The Retired Women Teachers, Kingston Branch held their fall meeting at the Edith Rankin United Church, Collins Bay.

President Bonnie Greavett welcomed Provincial President Dianne Rice and Teresa Dorey, Area 8 Director, who is replacing Dorothy Pearson. Members of the Napanee Branch were also welcomed.

Karen Thompson, Treasurer, reminded members that annual fees ($40) were due and that the payment was necessary in order to be eligible for the Group Insurance Plan. Benefits have increased, but premiums have not.

Dianne Rice brought greetings from the provincial office as well as a gift of $200 for our branch as part of the Diamond Jubilee Celebration of R.W.T.O. To celebrate this anniversary, the Kingston and Napanee branches will hold their spring meeting at the Lennox and Addington County Museum for a catered "Afternoon Tea", April 27, from 2 to 4 pm.

In 1956, a small group of retired women teachers organized, and through hard work and determination brought pension change that made a difference in the lives of all retired women teachers. Thus, R.W.T.O. was formed.

Dianne Rice expressed the need for all branches to focus on retaining and gaining members. She expressed thanks to retiring Dorothy Pearson for her provincial service, and welcomed Theresa Dorey as the new provincial director for Area 8 (Kingston and area). She also paid tribute to the branches for their service to others with caring and sharing programs. She mentioned Kingston's "Bags Plus" program that supported children, local agencies and senior citizens. Napanee's "Tales and Tunes for Tots" is outstanding. Both groups support local food banks and women and children in crisis.

Bev Ritchie, in charge of Kingston's "Military Project", read a 'thank-you' letter from the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery. Our care package arrived in the Middle East and was given to a Padre, who shared it after a church service. The troops had been in the area for several months and it was a welcome surprise. Most rewarding was that people back home were thinking of them.

Joelle Hubner-McLean was introduced. Originally from France, she graduated from Trent University and York University. As a retired teacher, she continues her interest in writing plays, stories and about historical issues. She is a published author in Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec and Ottawa. A sample of her children's books was presented to the group. Her other achievements will be acknowledged at the spring meeting where she will do a presentation.

Marge Baldwin, president of the Napanee branch, thanked the Edith Rankin catering group for the delicious roast beef dinner.

It is not the first time that Mr. Hull, a grade 7/8 teacher at Land O'Lakes Public School in Mountain Grove has relied on the use of Canadian Geographic's huge and handy historical floor maps to teach his students about Canadian and world history.

Canadian Geographic offers a number of free teaching aids to teachers and last year Mr. Hull's students used similar maps to learn about the War of 1812.

This year Mr. Hull has been using one of the company’s newest teaching aids, titled “Drawn to Victory”, which helps to bring the history of World War 1 to life for students.

When I visited Mr. Hull's classroom on January 28, the students were watching a documentary titled “In King and Country” about the battle at Passchendaele.

Later in the gym Mr. Hull instructed the students to unfold a huge floor map depicting the European countries involved in World War 1. For this unit the students were looking at the war’s impact on the populations of Great Britain, Germany, France and Belgium and in particular, population statistics of these countries both before and after the war.

With the assistance of plastic chains, the students were first asked to outline the borders of the European countries involved in the conflict. Then, using a number of colored blocks (each representing 1 million civilians), they showed the populations in each country before the war broke out. Removing blocks showed the number of people killed during the war in each country.

Hull said that the interactive maps help students better understand the geographic area of conflict and its impact on the populations of the countries involved by giving the students numerous hands-on opportunities to interact with the maps and their related tools. The package not only includes the floor maps but also a number of different topics of focus that include war cartography, map reading, Canadians in battle and Europe then and now.

Hull’s goal is to make history real for the students and he stressed that some of the students who may have had relatives involved in the conflict better understand the history. Hull had nothing but good things to say about these teaching aids, which bring his students out of the classroom to explore history in a unique and interactive way.

For more information about the many teaching aids available from Canadian Geographic visit cangeoeducation.ca/resources

In an effort to get the message about the dangers of drug use out early to students who will soon to be entering high school, members of the OPP's Frontenac detachment have been visiting area schools.

