Prior to their regular board meeting on April 8 at the Limestone District School Board offices in Kingston, school trustees handed out their annual Outstanding Service Awards.

Among the recipients were three local residents who were honored for their dedicated service. The first is Cheryl Allen of Sharbot Lake, who has served on the school councils at the former Sharbot Lake public, intermediate and high schools, and at the new Granite Ridge Education Centre in various roles, including many years as council chair.

Allen began her service on school council in 1994 when her eldest daughter became a student at Sharbot Lake Public School. Since that time she has served on various councils and spearheaded the purchase of a number of requests presented to the council, which have included the school's score clocks, playground equipment, and more. The citation honoring Allen stated that over the years she has continually “set a mood on council supportive of providing a safe and caring environment for all students”.

As a active participant in the PARC (Program and Accommodation Review Committee) she was a tireless supporter of the new Granite Ridge school, recognizing the benefits that a new school could provide for future students in the area.

In the past Allen has successfully nominated several other people for LDSB awards and when I interviewed her by phone earlier this week she said that she was shocked and honored to be on the receiving end this time around.

Asked what made her get and stay involved in her local school councils over the years, she said, “I, as a parent, felt it was important to get involved and to offer my help wherever it was needed.”

Allen, who is currently the school council's vice chair, said that with the upcoming graduation this June of her youngest daughter, she will be taking a break from council and will be looking at other possible ways to continue to offer her services as a volunteer in the community.

Andrea Woogh, a grade 2/3 teacher at Loughborough Public School in Sydenham, was also honored with an award. In her citation Woogh was recognized as a “distinguished leader amongst her peers and someone who promotes each student's uniqueness while ensuring she has the training and skill sets needed to offer her students a nurturing, learning environment.“

Woogh, who has undertaken training in Aboriginal education, dispute resolution, literacy and technology, has introduced students to a number of innovative learning experiences, which have included the Yellowknife pen-pal program, and through a partnership with local high schools, woodworking and computer programming opportunities. She has helped co-create the LPS Green Team in an effort to certify LPS as an “eco-school. As an active athlete herself, Woogh recognizes that students' “growth and development can also occur outside the classroom”. She has coached soccer, track and field, volleyball and basketball at LPS as well as hockey and soccer in her local community.

Sharon Isbell, a long-time teacher at Loughborough Public School, was also honored with an Outstanding Service Award. Isbell was cited by Kim Deline, who wrote that she is “an effective educator, leader and communicator" whose positive teaching style and compassionate interactions with students demonstrate her love of teaching on a daily basis.

In her dedication to being the best teacher she can be, Isbell pursues her own personal professional development and was cited as “inspiring her students and fellow colleagues by offering extra programming through various school clubs while also acting as a liaison for the school's drama and arts programming.”

Isbell is also involved in championing the school's Green Team in their effort to gain eco-school status and is an active member of the school's 100th anniversary committee.

I spoke with Sharon Isbell by phone earlier this week and she said, on behalf of herself and Ms Woogh, that they were extremely honored to have received the award. "We both feel so humbled. There are so many teachers who go above and beyond their daily requirements and we are just grateful and feel privileged to be able to work in this school community with so many committed staff members, parents, students and administrators.”

Helen Peterson, principal at LPS, was thrilled that two of her staff members received awards and said “Sharon Isbell and Andrea Woogh represent the epitome of excellence in teaching. They focus on quality education for all students. They are both examples of the reality that it is just as much about who you are as what you teach. They lead students and other staff by example. Sharon and Andrea are part of the outstanding staff at Loughborough that put the needs of our students, our future, first!"

