Spring 2012 - Web - Nbed.nb.ca

p u b l i s h e d b y S c h o o l D i s t r i c t 2
Building
Our Future
- Transitioning to Kindergarten
- Habitat for Humanity - TRHS
- D2 Achievers
- Girls Only Please!
- Look Who’s From D2
- Art in the District

Contents
6
8 9
11
7
4 Superintendent And District Education Council Chair Welcome
5 From The Editor
6 2nd Millennium Role Models
7 It Takes a Community to Raise a Child
8 LINKS Tutoring
9 “CAN’T WAIT” to go to school - Transitioning to Kindergarten
11 T.E.A.M. Build Project - Habitat for Humanity - TRHS
13 Harrison Trimble Construction Trades Program
14 D2 Achievers
16 Culinary Tech Inspires Budding Chefs
18 Girls Only Please!
19 Snow Motion
21 Speed Skippers
22 Look Who’s From District 2... Northrop Frye!
24 Experiencing Poetry
25 Highlighting ICT in School District 2!
26 Districts 1 & 2 score musical Home Runs
28 Art in District 2
Learning through Clay
A New Focus
Artist in Residency School Program
14
16
22
26
istrict 2
ch evers
25
19
Spring 2012 3

Messages
Welcome from Superintendent
Karen Branscombe
Se v e r a l
years ago,
A C H I E V E
was born as
one of the many ways
that School District 2
communicates with
parents, teachers,
students and our
community. It reaches
20,000 people each
and every time that
we publish, featuring
articles and stories
of achievements and
achievers in District 2! Karen Branscombe
This publication is again brimming with tales of great work
being done in our 38 schools.
I am often asked what I loved best about my nine years
as Superintendent in District 2. What first comes to mind
are the school visits and the opportunities that I have
seen first-hand, the work being done by our educators with
families and students. As I go from school to school and
community to community, it is obvious that we are focused
on teaching and learning, and that individual student needs
are the priority of our educators. How this looks, of course,
is different in each school. What is truly important is that
the end goal is the same; we are all here for students and
that their learning matters.
As this school year ends, so will what we know as School
District 2 in New Brunswick. July 1st will see our 38 schools
become New Brunswick’s Anglophone East School District.
With the name change will be a newly-elected governing body
and District Education Council, as well as changes to the
operational structure. What the vision and strategic plan of
this new council will look like is yet to be determined.
What I do know is that it will be our collective responsibility
to stay focused on the end goal - that of student learning.
Throughout the change process it is critical that this remain
the priority. As we prepare for the graduation ceremonies
of over 1200 of our students and we plan for the
2012-2013 school year, the impact that teachers,
administrators and support staff have on the lives of our
students does not go unnoticed. It really is what our
business is about. On behalf of everyone in School District
2, I thank you for supporting our students. Enjoy “School
District 2’s” final edition of ACHIEVE.
Sincerely,
Karen Branscombe
Superintendent School District 2
Priorities and Progress
A message from District Education Council
Chair Harry Doyle
By the time this message
is read your present
DEC will have reached
their best-before date.
It would probably be appropriate
for me to use this column to
review in detail our past 4 years,
however, as I learned early on
in District 2, it is not about the
past but about what the future
holds to make the educational
experience for our “kids” the
very best it can be.
Since our first days in
operation the Council came
Harry Doyle
face-to-face with infrastructure
issues. As we pass the torch, we can be proud of the opening of the new
Northrop Frye School, the announcement of a new Riverview East School
and a new Moncton High School.
The DEC has had great satisfaction in working to maintain and
develop new community partners. For instance, a partnership between
District 2 and Horizon Health - the first of its kind in Canada - will create
a Health and Wellness Centre in the Port Elgin Regional School. This is
a model that government can cite as a major step in shared services
between departments.
On behalf of the DEC I extend a big thank you to all of the
1800+ employees of District 2 for your continuing efforts on behalf of
the kids you serve every day. You have made me proud and no matter
what the future holds, I want to say it has been a pleasure being
associated with you. I will forever retain fond memories and have the
greatest admiration for all you do.
To the future: District 2 will soon undergo some administrative and
structural changes as well as a name change to become Anglophone
East, 1 of 4 English Districts. The DEC will be reduced from 11 elected
members to 9. We will exist within the same geographical area with
the same number of students, but instead of being the “best” and the
biggest we will become the second smallest. However, in my opinion, we
have no reason to be anything but the best.
I do believe education is moving towards much greater involvement
for parents through their PSSC and that there will be more of a direction
for Principals to manage their schools locally. Change is upon us as
it is in every other District, some much more significant than ours.
Our advantage is that throughout this District we are blessed with the
people who will make change work in the best interest of our students.
In closing, let me wish all of our people who are choosing to retire
(hope to see you all at our retirement celebration) and to all of those
leaving for other reasons, the very best in the future.
Harry Doyle
District Education Council Chairperson
4
Spring 2012

