On May 3, and May 5, a chainsaw safety course took place at North Addington Education Center. It was certification training, organized for students in the construction program and students in the Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program. Three students from North Addington were joined by instructors, Mike Mol and Gord Darling, along with 11 students from QECVI in Kingston. They spent two days learning about chainsaw safety, and received a certificate for passing this specific course. Students who obtain seven special certificates graduate with the designation of SHSM (Specialist High Skills Major). During the first day the group spent their time learning about the different regulations and the multiple safety aspects. The second day was a little more hands-on, as the group’s mission was to fell a tree, and cut it up after it was on the ground.

"At last year’s chainsaw safety course, I had a lot of fun learning about chainsaw safety, and I enjoyed my time with the other students taking the course. If I could take the course again, I would," said Mandy Pringle, a student from North Addington, and a participant of last year’s chainsaw course.

The students and faculty of North Addington are very pleased to congratulate Teegan Wise, Dylan Kehoe, and Collin Armstrong, as they were the three students who participated in the chainsaw safety course, and successfully received their certificates, certified by the Ontario Forestry Safe Workplace Association.

In the month of April, on the 22nd day, a very special thing is celebrated every year, Earth Day. Earth Day is a day to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's environment. It's celebrated in multiple countries each year and everyone participates in the appreciation of our planet.

On the morning of Thursday April 22, 2010 Grades 9-12 at North Addington Education Center participated in a scavenger hunt, organized by the Environmental Science teacher, Ms. Melissa Randle and a few of the students.

"I'm really impressed with the Musical Theater class, the Grade 10 Gym class, and the Fashion class for sorting their scavenger hunt items. The event was definitely a success; not only was it fun, the school is even looking cleaner," says Ms. Randle.

Later that day, secondary students were shown a brief video about recycling, made by the high school's very own Environmental Science class. Afterward, students celebrated Earth Day by spending part of their afternoon outside, with blue gloves and garbage bags picking up any garbage and recycling they saw around the school yard, the football field, the track, the front lawn, and even across the street around the library and the museum.

"It's great to see everyone working together for such a great cause, I'm very proud of our students," stated Mrs. Salmond.  

Overall, the participants in the school clean up did a wonderful job, had fun and did their part for the planet.

Back:  Terry Murphy, Charles James, Daryn Bolland, Drew Parks; Middle: Val Allan, Peter Rasenberg, Jennifer Thurston, Tia Cornish, Katie Ohlke; Front:  Ryan Raymo, Brady Douglas, Chris Jordan, Mandy Pringle and Victoria Peeling

On March 31, two school buses filled with students from NAEC went to St. Lawrence College, Kingston, to cheer their classmates on in the Limestone Skills Competition. The competitors were Ryan Raymo, Chris Jordan and Drew Parks (Construction), Brady Douglas (Welding), Tia Cornish and Victoria Peeling (Photography), Daryn Bolland, Jennifer Thurston and Mandy Pringle (Graphic Design), and Terry Murphy and Charles James (Prepared Speech).

All of the students made a very strong showing at the event, which attracted over 400 students from the Limestone District School Board, as well as neighbouring boards.  As several speakers noted, just participating in the event made all the students winners.  

Charles James won the Gold Medal for Prepared Speech, while Terry Murphy garnered the Bronze Medal. Charles will go on to represent the Limestone District School Board Team at the Provincial Skills Competition held in Kitchener in May. Both students spoke on the topic of “Skilled Trades and Technology Careers: the connections to Canada’s future”. Charles concentrated on the field of artificial intelligence, while Terry Focused on the career of a Naval Electronics Technician.

The Photography students were sent out with cameras to take photographs of the competitions, and then processed their pictures to be judged. The Graphics students went with prepared portfolios and displays, and had to “sell” their product to the judges. The Carpentry and Welding students were given instructions and diagrams to interpret and complete a project.

NAEC was proud to have students compete in (and demonstrate proficiency in) five of the categories. The two busloads of students completed a tour of St. Lawrence and went to encourage their classmates in their different endeavours. The Grade 8 class accompanied the secondary students, as part of the process of transition to high school and beyond.

For the second year in a row, Sydenham High School and North Addington Education Centre in Cloyne have achieved certification as Eco-Schools.

But while SHS received a bronze certification in 2009 and NAEC received gold, this year SHS was golden, and NAEC received silver level certification.

The Eco-Schools program was created by a consortium of education stakeholders to address environmental issues in the education system. Seven school boards, York University and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority collaborated to adapt and expand on the work of the Toronto District School Board, developing an environmental education program that is used province-wide.

Each year participating schools are evaluated in six key areas – teamwork and leadership, energy conservation, waste minimization, school grounds greening, curriculum, and environmental stewardship in the community.

Among the innovations that put SHS over the top this year was the eco-fair that was held in conjunction with Earth Day. The two schools were among eight in the Limestone Board to achieve the gold, silver or bronze level.

Riley Kay, Grade 2 student at NAEC, represented her school at the annual Royal Canadian Legion Public Speaking competitions in the Grades 1--3 category.  Riley first traveled to Northbrook then on to Sharbot Lake, Eganville and Brighton placing first at three of these four competitions.  The final competition would have qualified Riley for the provincial competition held in Kirkland Lake.  Although Riley made a strong presentation, she did not move on to this level.  This is an amazing accomplishment for Riley and everyone at NAEC is very proud of her.  Riley is looking forward to participating in next year's speeches.  Congratulations Riley!!

