Sydenham High School Principal Shawn Lehman, in his newly decorated office.

That seems to be the case for Shawn Lehman.

Lehman joined the Limestone District School Board this fall as the new principal of Sydenham High School after working 10 years in the Upper Canada District School Board from his home base of Brockville. He was greeted with a thick carpet of sod, a golf cart, some clubs and a flag when he opened the door to his office at SHS early on Monday morning.

“I don't know who did this,” he said later in the day, “but I think they have some IT experience.”

Lehman joined his predecessors, other new principals and vice principals at the school who found that some mischievous underlings made a few changes to their office a few days or weeks after their arrival at the school. “This was a pretty extensive job” he said, “They removed everything in the office save for two bookshelves, laid this thick carpet of sod, and brought in the golf cart.”

For Lehman it's all part of the relaxed atmosphere at SHS that he has already come to enjoy. “People have been very welcoming. This is a school with a strong committed staff, which makes my job easy,” he said.

Over the next few months Principal Lehman will be working on a school improvement plan, dealing with both educational and facility issues.

For the time being he is continuing to live in Brockville, with his wife, and will be commuting to the school, at least for the first year. 

 

Back to HomeFeature Article - October 1, 2009 Fundraiser for multi-sensory room at LoughboroughBy Jeff Green

Photo: Lisa Fenwick with donated Ssensory board.

It's not often that students and staff in the Limestone District School Board talk about how much better the facilities and range of programming are in the northern schools, but when it comes to special education, North Addington Education Centre in Cloyne has something that Loughborough Public School in Sydenham desperately wants.

And if Lisa Fenwick can do anything about it, it is something they will be getting over the next year or so.

Fenwick has worked as an educational assistant at both Prince Charles Public School in Verona and at Loughborough. She is on leave this year in order to complete her undergraduate degree at Queen's, after which she intends go to teachers’ college to become a special education teacher.

In the meantime she is volunteering and orchestrating a $40,000 fundraising campaign to equip a multi-sensory room at Loughborough Public School.

The project was kick-started last winter when the school administration was able to free up a room for multi-sensory equipment, and by April the first $10,000 had already been raised.

This Saturday afternoon there will be a community event in the parking lot at Loughborough Public School to raise money for the room.

Many events are planned, including performances by the Sydenham High School band Island View, and Bauder Road. There will also be children’s events, with face painting, a crafts corner and climbing equipment. The fire department will be there with a display, as will the people from the Pampered Chef. There will be a strong man demonstration featuring a bus pull, and the OPP will be on hand with a radar gun to measure baseball throws. Food will be available at the canteen and there will also be a BBQ between 4:30 and 6:00 pm.

The silent auction includes one very timely item: 2.5 cubic cords of wood (delivered) courtesy of Bill Holland and son; a weekend getaway to a resort in Barry’s Bay; an introductory parachuting flight; and 2 tickets to a Sens game (on the 200 level), along with numerous other items. Three bicycles will be raffled off as well.

“Multi-sensory rooms are such a benefit to students with a variety of different challenges, that I think people who support this will find their money will have impacts for many years,” said Lisa Fenwick early this week.

Students with physical and developmental disabilities are the primary beneficiaries of multi-sensory rooms, which feature visual, audio and tactile apparatus, all designed to fit the room and the needs of the children who will be using the room.

The five school to community students at Loughborough as well as the school to community class at Sydenham High School will be using the room, and it will also be available to students from Prince Charles, Elginburg, Perth Road and Harrowsmith public schools.

“I think the rooms are absolutely wonderful. For some children I've worked with, including autistic and physically disabled students, multi-sensory rooms make a huge difference.”

In addition to special needs students, students with behavioural issues, family issues, and others may find it to be a safe haven at times.

“Of the 540 students at Loughborough, about 70 could make use of the room,” said Lisa Fenwick.

Fenwick said she hasn't made plans for further fundraisers after this Saturday, but she is determined to complete the fundraising project before the end of the school year. 