Heather Highet, principal at Granite Ridge, was equally pleased with Cheryl Allen's award and said she was “thrilled that the LDSB has recognized Cheryl for her unwavering support and decades-long contributions to our school councils."

by Valerie Allan

On April 8, NAEC students and staff once again celebrated the International Day of Pink. An assembly was held, in which the whole school participated, and it was a sea of pink. Students wore pink clothes, accessories, and/or pins. The assembly was led by Madi Lemki, Cassandra Parks, Lucas Parks and Selena Pelicos. These students had recently returned from the “Dare to Stand Out” conference in Kingston, and were eager to share their message with their peers and the staff. The group outlined the origins of the Day of Pink, and then stressed that “A pink shirt doesn’t stop bullying – you do!” Their message was that a bystander is contributing to bullying, if they don’t stand up for their fellow students. At lunchtime, the Grade 8 class joined Secondary students to play “Pop the stigma”. Pink balloons were attached to the wall with common stigmas or stereotypes taped to them. A student would read the stigma, then pop the balloon and read the answer which was inside. It was a fun, if noisy, activity. Students also signed posters which had the pledge “A pink shirt doesn’t stop bullying – I do!” This is the fourth year in a row that NAEC has observed the International Day of Pink.

Submitted by NAEC

For the past few weeks students at NAEC have been preparing for the annual Limestone Skills Competition, held at St. Lawrence College. This competition tests the knowledge, in theory and practice of students for the skilled trade event that they have chosen. Nineteen students at North Addington Education Centre stood up and accepted the challenge.

In 2D Animation, Team of Two, Lucas Parks and Nickolas Wood won bronze medals for their excellent animation.

In the Digital Photography competition, Haily Whitelock, Summer Andrew and Bree Gillingham completed an editing test and then a photography task, finishing strong and with beautiful photographs.

In the Graphic Design Presentation event, Natalie Reynolds, Emma Fuller, Cassidy Wilson and Ryan Cruickshank presented posters and postcard design advertising the Ontario Skills Competition that they created beforehand along with their portfolios.

In the Electrical Systems event, Matt Crigger and Shane Arney competed wiring outlets and other electrical tasks. Shane won a bronze medal in this event.

In the Graphic Design Studio Production event, Shannon Delyea, Brittany Wood, Terri-Lynn Rosenblath and Brittany Delyea competed by creating a package design for a product as well as a full page advertisement for this product. Brittany Wood won bronze, Brittany Delyea won silver and Terri-Lynn won gold.

In Small Engines, an event that tests mechanical, technical and electrical skills, Jarrett Malcolm won bronze, Andre Tryon won silver and Wyatt Keller won gold.

In the Work Place Safety event Kameron Armstrong had to present a brochure on a safety issue and go on a workplace safety inspection. Kameron won silver.

Wyatt advances to the Regional Qualifier Competition at St. Lawrence on Saturday, April 18for Small engine repair.

Terri-Lynn and Kameron automatically advance and will represent Team Limestone at the Provincials in Waterloo, May 4 to 6.

The North Addington Education Centre community is very proud of all of the students who competed.

In an effort to teach practical life skills to students in the Limestone District School Board (LDSB), a new pilot project called Slow Cookers for Kids was launched at three Kingston area schools, and last week the three-day program was introduced to grade 7 and 8 students at Prince Charles Public School in Verona. The project is run by the Enactus St. Lawrence College (SLC) program and delivered by Chef Thomas Elia and his culinary students at St. Lawrence College in Kingston.

Slow Cookers for Kids is one of Enactus's many projects designed to “reduce poverty and hunger, while promoting entrepreneurship, literacy life skills by creating comprehensive solutions to issues within the greater community.”

The Slow Cookers For Kids program resulted from Chef Elia's Food Sense program, which he runs at St. Lawrence College. Food Sense shows post-secondary students how to survive on an OSAP food budget of $7.50/day, which Chef Elia said is “pretty hard to do if you don't know how to cook”.

Given the fact that hot plates are not allowed in the student rooms at St. Lawrence, Elia introduced the idea of healthy and inexpensive cooking with the help of a slow cooker. “The beauty of a slow cooker is that it is safe and that it works 100% of the time.” he said.

Next, Chef Elia partnered up with Jason Quenneville, the technology teacher at First Avenue Public School in Kingston, and with the help of his students brought the Slow Cooker for Kids program to schools in the LDSB. The program teaches grade 7 and 8 students how to prepare and cook a number of healthy, inexpensive meals with the help of a slow cooker.

