The Leadership class from Miramichi Valley High School gave a lively dance demonstration to the residents of Miramichi Senior Citizens Home on Friday December 11th. Although the repertoire included country line dancing and the Virginia Reel, it was the German, English and Israeli folk dances that the students seemed to enjoy performing the most. The 40 minute program was well received and the students enjoyed their visit. Teacher, Mr. Jim Watters, arranged the demonstration to provide an entertaining time for the residents.
Spirits were not dampened by the cool wet weather as people of the Miramichi warmly welcomed the Olympic Flame that swept through the community on Friday. The presence of busloads of District 16 students from the Miramichi area, Blackville and Rexton, dressed for warmth and many in red, gave an enthusiastic youthful tone to the two hour celebration held at the James M. Hill High School track.
District 16 along with many others in the Miramichi region are making final preparations for the arrival Friday of the Olympic Flame as it makes its way from Greece to Vancouver for the 2010 Winter Olympics. Included in the crowd expected for the Olympic Torch Celebration at James M. Hill High School will be many hundreds of District 16 school children who will be bused to the event. There will be entertainment and displays at the 10:00 a.m. ceremony prior to the Flames arrival at 11:20 a.m.
A full evening of artistic expression was recently provided by the students of Nelson Rural School, grades 3 to 5, as parents and other members of the community were invited to "A Night of the Arts". Paintings, photographs, dance, song, fly tying, gymnastics, instrumental recitals and even a magic show were presented to the delight of all who attended and turning much of the school into a true art gallery. Many of the gallery's patrons also enjoyed samples from the culinary arts!
On Thursday November 19th. Mr. Mazerolle's Grade 12 World Issues class at Bonar Law Memorial School received a visit from The Honourable Graydon Nicholas, the newly installed Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick. The queen’s representative spoke meaningfully to the students about just how important education is and that they must not let any obstacles get in the way of their success. Local businessmen and First Nation elders and chiefs also attended the class to welcome New Brunswick’s first aboriginal Lieutenant Governor and to hear what he had to say.
The children of Croft Elementary School recently received a visit from Olympic Snowboard hopeful, Alexandra Duckworth, of Nova Scotia. The enthusiastic youngsters were able to ask the visitor about what it takes to become an Olympic level athlete, her experiences and her hopes for the future.
On November 10th schools across the district held ceremonies to remember those who gave their lives to protect the freedom of all Canadians. The services, attended by veterans who served in Canadian forces overseas, included music, speeches and wreath laying as well as the playing of the Last Post followed by a minute of silence. Some of the veterans who visted Croft Elementary School and pictured here are (L.to R.) Ed Oursien (Canadian Peacekeeping Veterans Association - CPVA), Bud Walsh (CPVA), William Kamermans (Merchant Navy), Robert Doucette (CPVA) and Mel McGraw (CPVA).
A Dutch teacher from Arnhem has recently completed a very special collaboration project with NB D16 teacher Pat Lange and NB D15 teacher Patrick McLaughlin and their students. Working, via technology, across the Atlantic Ocean, Canadian and Dutch students researched members of the New Brunswick North Shore Regiment who are buried in the Canadian War Cemetary at Groesbeek, Holland. The Dutch students then took a bus to Groesbeek and planted Canadian flags at each grave, along with the stories they wrote about the Canadian soldier.
Hundreds of District 16 school children will be able to share in the excitement of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics on November 27th as the Olympic Torch Relay passes through the City of Miramichi. A ceremony will take place at the James M Hill High School track involving a warm welcome for the torch, official comments from public figures and several cultural performances.