Back to HomeFeature Article - September 17, 2009 Two limestone schools receive “Eco school” awardsBy Julie Druker

Grade 8 students at NAEC who helped achieve the school’s Gold status as a Ontario Eco School for the year 2008/2009

North Addington Education Centre (NAEC) in Cloyne and Sydenham High School (SHS) were two of four schools in the Limestone District School Board to become certified for the first time as EcoSchools. NAEC and SHS were awarded respectively a gold and bronze medal at the LDSB meeting held in Kingston on September 9.

Last year staff and students at both schools entered the EcoSchool program, which recognizes a school’s environmental stewardship and awards points for achievements in a number of areas, including teamwork and leadership, energy conservation, waste minimization, school ground greening, and curriculum and environmental stewardship.

The Ontario EcoSchool program was created in 2002 to address environmental issues in the formal education system, and was designed to help students develop ecological literacy and become environmentally responsible citizens.

The program requires the commitment of members of the school administration, staff and students who together form an Eco team. The team creates, implements and monitors various action plans to manage and evaluate their eco progress throughout the school year.

NAEC teachers Beth Hasler and Melissa Randle co-chaired the program there, and Vice Principal Kelly Roantree chaired the program at Sydenham.

Both schools focused mainly on recycling, energy conservation, curriculum and environmental stewardship.

Students and staff at both schools designed in-school systems to recycle cans, plastic and cardboard and glass, and to conserve energy by turning off lights, monitors and closing blinds. Waste minimization was also focused on.

At NAEC, GOOS (good on one side) paper bins were developed and located in every classroom as a way of reusing paper. A swap shop was set up at an open house where students and staff donated various articles that they were no longer using.

Under the category of “school ground greening”, NAEC students revitalized their shaded courtyard with flowers donated by community members. Under the curriculum category, teachers at NAEC taught lessons about the environment and assigned various projects to students, which included journaling and field trips. One of the field trips was a visit to Lemoine Point in Kingston, where grade 9 and 11 students helped rid the area of a species of invasive garlic mustard.

Both schools under the stewardship category also held school-wide earth hour and earth day programs. At NAEC all lights were turned off for one hour and earth day events included cleaning up the environment around the school.

At Sydenham one initiative focused on promoting paperless communication. Parents and staff were encouraged to check the school website and email instead of relying on mail-outs. Student announcements were written on white boards instead of being printed out and organizations within the school were encouraged to promote the use of reusable beverage containers rather than plastic bottled beverages.

Both schools are planning to re-implement the EcoSchool program this year and both are focusing on the areas where they can improve. At NAEC the focus will be on constructing a shaded area in the playground and a new program called Litterless Lunch Fridays will begin, when children will be encouraged to bring lunches that produce no litter.

In Sydenham Kelly Roantree is hoping that this year the school will be “going for gold”. She says that this year’s team will focus on embedding eco practices within the school and its curriculum as well as greening up the school grounds.

Any school interested in joining the EcoSchool program can visit www.ontarioecoschools.org or contact Karl Walker at 613-544-6925 ext.258

Last week students at Land O'Lakes Public School in Mountain Grove with a passion for art started up the second year of an extra-curricular art program at the school. The popular program, which first ran in 2011, is back this year thanks to a $800 grant from the Limestone Learning Foundation, which pays for the cost of all the materials and makes the program free for the students.

Grade 7/8 teacher Lee Hull, who is a trained illustrator/classical painter, and an award-winning artist in his own right, is again heading up the program, which he calls the Land O'Lakes Art Club. It is Hull's passion for painting that attracted the 24 budding young artists to the class this year and when I visited the school last week the students were just getting started.

Mr. Hull was demonstrating to the students how to hold their pencils and how to make rough gestural sketches of a draped plastic mannequin, which he positioned in the centre of the gym along with a large plant that he invited the students to include in their compositions. They were instructed to make four rough sketches and then to choose their favorite, which will be the foundation of a painting that each student will produce by the end of the course.