I visited Prince Charles during the final day of the program on February 26, where the students were preparing chocolate cake and a curry lentil dish, both made using a slow cooker. Chef Elia had the full attention of the students as he put the finishing touches on both items. Other meals prepared by the students during the program included vegetarian lasagne, and black bean soup and each meal cost on average about 50 cents per serving.

The students, who participated in the program not only learned the ins and out of slow cooking, but at the end of the program each received a canvas bag filled with the ingredients to create their own meal at home; a recipe book titled "Recipes for an Empty Wallet"; and last but not least their very own Hamilton Beach slow cooker.

Robert Riddell, a second-year culinary student at St. Lawrence, was one of four students teaching the PCPS students. He was thrilled with the opportunity to work with the students at PCPS. “It's a real pleasure to work with the students here and the program gives me an opportunity to share my skills and my trade and is a great way to give back to the community.”

Chef Elia, who to date has brought the program to three schools in the LDSB, was equally enthusiastic about how the program has been received. “What is truly amazing is that we did not know if we would be able to get young kids to eat this kind of stuff - lentils, curry and beans - and we have found the response to be phenomenal. Not only do the students love to cook, but they also love the meals and are taking the crock pots home, where they are making meals for their families.”

Elia said he hopes to see the program continue on at LDSB schools and that it is quickly grabbing the attention of other schools across Canada.

Funding for the program came from a partnership between Enactus SLC and the LDSB, and Elia said that a trust fund is currently being set up at the LDSB so that more slow cookers can be purchased for the program.

One student said, prior to digging into her bowl of lentil curry, that the program will definitely encourage more cooking at home for herself and her family.

For more information visit enactusslc.ca

by Derek Maggs

The Friends of Bon Echo Park are pleased to announce the presentation of two $500 bursaries to Jared Salmond of Flinton and Abby Follett of Omemee, Ontario.

The Friends of Bon Echo Provincial Park have been providing bursaries to deserving students of the North Addington Education Centre and summer employment students at the Park. Eligible candidates must be engaged in a post- secondary program that resonates with the goals of the Friends. In recent years the bursaries have been donated by the McLaren family in memory of Doris and Keith McLaren, long time volunteers with the Friends.

Jared Salmond graduated recently from the North Addington Education Centre in Cloyne and is currently studying Engineering at Queen's University.  Jared's knowledge and commitment to Bon Echo Provincial Park began many years ago.  From the time he was a young child, Jared has spent many weeks every summer camping with his family. As soon as he was old enough, Jared was involved with the Mazinaw Lake Swim Program, first as a student, then as a volunteer, an instructor and as the Program Supervisor.  For the last three years, Jared has worked at Bon Echo--initially as the Wood Lot Attendant and most recently as a Gate Attendant.  For Jared, summer has meant Bon Echo.  He understands the importance of community and volunteerism and has spent countless hours working with community children in a variety of activities. Although pursuing further education has taken Jared out of his community, his hope is to return and continue this contribution in new ways.  Whatever the future brings for Jared, one thing is certain. The roots he has in Bon Echo have enriched and encouraged his genuine interest in people and the environment.   

Abby Follett is in the Environmental Science/Studies program at Trent University, currently completing her third year. Her courses are focused on environmental law and species-at-risk with the hope of going into one of these fields once she completes her degree. This past summer was her first at Bon Echo. She served as a Natural Heritage Educator and found the experience amazing and very fulfilling. She hopes to return this summer. Abby was fortunate enough to spend the majority of her childhood summers traveling across Canada with her family on camping trips. She loved being outside, taking part in programs and activities where she could help the environment. She was a junior member of the horticulture society, and helped plan Earth Day clean up programs in her neighbourhood. In high school, she was part of the Green Team and initiated recycling programs. Abby is committed to do her part to enhance awareness and to motivate others in efforts to serve the  

On February 10 both the Sydenham High School's and the Frontenac Secondary School's senior boys' basketball teams went in undefeated into an exciting game that unfolded on the courts at Sydenham, where the Sydenham senior boys showed what it takes to remain undefeated.