Volume 6, Number 1
Achieve is published
twice a year by District 2
1077 St George Street
Moncton, N.B., E1E 4C9
(506) 856-3222
Circulation 20,000
Aubrey Kirkpatrick: Director of Finance,
Administration and Communications
School District 2
Achieve Publisher:
School District 2
Karen Branscombe
Superintendent
Senior Editor
Achieve Content:
Aubrey Kirkpatrick
(506) 856-3616
Editor - in - Chief
Senior Management Team
Editorial Advisory Board
Achieve production:
i communications inc.
506.855.6503
264 Botsford Street, Suite 201
Moncton, NB E1C 4X7
Ad Sales and Magazine Production
Natasha O’Brien
Information provided in this publication is meant
to stimulate interest for quality education. Consult the School
District or your local School Administrator to delve further into
topics of interest. The opinions and views expressed in Achieve
are not necessarily those of School District 2 or the District
Education Council. Reproduction in whole or in part without
written permission is prohibited.
Story ideas and letters to the editor can be submitted to
Aubrey Kirkpatrick
Editor – in – Chief
Achieve
1077 St George Blvd
Moncton N.B.
E1E 4C9
E-mail: aubrey.kirkpatrick@gnb.ca
Visit School District 2 online at:
www.district2.nbed.nb.ca
Achieve!
From the Editor
Springtime brings forth thoughts of new growth,
renewal and the promise of warm sunshinefilled
days to come. It is also a time when a new
issue of Achieve magazine arrives, featuring
our District’s new programs, our schools’ success
stories and celebration of our partners in education.
Partners are so important to the success of our schools
and District; this magazine could not be produced at
minimal cost without the advertisers and sponsors that
are featured in this magazine. Please take a moment
to review each page that features these great partners.
I would like to thank Carole Murphy, Community
Schools Coordinator for leading the charge on the
production of this issue, and as always the staff at
i communications- you are a pleasure to work with!
I am grateful to be serving as the President of the
NB Association of School Business Officials this year. Aubrey Kirkpatrick
It has been a year of change and uncertainty and now
more than ever we need to celebrate the work of those on the business side of education who work
so diligently to allow our education staff to fully focus on education.
Here are just a few advances initiated and implemented by School Business Officials over
the last 5 years that has saved school staff time and resources:
Subfinder - Automated supply and casual booking system
School Connects – Automated communication tool to reach every household
Versa Trans – State of the art transportation routing system
School Cashnet – Automated standard cash system for schools
Cashless School Pilot – Online automated payment system
FS Direct – Automated facility booking system
CMS Websites – Easy-to-use websites for school communication
Portal Development with MS SharePoint results in improved workflows for textbook ordering,
minor repair tracking, hiring and staffing, and school facility plant and equipment data reporting.
These are but a few of the many business functions that are handled by District business staff
that enables the education system to run so smoothly and effectively at the school level. Hats off to
the School Business Officials in NB.
If you have any comments or suggestions about this edition, please email me at
aubrey.kirkpatrick@gnb.ca I hope you enjoy this edition of Achieve!
Aubrey Kirkpatrick,
Editor & Director of Finance,
Administration and Communication
aubrey.kirkpatrick@gnb.ca
Spring 2012 5