In a presentation to grade 7/8 students at Land O'Lakes Public School on February 5, Frontenac Community Services Officer, Constable Roop Sandhu, spoke to students about the dangers that alcohol, tobacco, and prescription drugs can pose for both youth and adults alike. These substances have highly addictive qualities and Constable Sandhu outlined how overuse and/or non-prescribed use of them can lead to illness, addiction and in some cases even death.

He spoke of the legal consequences when minors become involved with these substances and how their unlawful use under the Criminal Code can lead to criminal charges, jail sentences and even a life-long criminal record. Sandhu also covered the subject of mixing highly caffeinated drugs with alcohol, which can pose dangerous health risks. He spoke of how the use of these substances can negatively affect one’s life physically, socially, emotionally and financially - of how it can be devastating to a student’s academic performance, their future outcomes and their families.

Constable Sandhu ended his section of the presentation by advising how students should react when presented with any of these substances. He stressed that non-use is the best choice, especially if the students do not know what the substances are or where they came from. He also advised students to never accept a drink from a stranger, and to immediately seek adult assistance if they should accidentally ingest a dangerous substance.

He suggested many healthier ways that youngsters can spend their time, either by taking up a hobby, joining a sports team, participating in other extra-curricular activities, volunteering in the community, or spending more time with family.

The second half of the presentation focused specifically on illegal drugs, and Constable Snider, a drug enforcement OPP officer with Frontenac County, spoke to students about the consequences of using and/or dealing in illegal drugs. He described the various categories of these drugs, which include cannabis, opiates, barbiturates, hallucinogens, and steroids. He outlined the laws and consequences related to using, possessing, trafficking in, or manufacturing these substances. He stressed that today’s high potency cannabis can have serious adverse health affects. A six-year study published in the British Journal of Medicine in 2014 showed that daily cannabis users are five times more likely to suffer from psychosis than those who have never used it. He warned students that though the current federal government is looking to legalize marijuana, for now it is still illegal. He spoke of the many new and altered forms of street drugs that are constantly emerging and how they are being manufactured specifically to avoid detection by law enforcement and to appeal to youth. Synthetic cannabinoids, for example, are often sold under various names to avoid detection

Constable Snider spoke of horrible physical effects that Krokodil, a potent morphine derivative known as the “drug of the poor”, can cause. To help bring his point home he recalled a poem written by a young crystal meth addict while she was spending time in jail. The last lines of the poem concluded with this dire warning:

“If you try me be warned - this is no game,
If given the chance, I'll drive you insane.
I'll ravish your body, I'll control your mind,
I’ll own you completely; your soul will be mine.”

Following the presentation, Constable Sandhu said, “Young people need to be able to determine the fact from the fiction around these substances. Sometimes they are getting information from others that is simply not true and often downright wrong. These young kids have enough to deal with when entering high school, which is enough of a challenge to them, and they need to know well in advance of that time that drugs are just not the way to go.” Schools interested in a presentation can contact Constable Sandhu at 613-372-1932 ext.6955

Last week, Grade 7 and 8 students test-drove the awesome technology classes offered at NAEC. Students chose from a variety of tech-based courses as a transition program into secondary. They tore apart and rebuilt motors in Small Engines, made smartphone speakers in Woodshop and lit up the welding torches in the Metal shop. In the Graphics class students got to create an animation, learn photography with Photoshop and design a three-dimensional castle or vehicle to be printed on the 3D printer. In the Hospitality room, students baked cookies and did a taste test challenge. Students enjoyed their mini courses so much, many volunteered to return to do more over their lunch hour. Secondary students helped to facilitate these activities as mentors, sharing what they have learned from these courses. Stay tuned for more exciting transition activities; for real-time news follow us on Twitter @NAEC_LDSB

In an effort to inspire local students with the message that they too can realize their dreams while helping others, former Sharbot Lake resident Dorothy Buchanan Quattrocchi has been visiting area schools to speak about her son, Mark Quattrocchi, who for the last 18 months has been cycling solo across the globe in support of the international charity and educational partner, Free the Children.

The charity aims to empower communities to lift themselves out of poverty by developing collaborative and sustainable programs both at home and abroad.

Dorothy, who was a former teacher, principal and vice-principal for 30 years with the Catholic District School board of Eastern Ontario, was invited to both Granite Ridge Education Centre and St. Major Catholic School in Sharbot Lake on February 1 to tell students about her son's incredible story.

