An Assembly of BlueSchools throughout District 16 recognized Bullying Awareness Week held from November 14th to 20th. Through assemblies and various other activities, strategies to reduce bullying both in and out of school, were promoted. Many of these strategies were student created and student led. Visitors to District 16 school web sites can see examples of these efforts in news items, newsletter articles and morning announcements. A Friday morning assembly at which Saint Andrew's Elementary School pupils wore blue to show solidarity, is typical of what took place in many district schools.
In early July of this past summer Miramichi Rural School Star Troopers made a presentation to the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada General Assembly in Fredericton. Attached is an account of the experience prepared by MRS grade 8 student, Star Trooper Shane Wray. For more information on the Galileo Observatory at Miramichi Rural School visit http://miramichirural.nbed.nb.ca/other/galileo-observatory .
Mr. KeoughanThe New Brunswick School District 16 Education Council (DEC) hosted a symposium for the Parent School Support Committees (PSSC) of district schools on Tuesday November 9that Dr. Losier Middle School. After enjoying a light supper parental representatives from area schools received a presentation given by Rick Hayward, D16 Technology Coordinator, as the first item on the evening’s agenda. Mr.
District 16 Skilled Trades and Technology students had an opportunity on Monday November 1st to take serious consideration of the importance of protecting their eyes. A graphic presentation at the James M. Hill High School auditorium by Clarissa Harris-LeBreton of the Canadian National Institute of the Blind gave them an eyeful, so to speak, of what can happen through careless or inappropriate safety precautions in the work place. The presentation was made to coincide with the Canada-wide Skilled Trade and Technology Week which runs from November 1st to 7th.
District 16 has recognized 7 teachers who have recently completed the district's two year Leadership Development Program. The certificates were presented at a ceremony at the Rodd Miramichi River Inn, presided over by District Superintendent Laurie Keoughan and the Director of Education Richard Walsh on Tuesday October 26th. This year’s recipients were Ms. Cheryl Breau, Ms. Kim Cripps, Ms. Tobi Daigle, Mr. Jamie Henderson, Ms. Jean MacDonald, Ms. Jaqueline Petrie and Ms.
District 16 teachers gathered together at James M Hill High School to give thoughtful consideration of education in today’s society during Curriculum Implementation Day, October 27th. In a world of instant global communication, changing values and digital social networking, the classroom can become a place where authentic, relevant and personalized learning can happen. The key note presentation included a quick overview of today’s society and the role of education in it.
Fifteen young District 16 students recently played host to an equal number of young people from St. Canisius school in Almelo, Netherlands. This is the second year that such an exchange has taken place as the local students will be making a return visit to St. Canisius School during the second semester, early in 2011.
The well known military historian and international journalist Gwynne Dyer spoke to District 16 students at Bonar Law Memorial School in Rexton on Monday October 18th. In the hour-long talk Dr. Dyer gave an interesting and comprehensive perspective on the Afghanistan and Iraq wars following the 9/11 attack by terrorists on the United States. The audience of high school students was given much to think about and showed great interest, indicated by rapt attention and the very insightful questions asked of their special guest following his presentation.
Hundreds of District 16 primary school students had a chance to explore such a question at the District 16 Kindergarten to Grade 3 Heritage Fair hosted by Croft Elementary School on October 15th. In going back in time, the young visitors whose families have been in the area for some time were able to experience what life was like in the Miramichi region for their ancestors. For those whose families have arrived in recent years it was a chance to find out about local history and make comparisons to their own families’ experiences.