2nd Millennium
Role
Models
By Dean Patterson
Sometimes the best role models in today’s world are individuals who
quietly struggle through each day, facing a variety of challenges with
varying degrees of success.
Riverview High School, like all schools, has many such role models,
one of which is David Sami. David is a grade 9 student who has faced many daily
challenges with amazing acceptance; he was born with Möbius syndrome, a rare
neurological disorder which often affects skeletal formation, the respiratory system,
speech and swallowing disorders, visual impairments,
sensory integration dysfunction, sleep disorders,
and weak upper body strength may also be present.
David has faced most or all of these challenges on a
daily basis, almost always with a smile.
David’s prognosis in his early years was
that he would never be able to walk. With much
determination and hard work, he has progressed
from his wheelchair at his entry into the school
system 10 years ago, to near-independent walking
at age 15. David struggles with the challenges
that everyday routines present due to his limited
fine-motors skills, but always gives his best effort
and is willing to take action for improvements.
Another big barrier for David is that he is profoundly
deaf and does not speak, which when coupled with
the other handicaps, makes being a part of the
social life at school very difficult.
However, none of these challenges prevent David
from being an active student or a social butterfly –
he loves to meet people, and will always ask for your name.
David balances a very busy schedule each day as he attends his designated
classes as much as possible. However, his daily physio sessions each morning
before he heads off to first period and intermittent visits by specialists in various
fields checking on his progress and providing additional guidance do offer
occasional interruptions to his class attendance.
David does have the benefit of an Educational Assistant and a Sign Language
Interpreter to offer support at school to maximize his participation throughout the
day. David loves to learn, and most often is captivated with the teacher’s lesson
plan. He also immensely enjoys the hands-on and group experiences whenever
the opportunity arises. He is currently learning to navigate and use an iPad as a
teaching tool and possibly a future communication tool.
David gets involved outside of the classroom as well with such activities as the
Recycling Program, Horticulture in the Solarium
(or outside), and the Sign Club. David assists
with facilitating the Sign Club twice a week which
promotes the development of leadership skills,
basics of sign language, as well as practicing
for performances that the club presents at the
school-wide assemblies. David and his Sign
Club friends get outside their comfort zones and
face their insecurities by presenting inspirational
songs in sign language in front of a large group
of their peers, always offering a positive message
for our student body!
There are many students like David Sami
- 2nd Millennium Role Models - individuals that
persevere through their personal life challenges on
a daily basis, welcoming each life experience as
it presents itself, giving a positive response and
continuing to wear a smile. These are the type of
individuals we should emulate when dealing with
life’s “mountains and valleys”!
David’s favorite saying is “time flies!” He is so right about that… we need to
seize the day while it is here.
C A N
6
Spring 2012

IT TAKES A
COMMUNITY TO
RAISE A CHILD
By Anne Bernard-Bourgeois
Imagine a world where no one has to waste time thinking of why bullying exists
or what schools can do to prevent or address it. Imagine a world where no
one had to help heal the wounds and scars left as a result of such hurtful
behaviour as bullying. Given the prevalence of bullying in children’s lives
today, school districts and schools are left with the daunting task of addressing
the issue by developing policies, training staff members, educating kids and
intervening regularly to these situations that can hinder a child’s ability to learn
to his or her full potential.
The work of schools in the area of bullying prevention is instrumental to
fostering a culture and climate that is conducive to a positive learning environment.
However, despite the negative attention and focus brought to schools on this
topic, bullying is a problem that exists in our community and society at-large and
happens among adults as well as children. It exists in daycares, pre-school and
after-school programs, on teams, at sporting events, summer camps, in homes
and in workplaces. This being said, one could argue that to really make an impact
to change bullying behaviours, the message children need to hear about bullying
should come from adults in the multiple environments in which children find
themselves, including the home. That way, a child receives the same consistent
message from all adults who play a significant role in their lives.
Since March 2009, School District 2 has developed and implemented
the bullying prevention and intervention program ‘If It Hurts, It’s Wrong’, to
complement what schools are doing to prevent bullying. The committee members
responsible for the development and implementation of this program are now at
an exciting phase in the roll-out of the program. Based on the arguments made
above and the belief that it takes a community to raise a child, they have begun to
offer training outside of the school setting and in the community. The first group
targeted are community partners who work with children outside of the school
setting. This includes training for daycares and after-school programs, summer
camp programs, and sports teams. To reach parents, the If It Hurts, It’s Wrong
committee offers sessions on cyber bullying/safety and on preventing bullying
in the home. Finally, because bullying is also prevalent in the workplaces of so
many parents of our students, the committee has extended training there as well.
By reaching so many community partners and adults who work and care for
our students, a consistent message will be delivered. One can be optimistic that
over time, this consistent message will have a tremendous positive effect on
students’ behaviour and attitude toward others. By using our community to raise
our children we might begin to imagine a society where respect is omnipresent
and the time spent talking about bullying and how to erase the pain of so many
becomes a thing of the past.
IF IT HURTS, IT’S WRONG
Spring 2012 7