Mark Quattrocchi grew up in Rideau Ferry and has taught English in both South Korea and China. On July 7, 2014, he set out from Sanya, China on a bicycle he purchased there, and armed with a tent and other supplies began a two-year journey across four continents.

Inspired by a wish to explore the world and to bring education and literacy to children along the way where schools do not exist, he is hoping to raise $50,000 to support the building of five different schools in five separate locations. To date Quattrocchi has biked over 26,000 kilometres and raised over $33,000 in support of Free the Children. He traveled from China westward along the old Silk Road through Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and India before flying to Turkey and then continuing his trip through Eastern Europe. He entered North Africa and cycled across the continent. He then flew from Cape Town to Argentina where he continued his journey.

Currently he is in Peru, working his way towards Ecuador. From there he will head north through the United States and Canada and is hoping to arrive home in Rideau Ferry in time to celebrate his 28th birthday in June of this year.

On his website, www.oneadventureplease.com he blogs about his experiences and keeps interested followers up to date about his whereabouts. He writes, “Through my experiences, thoughts and ambitions about adventure, I strive to give motivation to people to follow their dreams. It is not just about travel, but showing people the tools available to succeed in life and find their true calling. To find what we are all looking for. To make life happen for yourself, to live your dreams and open yourself to new surroundings. I love this world. It is an amazing place and I hope you are able to find power through my experiences.”

In Dorothy’s presentation to the students, which included a number of Go Pro videos that Mark filmed from a camera mounted on his bike, the students were able to get a glimpse of many of the exotic places that he has visited.

Dorothy explained to the students that Mark is surviving on $5/day and also relies on the hospitality and support of people he meets along the way. She spoke of the challenges he faces riding on average 130 km a day; challenges not only from the extreme heat and cold in certain places, but also from having to be 100% self-reliant and prepared for whatever comes his way.

For Dorothy, Mark’s trip has opened up new worlds for both her and her husband. They have met up with him three times so far on his journey, in China, India and South Africa.

Mark’s trip is a great way to show students how to realize their dreams. Lori Bryden, vice-principal of St. James Major, said that the students at the school were looking to do some fundraising this year on a global level, and Mark’s trip has given them the perfect opportunity. “In the past the students have done a lot of local fundraising and the oldest students this year have expressed an interest in fundraising globally. When I learned of Mark's trip through Facebook I thought that it would be the perfect thing for them to support.”

The students are planning to do just that and others who may want to support Mark's efforts can visit his website at www.oneadventureplease.com

Following an assembly at Granite Ridge Education Centre on January 22 where students were informed of upcoming changes in the school’s administration, staff from the school gathered at Sharbot Lake's Crossing Pub to bid farewell to long-time school principal, Heather Highet.

Highet will be transferring to Bayridge Secondary School in Kingston and February 3, 2016 will be her final day at GREC. Highet took up her post in Sharbot Lake back in 2010 just after the PARC (Program & Accommodation Review) Committee was formed and the new school (GREC) that would replace the former Sharbot Lake High School was in the process of being designed.

At the farewell event last Friday afternoon, Highet said that working through that process was wonderful and that seeing the whole community come together and work through it was a definite highlight of her career.

Highet, who resides in Kingston, said that her new posting to Bayridge SS, a grade 9-12 school with a population of about 600 students in the city’s west end, is just a short five-minute drive from her home. She said that is one of the best things about the new move: “I won't be driving Road 38 any more, which is something both I and my husband are very pleased about.”

Asked about the legacy she leaves behind and some of her favorite memories, she said, “I am really pleased about how the entire school community has come together as a family and am proud of the new facility, which is also being used by the greater community as well.” She also said that working with the elementary students and their families, which was something entirely new for her, proved both challenging and rewarding.

Regarding the challenges she faces going forward, Highet said, “Moving mid-year is interesting because right now my mind is in two places, which is tough but also exciting. The biggest challenge going forward will be getting to know the students and their families at the new school.”

Highet also said she feels that she is leaving GREC in good hands. Vice-principal James McDonald has been appointed as the school’s new interim principal and Jamie McCullough, a long-time teacher at the school, will replace McDonald as the new vice-principal.