Each student was provided with their own easel, smock, paints, pencils, brushes and palette and canvas and the LLF grant also allowed Hull to purchase the plastic mannequin, which the class named Lola (Land O'Lakes Art Model). During the course the students will learn basic classical drawing and painting techniques, including how to make an effective composition, how to paint folds, and how to paint light and shadow. Hull is passing on to the students the classical drawing and painting techniques that he studied at the Ontario College of Art in Toronto and also in Florence, Italy.

Hull said he enjoys the energy of the students. “These students are here because they are interested and excited about making art and the fact that they are giving up their free time to learn demonstrates that fact,” he said. Asked about the challenges of teaching students who may have no previous art background Hull said, “Classical techniques follow a predefined series of steps that are very straightforward. Basically you start with drawing a line and then defining the lights and darks by making gradations first from dark to light and then back again.” Hull said that when he last ran the class two years ago he was amazed and shocked by the quality of the work that the students produced. “The fact that you can teach them the steps so that they can then harness their creativity is an amazing thing.”

Hull's passion for painting is apparent in his very upbeat and energetic approach. He makes his way around the circle of easels, speaking to each student individually, giving them pointers and encouragement along the way. French teacher Max Campbell and parent Brett Hilder are assisting in the class and judging by the concentration and enthusiasm of the students, it looks as though there will be 24 very interesting paintings by the end of the 10-week course. The course will end with a final art show at the school.

Hull, who is not one to toot his own horn, has had numerous shows here and abroad, including in Italy and in Japan. A portrait he painted of former LOLPS staff member, Brian Robertson, earned him the second place award last year in the Kingston Art Council's portrait competition. Lee did say that he feels it is important to learn from someone who practises art themselves. “If I wanted to learn something new, like music or ceramics, I would definitely want to learn from someone who practices them.”

Hull continues to paint in his spare time and currently is working on a watercolour painting of an old barn.

Back to HomeLetters - July 9, 2009Letters: July 9

Parham fireworks, Mary Howes

Palmerston Lake Bass Derby, Jen Robertson

Sharbot Lake Fireworks, Alison Robinson

Shame on the System, Paul Isaacs

Re: “Parham school gets a boost”, Lesley Pickard

Parham fireworks

I would like to say Thank You to whom ever was responsible for the hour-long fantastic fireworks in Parham, which I enjoyed from my patio. What a wonderful gift to all the people in Parham on Canada Day.

Mary Howes

Palmerston Lake Bass Derby

Accolades would be remiss if they were not given to Rose and Denis, owners of the Double 'S' Sports and Marina in Ompah, who did all the organization for this event. Without their heartfelt caring for the community this event would not take place every year. Special thanks to Sharon Killingbeck and Dale Southward for the steak dinner and all the trimmings. It was super! Thanks to the many individuals and companies who donated the various prizes. An event like this can only be successful by community volunteers coming together to make it happen. Many thanks to all the great volunteers. All these people would be welcome on any Organization Team any day.

Jen RobertsonSummer Resident, Ompah

Sharbot Lake fireworks

THANK YOU! I couldn’t help but feel proud being a Canadian, and even more proud of the community we live in as I watched this year’s Canada Day fireworks display. What a fabulous display!

It is so obvious the many hours that volunteers have put in to make this community a very special place to live and play. I couldn’t help thinking of all the hours the firemen put in training every Tuesday evening: practising challenging rescue procedures, CPR, extractions, ice water recovery, accident simulations, first response and just knowing what to do when anyone is in distress. Not to mention the hours it takes to set up the display we enjoyed.

Thanks to all the volunteers for pulling off a great Canada Day and a special thanks to all the firemen. Thanks also to the business and community people who donate to support the cost of the fireworks.

I must disclose my son is a fireman.

Alison Robinson

Shame on the System

Up before dawn, home after dark. It’s a long, hard, tiring day in the depths of a Canadian winter, especially if you're a four-year-old going to kindergarten.

If I were a parent sending my child to day care under these conditions, I would not be at all surprised to have Children's Aid knocking on the door.