In what was their season's final home game, the Sydenham seniors faced off against the Frontenac Falcons.

Sydenham came on strong early on and by the end of the first quarter the Golden Eagles were up by 10. Sydenham continued to pour it on in the second quarter and their aggressive play put them ahead by 20, with their win seeming imminent as their plan to play aggressively and to attack the basket paid off big time, garnering a 20-point lead that put the score at 35-15 for Sydenham at the half.

"The plan was to use our size and length to exploit and match up against the Falcons”, Sydenham's head coach, Shaun Kennedy said following the game.

That plan panned out but in the third quarter the Falcons fought back hard. Sydenham seemed a bit fatigued, and their complacency made for a quick come back for the Falcons, who battled back and in an eight-point run that had the Eagles licking their wings by the end of the third, they cut Sydenham's 20-point lead to 12.

“The Falcons definitely smothered us in the third,” Coach Kennedy said, “and we definitely started making some desperate plays. The Falcons managed to take away our think time and they chiseled the score down to where we had to rethink a bit about our patience.”

In the fourth Sydenham battled through and stilled the Falcons' comeback down, with Sydenham winning in a final score of 51-41.

Following the game Kennedy said it was “a heavyweight match up that has been brewing all season”.

The Sydenham seniors will face off against QECVI in their last game of the regular season and Coach Kennedy said that his team will now have a guaranteed spot in the playoffs (likely in first). Coach Kennedy is hoping his team goes on to play in the KASSAA finals.

Chiaroscuro, the technique of painting light and shadow, is one of the techniques that has been used by realistic painters for hundreds of years. It was the topic introduced to the 20 students at Land O'Lakes Public School on February 9 at their first session of the school’s popular art club, which is now in its third year there. Headed up by grade 7/8 teacher Mr. Hull, an award-winning painter in his own right, the club is open to students from grades three through eight and this year the club attracted 20 enthusiastic young artists, many returning for another year.

Mr. Hull began the class by explaining the technique of chiaroscuro and demonstrated how artists have used it to create the illusion of three-dimensional space on a flat two-dimensional canvas. The basic idea is that light and shadow within a single artwork result from one or more imagined light sources and that the objects within the canvas are articulated three dimensionally based on where they sit in relation to that/those light sources.

Hull began by showing the students slides of various paintings, a few Rembrandt portraits and some of his own portraits of different staff members from the school. He asked the students to identify the position of the imagined light source in each work, which he explained is best done by looking at where the darkest shadows and brightest highlights fall within the painting. “Rembrandt is the classic example to use when demonstrating this technique,” Hull said, “since his paintings often depict a luminous figure in a deep sea of black. Chiaroscuro is just one element of design but it is a very important one when trying to make images appear three-dimensional.”

Following his talk Hull set up a spotlight in the classroom and invited the students to draw a number of balls set up on desks around the class. Using white and black charcoal on grey paper the students set to work and almost instantly a distinctive hum of focused creativity took over the room. As the children worked, Hull and his assistant Mr. Campbell answered questions and gave helpful suggestions to the students. Next, the students will move to the gym where they will paint still lifes that will be lit from a single light source, thereby furthering their understanding of the technique of chiaroscuro.

“Typically a lot of art work you see these days can tend to be flat and muddy but when you throw a strong light source on the subject matter and introduce the technique of chiaroscuro, the students begin to develop a much better understanding of how to make their paintings more three dimensional. In teaching this technique, I also want to open their eyes to the idea that everything they see in everyday life is a result of this idea and that they can apply this technique and paint from life using it.”

Hull is planning an art show at the school when the club wraps up in the coming months, where students, staff and the community will be invited to view the students’ finished works.