NAEC Elects a New Students’ Council By Victoria Peeling

NAEC’s 2010/11 Students’ Council. Back row:  Social Convener Nick Smart, Vice President Connor Gaylord, Treasurer Tanner Hinchey, front row:  Cave Manager Gordie Grewal, Secretary Mike Deshane and President J.R. Lee.  Photo: Morgan Wilson

As the 2009/10 school year comes to an end, next year’s Students’ Council at North Addington Education Center has been elected. On Monday morning, students from grade 8 to 12, as well as staff, were called down to hear candidate speeches and voting followed at lunch. 

Photographer Melissa Randle.

The 38th Annual Cloyne Showcase was held last weekend at North Addington Education Centre, highlighting many local and regional talented artisans. The show covers many artistic mediums including chainsaw carving, stained glass, fabric, jewellery, photography, painting, spa products and more.  Photographer Melissa Randle, who teaches science at North Addington, has been participating in the show for the last 3 years. “This is a great opportunity to display art, interact with the community and support our school. It’s also nice to have so many of the local Ambient Woods Creative Collective [Artisans from Plevna and Area] exhibiting at this show.”

Ten percent of artist sales are collected by the North Addington Guild, from which a donation is made to the Arts Programs at North Addington. Also participating at Showcase was the Mazinaw Swim Program, who ran the bake table and canteen. This year’s Showcase was organised by Ted and Nancy Sparling with a core group of volunteers.  Events like Showcase are invaluable to the youth programs in our community, thank you to everyone who attended.

For more information about the Ambient Woods Creative Collective visit www.ambientwoods.webs.com

Photo:  Heidi, Kayla, Rebecca and Dallas sell stickers designed by the NAEC Graphic Art class at the Northern Highlights Show.

The Northern Highlights Arts, Crafts and Community Fair held at North Addington Education Centre on Nov. 17 was a huge success this year. We received a lot of student, parent and community support throughout the entire event. A significant amount of money was raised for the school and for the various school groups present at the event. A big thank you to anyone who donated items for the silent auction and to anyone who came out and supported our local artisans, community groups and school groups. This event would not be successful without the support of everyone involved. Please check the school website next September for the date of the 2011 show. Anyone wishing to be involved with next year’s show please contact Melissa Randle at NAEC.

Photo: NAEC N house cheer [N House Spirit booster on Frisky Friday.

Last week, students from grades 9 to 12 and staff of North Addington Education Centre participated in Spirit Week, organized by Mrs Sarah Sproule's Grade 12 Leadership class.

Each day had a costume theme and a lunch time event (duct tape a teacher to a wall, dodge ball and fear factor eating) that could earn House teams points towards the culmination of Frisky Friday; a day of team building games and challenges. Teams started Friday with a very competitive cheer off between Houses, followed by a day of tug-o-war, capture the flag, backboard ball, dizzy bat, three-legged race, an obstacle course and a scavenger hunt. 

OSAID hosted a free BBQ and hot chocolate lunch to keep everyone’s strength up. At the end of a very fun and spirit charged week, N House came out with top points to win Frisky Friday. Students then enjoyed their winter formal hosted by the Students’ Council in Flinton.

Students at NAEC are working hard to help the local Food Bank again this year, with a repeat of the Empty Bowls Project. The Empty Bowls Project will culminate in a supper on November 19 at the Northern Highlights craft show, combining bowls and food produced by NAEC students and sold for $6. All proceeds will be donated to the Food Bank.

Grade 9, 11 and 12 Art students are making bowls in an array of styles and shapes. While each bowl is clearly individual, students have made an effort to keep the sizes comparable. They are decorating them in a variety of glazes, to make them even more unique works of art. It is estimated that there will be 50 of these one-of-a-kind bowls available.

Meanwhile, members of the Grade 12 Hospitality class are roasting, chopping and simmering to produce soup to go into the bowls. There is a choice of French Onion or Turkey Noodle soup. In addition to the bowl of hearty soup, diners will have a student-made dinner roll as an accompaniment, to make a satisfying fall dinner.

Last time this project ran at NAEC (in 2011), over $250 was donated to the Food Bank as a result of the community’s generosity. As previously, the bowls will be on display at the school in advance, so that interested community members can pre-purchase their bowls.

Principal Angela Salmond is proud of the students’ efforts. “It is always so encouraging to see classes collaborating together on projects,” she said. “It is so much more satisfying when they are doing so for the good of the community. NAEC has a history of helping with the Food Bank, and this continues that tradition.”

On Halloween night, October 31, students from North Addington Education Centre canvassed the community in their costumes; not for candy or treats, but for non-perishable food items. Students and adults were stationed in Flinton, Northbrook, and Cloyne. The response was overwhelming. Most homes had a bag or box of food ready, and were not reluctant to contribute to the community. The event and pick up were supervised by a staff member.

In total, students collected approximately 700 items, which will help the food bank through the winter season. Darian Asselstine, an NAEC student, said, “I couldn’t believe how much fun I had! A lot of people recognized the Campbell’s soup can costumes right away”. School Council chair Sarah Collins said, “I want to do it again next year- I think the supervising adults had just as much fun as the kids.” The items were then taken over to the food bank and unloaded by some of the grade 10 Careers and Civics students.

While this event helped stock the shelves, the winter and holiday seasons are a busy time for the food bank. An attempt was made to go to as many houses as possible, but if your donation was missed, please call North Addington at 613-336-8991 and ask for Candice Bovard; we will pick up your item(s). For those requiring assistance, please contact Land O’ Lakes Community Services at 613-336-8934. Those wishing to donate food, please call Karen Anderson at 613-391-1408 (leave a message if there is no answer).

Angela Salmond, the principal of NAEC, was excited to show her support for the event: “I am so proud of our students and would like to extend my thanks to their families and the community. Our students are able to contribute because of the support we receive from the community. The kids are happy and the shelves are full; that is success. Thank you for investing in our students - I am very grateful.”