Why can the Ministry of Education and the School Board say a few platitudes about "more programming" and "enriched environment", wave 13 million dollars as some kind of pot of gold at the end of the educational rainbow, and conclude that subjecting four-year-olds to this kind of quasi-abuse is somehow justified?

Just what is wrong with five one-million-dollar elementary schools and one eight-million-dollar secondary school? Has that clearly preferable option ever been explored?

It seems that is just fine to make the four-year-old fit the 13-million-dollar bureaucratic mold rather than make the bureaucrats use the money to mold themselves to the four-year-olds.

Who seriously believes that unsubstantiated claims about "more programming" and an "enriched environments" conjured up in educational Taj Mahals are valid? Who would believe that "programming" and "environments" can compensate for children who are too tired to keep their eyes open?

However can an education system that promotes and fully understands the importance of the "early years" be so callous about its treatment of these very children?

Shouldn't the "system" be bending over backwards to accommodate these youngsters? Why is infrastructure being deliberately designed to maximize their time on the bus?

What has become of us as a society when we are so easily willing to sacrifice our most vulnerable youngsters in return for vague proclamations of educational nirvana? How has it come to pass that the youngest children have come to be placed at the back of the educational bus?

Shame on the "system". Shame on us.

Paul Isaacs, Denbigh

Re: “Parham school gets a boost”

I would like to address the article written by Jeff Green dated June 18, 2009, titled “Parham School gets a boost”. In the article, Jeff states that I was at the Visions Meeting to advocate for my school.

That information is incorrect. I did not go to the Visions meeting to advocate for my school; I went to the Visions meeting to advocate building more than a school. My first question to the council was whether they would consider partnering with the board of education to build the new school. Quite frankly, I am quite excited about the idea of a new school and all the possibilities it brings with it. I know that the Board of Education will build us a nice new shiny school, but what if we want more? What about adding a public library to the school? How about a Youth Centre? What is the possibility of building the school more eco-friendly with a water retrieval system, solar panels, wind turbines? Then how about offering an environmental studies course at the school? What funds could the municipal government apply for, or put us on track to apply for them?

The fact that I am unsettled with the proposed location of the new school is not the only issue here. The new school has the possibility to breathe life into this area if we put time and energy into it now. I just wanted to set the record straight that I am not advocating to keep the old school open, I stand by the recommendation of our PARC and the hard work my colleagues and I put into coming to that conclusion, but I want to make sure when the recommendation is put forth, we will be getting the best school possible, with programs that will encourage students to stay in our area. 

Lesley Pickard

Back to HomeFeature Article - June 4, 2009 NAEC Students Pulling for Biodiversityby Melissa Randle

On May 22, 32 NAEC students traveled to Lemoine Point Conservation Area in Kingston to participate in the Great Garlic Mustard Pull and International Biodiversity Day. The students spent two hours combing a five-hectare portion of Lemoine Point for garlic mustard, which is an invasive species in Ontario. They were able to collect ninety bags of garlic mustard total. The day was sponsored by the Friends of Lemoine Point Invasive Species Control Group and the Biodiversity Education and Awareness Network.

International Biodiversity Day is a day dedicated to increasing understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. Every year there is a different focus and 2009 focused on invasive species. Garlic mustard is an invasive species that outgrows and outcompetes native species of plants in areas like Lemoine Point, causing a decrease in biodiversity. Manual removal of garlic mustard will help stop the spread of garlic mustard and will allow native species to return to the area.

Vice principal Angela Salmond said, “Although this day provided a great service to Lemoine Point, it also provided our students with a great learning opportunity. We were very pleased and proud to have our students participate in such a worthwhile opportunity. Our students demonstrate time and time again that they understand the importance of being "global citizens" and it is days like this that allow them to do what they can to make a difference.”

Pictures from International Biodiversity Day activities can be found on the Biodiversity Education and Awareness Network site under Past Events.

NAEC goes for gold by Melissa Randle and Elizabeth Hasler

Assemblies at NAEC this year with assemblies have had an environmental focus, like this one about about Birds of Prey

North Addington Education Centre is among the first Limestone District School Board schools to get certified with Ontario EcoSchools. NAEC has received Gold certification for 2009.

