Anglophone School District North celebrated PSSC members at the annual PSSC Appreciation Dinner, held on May 9th at Gowan Brae Golf and Country Club in Bathurst. District staff and District Education Council members were on hand to welcome guests. Dr. Tiffany Bastin, Assistant Deputy Minister with the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, was the special guest.

ASD-N also presented Celebrate the Spririt Awards to five deserving community partners. The recipients were:

- Nominated by Community Engagement Coordinator, Audrey Ronalds, the Robert L. Knowles Veterans Unit has been welcoming students into their facility for a number of years through various programs and projects.  Middle school carpentry classes have built bird feeders, planted flowers and upgraded the entry way to the unit.  Seniors have participated in chair yoga with the high school yoga class.  This intergenerational connection has helped both residents and students feel cared for and valued.  The Celebrate the Spirit Award was created by previous Superintendent and Deputy Minister, John McLaughlin, and in a full circle moment, John’s mother and resident, Ms. Millie McLaughlin, accepted the award along with Activity Director Megan Martell, Director of Nursing Catherine Lanteigne and Teacher Krissy McLellan.

- Nominated by Principal, Paula Haché, of King Street Elementary School, The Bowes Family has been instrumental in the set up of the school cafeteria and an ongoing meal program called “Scott’s Lunch”,  named in memory of their son, Scott.   “Scott’s Lunch” feeds up to 80 students per month and for some students this program has been life changing. Christine Colwell, Heather MacDonald and Laura St. Coeur accepted the award on behalf of their parents, Brian and Valerie Bowes.

- Teacher Joelle Landry from Campbellton Middle School was nominated by fellow teacher, Kaitlin LeClair, for her enthusiasm and positive energy, she leads many in-school projects, such as heritage, STEM, PowerPlay and others.  Joelle is committed to educational goals, open to new ideas and initiatives and always makes students a priority.  

- The Kent Wrestling Club was nominated by Principal Shaun Fletcher, of Eleanor W. Graham School.  Over the past 24 years, the Kent Wrestling Club has been fundamental in the development and success of many young people within the school and community.  The club has helped multiple students overcome barriers in their personal lives by offering them structure and support.  Accepting the award were club members Krista Bernard, Pat Scully, and Kevin Scully.

- The Sunny Corner Fire Fighters Club and Volunteer Fire Department was nominated by North and South Esk Elementary School Principal, Shayla Mutch, for their many contributions to NSEE, NSER and the surrounding community.  This includes fundraising for school programs, volunteering in the school kitchen for the “Fall Fair” and “Breakfast with Santa”, holding turkey drives, and visiting the school to teach students about fire safety.  Accepting the award was Capt. Darren Hambrook, Murray Sherrard, Dayton Pratt and  ­­­­­­­­Danya Hambrook.  

Congratulations to all recipients, and a sincere thank you to all PSSC and DEC members for their time and dedication to ASD-N schools.