LINKS
Linking Language to
Learning at Salem
Elementary School
By Ellen Hicks
Salem Elementary School has been pleased to offer the LINKS (Linking
Language to Learning) after-school tutoring program. The staff at Salem
have worked in collaboration with students from Mount Allison University
to organize and run the program this year. LINKS was introduced
last year to Salem, Port Elgin Regional and Dorchester Consolidated Schools
by Dr. Rhonda Rubin, Vice President of Programs for the Learning Disabilities
Association of New Brunswick (LDANB). A small number of students, teachers
and community volunteers participated in the program with very promising initial
results. As Marie Reinsborough-Wadden, a teacher who provided tutoring, shared,
“I thoroughly enjoyed the LINKS program. I am a huge fan. If we can get more
people involved that would be wonderful!”
“My child made significant improvements in
her ability to reason. She went from guessing at
answers to truly thinking about a solution.
Her reading skills have improved significantly.
Overall, this is a fantastic program!”
This year
the program has
been expanded to
30 students at
Salem alone. The
students were
tutored in an afterschool
setting twice weekly over a 10-week period. The objectives of the program
include providing a research-based early intervention program for students who
are experiencing language and literacy issues and providing volunteer tutors with
the opportunity to learn research-based techniques and apply them in real-life
situations.
The LINKS program was developed in 1999 by the Learning Disabilities
Association of Nova Scotia (LDANS) with input from speech-language pathologists,
psychologists, special education teachers and parents of children with learning
disabilities. The program has undergone significant testing and reformation,
and has achieved much success in both Halifax and Dartmouth. The curriculum
was designed based on the latest research and has trademarked methods and
lessons which must be followed by the volunteer tutors. The LINKS program
was first brought to the LDANB in Fredericton in 2008 as part of LDANS Children’s
Literacy Program Satellite Expansion Project, made possible through a federal
grant. Fredericton was one of five sites chosen across Canada, along with Sydney
and Wolfville, Nova Scotia, St. John’s Newfoundland, and Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Rubin indicated that LDANB has recently procured funding from the Harrison
McCain Foundation to expand the program into Saint John and Moncton, as well
as resume it in Fredericton.
Tutoring sessions provide systematic and explicit instruction in phonological
awareness, phonics, vocabulary skills, fluent reading comprehension, writing and
spelling. Ongoing progress monitoring and post-testing are built into the program.
LINKS aims to help students become competent, independent learners through
the experience of good books and opportunities for good writing.
Resource teacher Ellen Hicks joined forces with Mount Allison students Lisa
Riley and Breanna Rogers to recruit more than 20 student volunteers from the
university, each of whom attended a full training session and committed to giving
2 volunteer hours a week at the school. “We have always been very lucky to be
able to partner with Mount Allison University student volunteers. The LINKS
program is a great way to utilize our many volunteers to provide one-to-one
instruction for our students,” stated Mrs. Hicks.
The parents of participants in the program were overwhelmingly positive
about the program. One parent stated, “My son seemed to enjoy his learning
and he now attacks reading tasks with a new excitement!” Another concurred,
“My child made significant improvements in her ability to reason. She went from
guessing at answers to truly thinking about a solution. Her reading skills have
improved significantly. Overall, this is a fantastic program!”
The Salem students were not the only ones learning during the tutoring
sessions. As one tutor put it, “My experience with LINKS was wonderful.
I really enjoyed working with my students and enjoyed the bond we developed. I’m
happy to have had this experience as it taught me a lot about education, literacy,
and myself. This is a great program!” For another tutor: “Overall, I had a great
experience as a LINKS volunteer. I am really glad that I participated as a tutor
in this program and I will definitely be continuing in the next session. I saw some
great progress with my student which was really encouraging.”
The school is thankful for the generous volunteer support and the financial
contributions from donors (including The Learning Disabilities Association of
New Brunswick as well as the local Moncton Chapter, Legs for Literacy, Armour
Transport, Payzant Home Hardware, Moneris Solutions, Coastal Inn and the
Sackville Lions Club). Donations were used to purchase resources needed
for the start-up of the program including books at various reading levels and
materials to copy and laminate the vowel, consonant and word cards used in the
lessons. We have been able to offer LINKS as a tutoring program free of charge
largely because of the tremendous support of our community!
8
Spring 2012