North Addington Education Centre recently applied for EcoSchool certification along with three other schools in Limestone District School Board. EcoSchools is an environmental education program in Ontario that helps students and schools to become more environmentally friendly. To become a certified EcoSchool the school must show achievement in energy conservation, waste minimization, ecological literacy and school ground greening. The GOLD standing is the highest level and NAEC was the only school in the Limestone DSB to receive this standing!

NAEC showed their commitment to the environment throughout the 2008-2009 school year. A paper and a container recycling program was implemented. The EcoTeam also held events including Earth Hour, Earth Day, and a Swap Shop at Open House. Students at NAEC have shown that they care for the environment by continuing to recycle and to turn off the lights and computer monitors when not in use. The environment has been a focus at NAEC this year with assemblies about Birds of Prey, guest speakers talking about biology and environmental sustainability and field trips to conservation areas.

EcoSchools is a voluntary program led by teachers and volunteers at schools across Ontario. The EcoTeam at NAEC is led by Melissa Randle and Elizabeth Hasler. NAEC will receive a plaque later this spring to acknowledge their hard work.

Judging by their current standings in KASSAA (Kingston Area Secondary Schools Athletic Association), the Sydenham Golden Eagles junior and senior girls' volleyball teams arepoised to go far this season.

Both teams are tied for first place and if their games against the LCVI Lancers, which took place in Sydenham on January 16 are any indication, it looks like Sydenham has got what it takes as the league goes on hiatus for a two-week exam break.

The seniors girls, who are tied with Regiopolis with perfect 10-0 records, were strong from the start in their face-off against the LCVI Lancers last Thursday (January 16), taking first set 25-17. The Lancers put up a fight, though, and in the second set demonstrated their determination, tying it up 8-8 after Sydenham took an early lead, and then taking the lead by two points later on.

Golden Eagles Tiffany Amos served up a couple of aces to bring Sydenham back into the lead with the Lancers fighting back hard once again to tie it up 15-15. It was an all out back and forth battle to the end of the set, which included a number of very exciting volleys. With the score tied 22 Sydenham scored on a spike and then put the set away 25-22.

Sydenham came out strong in the third set again with #2 Golden Eagle Alanna Walsh serving Sydenham’s way to an early four-point lead. The Lancers tried to fight back but when Sydenham power/setter Krissy Berndt served another couple of aces the Lancers appeared to lose a bit of steam, missing a few much-needed points at the net and hitting some overly strong returns that came down outside the line. Sydenham's Berndt then hit a number of powerful spikes and the set was soon over 25-11. The three-point win leaves Sydenham’s seniors undefeated thus far in the season.

I spoke with Sydenham senior power/setter Krissy Berndt following the win; the grade 13 student said she returned to do her fifth year at Sydenham partly to be able to play another season since last year’s season was quashed as a result of the strikes. She said the team has been working hard on getting their communication down while also working on their defense. “We're really hoping to continue on this season playing like we did today as a team and our goal is to go all the way,” Berndt said. She credited the team’s coaches, Katie May and Scott Cashol, as a big reason why the team is playing so well.

Katie May teaches Phys Ed and Science at Sydenham and has been coaching the senior team at Sydenham for the past seven years. She played volleyball as a left side hitter at the University of Toronto for five years as an undergraduate. May said her focus for the seniors this year has been on communication, defense, hard work and instilling a positive attitude. She credited the team as a group for their success so far this season.

“This is a wonderful group of players who are really committed to the whole team experience in terms of sharing the hard work as well as their failures and successes. Not only do they want to work hard and improve, but they are also really striving to soak up what we are teaching them.”

Brian English coaches Sydenham's junior team, which is tied atop the bunched up the KASSAA standings with four other teams that all have a 7-2 record. Their game against the Lancers took place following the seniors' game. The first set was close throughout. The score was tied at 15 before Sydenham pulled away with a 4 point service and ended up taking the set 25-20. In the second it was all Sydenham, who were up early on and at one point led 15-1 before they closed out the second 25-7. The final set clinched the juniors' three set win as they stayed in control throughout and beat the Lancers 25-14.