Thanks to professional drum facilitator and instructor, Leo Brooks, and a grant from Blue Skies in the Community, grade 7 and 8 students at Granite Ridge Educational Centre in Sharbot Lake are now able to keep the beat on their very own hand made drums.

The students just completed a four-week art/music project they began with Brooks early in January where each student built a hand drum using a section of sonotube that the students first primed and painted in a design of their own making. Once the tubes were completed Brooks returned to the school to show the students how to stretch a piece of wet goat skin over one end of the tube, which was then stapled in place and left to dry and tighten overnight. The drums were ready to play the very next day.

The long-term project gave these intermediate students the opportunity to spend many hours on a single project, and their perseverance and determination really paid off. Their drums are as nice to look at as they sound – and they sound just great.

The project culminated in a drum workshop on January 27 led by Brooks, where the close to 50 students learned how to play their drums. Brooks began by teaching the students basic drum care, for the short and long term. He then showed the students the many different ways to create various sounds on the drum either first by using their hands which depending on their placement and delivery can greatly affect the sound produced. Similarly he demonstrated how the drum can be struck with a small stick either on the skin or its side to give different sounds as well.

He spoke of the history and origins of various rhythms, many originating from African countries, and taught the students how to create them first by giving the individual beats words and then by inviting the students to play the beat while saying their corresponding words. Once the students were able to memorize and play one distinctive rhythmic pattern, Brooks would add his own different beat under their unified rhythm, showing how a multi-layered rhythmic effect can be created. The students were transfixed. The musical element of drumming is a real draw for students who seem to delight in being able to come together in one single rhythmic whole. “When the students are drumming in time and creating one strong single rhythmic pattern you can really see the delight on their faces. Playing perfectly in time with one another can really help bring the students together as a group,” Teacher Julia Schall said following the workshop. “Learning to drum as a group is not only about being able to play yourself but it also depends on really listening to one another”.

Student drumming at GREC will not end with the workshop and Ms. Schall said she would be incorporating the drums into her bucket drumming music class at the school. “The beauty of now having these drums here is that we will be able to take them out any time, learn new rhythms and play together.”

Perhaps as the weather warms up, passers-by might hear the magical unified beat of the drum thanks to these GREC students and their fearless drum guru, Leo Brooks, who showed these students not only how to build their own drums but also how to keep the beat.

by Valerie Allan

On Jan. 16, 24 students from Grades 3-7 presented projects in a Science Fair held in the library of NAEC.

Preparations started in June, when Ms. Randle (a Secondary Science teacher) collaborated with Elementary teachers (Ms. Beeg, Mr. Rewbotham, Mr. Pelow, Mr. Hill and Ms. Cuthill) to design a Science Fair modeled after the regional Science Fair (FLASF).

The purpose of the fair was to provide students with a unique opportunity to engage in scientific investigation. Ms. Randle remarked, “Science Fairs are a great way to promote critical thinking skills. Science Fairs allow students to explore and investigate things they are interested in, process information using critical thinking skills, and create something they are proud of. It allows them to learn about the scientific method in a hands-on way.”

Students chose experiments, studies or innovations as a basis for their projects, and were judged by a panel of judges for Top Project, and by visitors for Fan Favourite. The top project for Mrs. Beeg’s class went to Abbi Woods and the Fan Favourites for Mrs. Beeg’s class went to Bella DeSa and Owen Bright.

The top project for Mr. Rewbotham’s class went to Sarah Reed and the Fan Favourites for Mr. Rewbotham’s class went to Hayden Riley and Ryan Kay.

The top project for Mrs. Pelow’s class went to Josie Heyman and the Fan Favourites for Mrs. Pelow’s class went to Amanda Clancy and Beth Shiner.

The top project for Ms. Cuthill’s class went to Sierra Baldacchin and Fan Favourites for Ms. Cuthill’s class went to Jessie Cumming and Riley Kay.

According to Youth Science Canada, which is a big supporter of science fairs, “Every year, over 500,000 young Canadians participate in project-based science…encouraging them to get their hands dirty and develop scientific and technological knowledge and skills through project-based science.”