Highet is pleased with the appointments and said, “I am thrilled with the new admin team coming in because they know the school and the community and it is a great thing for Granite Ridge to have that kind of continuity.”

James MacDonald said that he is excited about his new appointment. He formerly worked for seven years at Clarendon Central Public school as teacher in charge, then was vice-principal at both Hinchinbrooke and Land O' Lakes public schools for years before moving to SLHS as vice-principal. MacDonald said, “Heather and I essentially created a lot of the programs that have happened and are happening at the school so this feels like a fluid and natural change for me.” He said that dealing with some of the extra administrative duties that he is taking on would be challenging but that he looks forward to those challenges.

Jamie McCullough has worked at the school for years in various capacities and when students found out earlier that day that he was appointed as the school’s new vice-principal, a large round of cheers filled the auditorium. McCullough grew up in Mountain Grove and attended Sharbot Lake High School. He has taught at both LOLPS and SLHS; at the latter he taught the school to community program and various courses before being promoted as the learning program support teacher, which he has worked at for the last two years.

McCullough said he is looking forward to continuing to work with staff and students at the school and said that he feels confident in his new role since over the years he has built positive relationships with both students and staff. “The students know that I am someone that they can come and talk to, which I think is really important.”

The farewell event and celebration included musical entertainment by former teacher Jim MacPherson; a slide show and awards presentation to Highet courtesy of colleagues Wade Leonard and Ben Moser; gift presentations from staff and members of the school parent council; and numerous addresses from current and former staff at the school.

If you asked the students at Harrowsmith Public School about baby Addie, they will be able to tell you all about her thanks to the Roots of Empathy program that has been taking place there for the last four years.

The program, which is offered not only across Canada but globally across three continents, strives to foster empathy in students by inviting a neighborhood infant into the school for nine monthly visits. Over that time, the students are encouraged to observe the baby's development and to label the baby’s feelings and intentions. In so doing they learn to better identify and understand their own feelings and the feelings of others. The idea is that the students will become less likely to hurt one another physically, emotionally or psychologically.

In the short term the program has been shown to reduce levels of aggression and bullying among primary and elementary school children while increasing their social/emotional competence and empathy. Over the long term the program's aim is to encourage responsible citizenship and responsive parenting.

I visited Harrowsmith PS last week when six-month-old baby Addie and her mother, Valerie Hopkins, were visiting Ms. Lalonde's junior/senior kindergarten class. The visit began with Valerie bringing baby Addie around to each student, who each, in turn, had a chance to greet her.

Wendy Sims, who is a trained instructor with the Roots of Empathy program and an early childhood educator in Ms. Lalonde's classroom, led the visit, which was baby Addie's fourth to the school. Her first was back in November.

The students had a chance to comment on the changes they observed in her development and when she was placed on a carpet with the students gathered around her, her mother unpacked her baby bag and along with Sims explained to the students all of the articles and how they are used to help care for Addie.

One especially unique aspect of the program is that during the visits, it is the baby who becomes the teacher in the classroom. Sims, who has been an instructor with the program for three years, said the students over time develop a very strong bond with the baby and come to realize that they were at one time as young, as small and as vulnerable. “The students develop a real love for the baby and actually start seeing her as their baby and someone that they care and look out for. It's amazing to see how excited they become when she visits the classroom and the positive effect it has.” Sims said that the program also covers numerous related topics like the responsibility that comes with parenting and caring for a child. Valerie Hopkins said that Addie loves the classroom visits as much as the students do and that the program is as enjoyable for her and Addie as it is for them.

All babies are welcome in the program and Sims pointed out that even if babies are fussy, it brings an opportunity for the students to see how Mom reacts to and cares for them. Ms. Lalonde said she sees a real difference in her students as a result of the program. “You can see how gentle the students are with baby Addie and that gentleness really transfers over into the classroom day to day. We, adults and children alike, all need empathy and this program really encourages that.”

Started in 1996 by social entrepreneur, Mary Gordon, the program’s main aim is to encourage emotional literacy in youngsters, which has been found to lay the foundation for more safe and caring classrooms where empathy can educate both the heart and mind of the students. Studies on the effectiveness of the program have found that children involved in the program show an increase in prosocial behavior, social and emotional understanding, the knowledge of parenting, and cognitive and emotional empathy, as well as showing a decrease in aggression. A long-term evaluation also showed that the program’s beneficial effects were often maintained and continued for years in participating students.