Brian English said the game was a big one for the juniors who earlier in the week lost to LaSalle for their second loss of the season. “This game was a great one in getting back our confidence as a team,”

He added that the Sydenham juniors, like most junior teams in the KAASSAA this year, "have struggled because they did not have a season last year. A lot of the work in positioning and systems that you would normally take for granted as being in place is not because there was no season last year…That and the fact that the grade nine players last year did not have a chance to play.”

In their win against the Lancers, the Golden Eagles were led by Junior right side hitter Jaymie Richmond who scored four key service points and by power/libero Kaleigh Churchmuch who got in a few great digs and dives, thereby making a couple of exceptional and exciting points for the team.

On a slightly different note, it has just been announced that Leslie Lawlor, Sydenham High School Teacher-Coach, has been chosen as the Coaches Association of Ontario Award of Excellence recipient for this year. A well deserved reward for a career of commitment to student athletes!

Have you been out of school for a while? Have you thought about going back? Many adults return to school in their 30s, 40s, 50s or older. Some go back to get a high school diploma. Some go to college or take job-specific training. Others go back to take a class they missed the first time around. Still others take special interest courses.

There are benefits to going back to school. You can gain skills and certificates needed for a new job or a change of career. It can help you earn more money through a raise or a better job. Getting out to a class can provide social time. It keeps your brain active. And, there’s pride in success.

Going back to school may be hard for adults. Things don’t have to stand in the way of your dreams, though. There are programs that can help. For example, both Career Edge (Northbrook) and St. Lawrence College (Sharbot Lake and Sydenham) provide employment services. These are for people who are unemployed or working part-time. Their staff can help you with career options, re-training and school choices. They may be able to connect you with help paying for school.

The saying “If you don’t use it, you lose it,” is true. We lose skills and knowledge over the years. You may need those skills to take higher education or for a new job. At Northern Connections Adult Learning Centres, they can check your current skills. Then, they can compare your skills with those needed for your goal. If you want to improve your skills, they can help with that, too.

Northern Connections has free courses to help you with school, work and life. Maybe you want to learn (or re-learn) how to write an essay. Maybe you should pump up your skills to pass a college entrance test. Maybe it is your math or computer skills you need to work on. You can work on any or all of those things at either site - Sharbot Lake or Northbrook.

It wasn't exactly easy or smooth, but on Sunday afternoon, January 5, the Limestone District School Board received an occupancy permit for Granite Ridge Education Centre.

The next morning, the school was ready to receive students, although the fact that the first day of school ended up being a snow day was not unwelcome to staff, who were still setting up their classrooms and work stations.

Tuesday morning ended up being the real opening day of Granite Ridge, and although there were still trucks parked outside, some of the trades-people were still finishing up their work, and the wind was howling as the students made their way from the buses to the front door, it was a very bright and happy day for the Limestone District School Board and families in Central and North Frontenac.

Principal Heather Highet welcomed the secondary students in the new cafeteria, which for the moment is open to the school's full-sized gym. Trustee Ann Goodfellow and School Board Director Brenda Hunter were on hand as well. Heather Highet talked briefly about the layout of the school and then the teachers led the students off to their new home rooms.

One of the major features of the school is the surrounding environment. There are very few spaces in the school that do not have at least one or two windows to the outside, and natural light infuses all the classrooms.

All of the technology in the classroom is another feature. There are SMART boards in every class, and the in-class sound systems are integrated directly into the teachers' own computers. Not only is the sound quality good, but the walls to the hallways are insulated so the sound stays in the class.

While Tuesday was the first day of classes after the break and secondary students have exams to prepare for, some of the younger elementary teachers were starting the new year by taking their students on tours of their big, new school.

Granite Ridge includes classrooms for all of the secondary school programs that were available at the former Sharbot Lake High School, including a wood and auto shop, music, art/fabric art room and a kitchen class.