Seeing the program first hand was a real eye opener and it was truly amazing to see how one little bundle of joy can encourage empathy in youngsters. For more information about the program visit www.rootsofempathy.org

Members of the student council at Sydenham High School have been busy heading up a holiday food drive at the school to support the South Frontenac Food Bank. Four members of the student council, including co-presidents, Will Sanderson and Annie Preston, and ministers of outreach and charity, Rachel Don and Morgan Arthur, have been accepting food donations in a number of large gift-wrapped boxes in the school's main foyer. To date, close to 600 items have been collected and in an effort to encourage as many donations as possible, the school's four colour house teams entered into a competition to see who could make the most donations. To further encourage donations, individual students received a ballot for every three donations they gave, which they can enter into a raffle that will take place on December 17. The winner will take home a Sydenham Swag Bag valued at $45.

That same day the students will be delivering the food directly to the food bank. Co-president Sanderson said that one of the aims of the drive is also to raise awareness about issues of local poverty and hunger. With that in mind, Rachel Don and Morgan Arthur made numerous announcements citing facts about hunger and poverty, and individual grade reps also spoke to individual classrooms about these issues. As well, a number of posters were hung throughout the school. The four student council members also spoke every morning to arriving students about local poverty issues.

In April, 2016, the students at the school will be focusing their efforts on global poverty issues and will be holding their 30-Hour Famine event, which will coincide with a second school-wide food drive. Hats off to the students of SHS who have demonstrated that everyone can make a difference in the lives of local residents in need.

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Prior to their annual Jingle Bell Walk at the Granite Ridge Education Centre in Sharbot Lake on December 4, students and staff gathered in the school courtyard to celebrate their two-week-long fundraising efforts for the North Frontenac Food Bank. Over the last two weeks students have been collecting donations and this year over 1000 food items were collected. To celebrate that fact, students and staff from the school gathered in the outdoor courtyard, where students from the school’s Lakers program loaded a pick up truck with the boxed food donations and then accompanied it to the food bank in Sharbot Lake.

This is the second consecutive year that the students in the Lakers program have been fundraising and volunteering with the food bank. Lakers program teacher, Ms. Kacur, said the students have also been volunteering every week throughout the year at the food bank, where they have been busy stocking shelves and organizing the donations. Kacur said that the efforts of the students allow them to understand that they are part of the local community and that their efforts are not only much appreciated but are also a way for them to give back to their local community.

Grade 10 student, Franky Badour, is in the Lakers program and is a regular weekly volunteer at the food bank. He said he likes helping out and explained that his efforts are also a way of acquiring his school community volunteer hours.

Part of the fundraising event also included a toy donation drive for children in need in the community. GREC teacher Ms. Kirby, who teaches French and physical education to the high school students, headed up the toy and food drive this year. She said that a school-wide competition was set up, awarding a prize to the class that raised the most food donations.

This year it was Mr. Flegal's grade four class who collected the most - close to one quarter of the overall donations - and his students will be celebrating their efforts with a special treat of hot chocolate and cookies. Congratulations to all the students and the donors. Their efforts will go a long way in assisting those in need in the community. The toy drive continues on until the year-end and to date 20 toys have been collected.

It started with an idea; Andre Tryon, Students’ Council Co-President, wanted North Addington to have a float in the Northbrook Santa Claus Parade. Building a float is a big undertaking, and so the Viking team rolled up their sleeves and jumped in. Denver Lucas, a Grade 11 Graphic Design student, created a 3D computer model with dimensions. “When I started to design the boat I thought it was a unique idea. I had fun making the float design in Sketch Up,” said Denver.

The next step was taking the plans over to the Grade 9 Technology class where they constructed the 16 foot Viking boat, with shields, Dragon head and mast. A large group student volunteers stayed after school to paint the boat, sail and details on the float, working into the evening. Then it was off to the Senior Transportation class to secure the boat to an 18’ trailer and rig up the lights, speakers and special effects.

Students’ Council members, and other students rode the float in the parade to show their school spirit in last Saturday’s parade.

“With great collaboration among Students’ Council, enthusiastic students and more than willing teachers, the float was a huge success! Plans for next year have already started!” said Andre.