Added features and upgrades from the previous school include a 6,300 square foot gymnasium, two separate change rooms, a fully equipped weight/powerfit room, a cafetorium with a 1,000 square foot stage, seating for 250 for concerts and performances, and a retractable wall that will open up to the gymnasium, allowing for large assemblies and events to permit seating for over 600.

While the school is up and running now, it will take some time for all of the moving in to be completed. The library is still filled with boxes of books, for example, which is something that will be sorted out in a matter of days. It will take longer to remove the former Sharbot Lake High School building and complete the landscaping plan that will make full use of the surrounding landscape.

Fortunately, few students were complaining about the lack of outdoor recreation areas on the first day of classes at Granite Ridge. Somehow the -20º temperatures and high winds made the students happy to explore inside, within the building itself.

The public will be invited to view the new building sometime later this winter.

Sydenham resident Leslie Myles recently returned from her second trip to Nepal, and one of her primary goals was to keep the global connection she began there one year ago between Kingston and Nepalese students alive and well.

Myles, who works as the managing director of the Limestone Learning Foundation in Kingston, made her first trip to Nepal at this same time last year for a fundraiser called The Everest Climb for Kids. On that trip she raised funds for the Limestone Learning Foundation, an organization that funds enhanced learning opportunities for children in the Limestone District School Board, and for the Sir Edmund Hillary Foundation, which helps to fund a number of local Nepalese schools located in Nepal's mountainous regions. On that first trip Myles also visited the Khunde Hospital located in the Solukhomba region of Nepal, where her fundraising efforts helped to purchase an X-Ray machine there.

On that first trip Myles and some of her 15-member climbing team also personally secured funding to help four children of their Sherpa guides attend local schools. Myles brought with her on that first trip countless letters written by grade 4 and 5 students at Central Public School in Kingston and delivered them to the Nepalese students at the Shree Himalaya School and in doing so, opened up what has become a thriving connection between the students. While Myles' second trip was a solo and a more personal one, she said that one of her aims in going back was to “keep that global student connection alive as well as to check up on the four students that we (members of the initial climbing team) helped attend school. I wanted to go and see how the four students were doing, to secure their continued funding support and also to keep up the connection between the Kingston and Nepalese students that started last year.”

With that second goal mind in mind Myles brought with her on this trip more letters from the Kingston Central PS students and on her return to Sydenham came with an armful of letters from the Nepalese students, some of which I have included here. Myles also visited the Khunde Hospital and spoke with Dr. Kami, one of the first Sherpas to become a doctor there. She also spent time living in the homes of the students that she is personally supporting.

Myles, whose connection with Nepal has become as personal as it is professional, reiterated her feeling that education, no matter at here home or abroad is “the beginning of everything.” She explained, “ In this mountainous region of Nepal the primary source of income comes from trekking and most children will become guides. But when these children become educated, they have a lot more options open to them. Their parents’ main goal is get an education for their children.”

Myles said that her job with the LLF is to have a passion for kids and education and to enhance learning opportunities for children. “What I am trying to do is help create a tangible learning experience for students here and there and I am doing that through letter writing and by giving slide show presentations, and also through video feeds that we have been sending back and forth between the schools.”

She also brought back with her home-made trinkets and prayer shawls made by the Nepalese students to be given out to the Kingston students. Myles thrives on world-wide adventure and loves the thrill of experiencing some of the most remote places on the globe, and students across the globe are continuing to benefit from her personal passions. “The students both here and there are so engaged and excited to have this ongoing global connection. It's a real live experience for all of the students and both sides are learning from one another in a very tangible way.”

Myles has future plans to open up other avenues of communication between the students, including trying to utilize a new radio station set up in the Solukhombu region of Nepal. “I'd love to set up something with the new radio station there so that the students could be feeding information to each other on an ongoing basis.” Regarding the benefits to students, Myles said the experience goes a long way in broadening students’ horizons and giving them first-hand experience of the lives of others in far off countries, whom they otherwise might know very little about.