“CAN’T WAIT”
to go to school
By Lorraine Kennedy
Kindergarten is an exciting new adventure for children, one that some
embrace with unbridled enthusiasm and one that others approach with
an eager nervousness, finding the experience both exciting and scary at
the same time. As parents, we worry about our children: Are they ready
Have I prepared them Where did the time go While some of us approach
this transition with enthusiasm, many of us, just like our children, experience
a nervousness that can be exciting and sometimes scary.
Every October and November School District 2 welcomes over 1000 new
pre-kindergarten children and their families. Through events like registering for
‘big school’, the Kindergarten Kick-off for parents and the anticipated ‘Welcome to
Kindergarten’ event at our 27 elementary schools, our pre-kindergarten children
and their families are introduced to their new school community.
It is a time of new experiences and expectations for both children and parents,
which includes lots of questions and concerns for the future. The Transition to
School Program is about partnering with families, designed to support them
in preparing their children for school. Together we seek to answer the many
questions about school readiness and the skills necessary for a positive transition
to school. The Early Years Evaluation (EYE) in January provides parents with
feedback about their child’s development and is a starting place for answering
many questions. While some children can be shy coming into a new environment,
most are excited to show us what they know. The ‘snap shot’ that the EYE gives
provides a place to start, often confirming what a parent knows and sometimes
identifying areas not previously considered that might benefit from some extra
attention. Offering the assessment in January provides an opportunity to work
on skills over the coming months before school starts. Materials and weekly
sessions are available to support skills development, as well as referrals to
programs and other resources within the community. Sometimes the ‘snap shot’,
like all pictures taken, does not tell the whole story, but the discussions around
those results are just as valuable in confirming for parents that their child is ready
for school. Over the next few months children will have another opportunity to visit
their school and to be in the classroom for enrichment and Kindergarten Orientation.
Transition to school is an important time for children, their families and
their school community. It is a continuum of the first five years of a child’s life
and learning. Research tells us that “children who make a smooth transition
and experience early school success tend to maintain higher levels of social
competence and academic achievement (Alexander & Entwisle, 1988; Early,
Pianta, & Cox, 1999; Luster & McAdoo, 1996; Shepard & Smith, 1989)”.
Together we can work towards a positive transition to school that is
embraced with an enthusiastic “CAN’T WAIT!”. For more information please visit
http://www.district2.nbed.nb.ca/kindergarten-connection.asp.
Spring 2012 9

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At Baragar we consider our Clients to be partners
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What makes us special Our Clients tell us our actions
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Tel 604-535-3690 • Fax 604-535-3674
www.baragar.com • Email solutions@baragar.com
Come to Youth Entrepreneurship Camp this summer and
learn how to start and run your very own business!
Enterprise Greater Moncton is running three camps this summer.
Riverview:
Dieppe:
Moncton:
Coverdale Centre
July 16-20, 2012
(In partnership with the Town of Riverview)
Dieppe Arts and Culture Centre
July 23-27, 2012
(In partnership with the Economic Development Corporation of the City of Dieppe)
Mapleton Rotary Pavillion
July 30 - August 3, 2012
(In partnership with the City of Moncton)
For more information, or to register,
please contact Enterprise Greater Moncton
at (506) 858-9550 or visit www.greatermoncton.org.
Get in motion this summer!
By visiting the City of Moncton website
moncton.ca to find Healthy
Living activities.
SWIMMING
Centennial Beach 853-3506
Open on June 23 $4.00 general -12 yrs old
and under $3.00 - under 3yrs old FREE
(open daily 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.)
Centennial Splash Park 853-3506
Open daily, FREE
Knights of Pythias Pool:
43 Fergus Street - 853-3508
Open on June 23 - $2.00
(open daily 12:00 noon – 6:00 p.m.)
YMCA of Greater Moncton
Non-members can enjoy swimming for
$2.00 at the YMCA beginning June 24.
Monday & Wednesday – 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday & Thursday – 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday – 4:00 – 8:00 p.m.
These swimming times are sponsored
by the City of Moncton Parks and
Leisure Services.
Visit our PARKS AND TRAILS
Skateboard Park – Assumption Blvd.
Pump Track Bike Park: Centennial Park:
Both Parks open daily until 11:00 p.m.
Go for a walk, run or bike ride;
Mapleton Park • Centennial Park
Irishtown Nature Park • Riverfront Park
Humphrey’s Brook Trail • Northwest
Trail • Fairview Knoll Park
TENNIS MONCTON
Enjoy premier Tennis Courts at
Centennial Park!
Opening – April 30
SUMMER CAMP
Camp Centennial –
www.campcentennial.ca
COMMUNITY PLAYGROUNDS
Check the City of Moncton website for playground
locations and supervised playgrounds.
853-3516
10
Spring 2012

T.E.A.M.
Build Project
Tantramar Regional High School students are involved in a project that integrates community-mindedness,
the environment, skilled trades and technology, the Co-operative Education program, compassion,
and hands-on learning experiences.
By Heather Welling
Tantramar Regional High School students are involved in a project that
integrates community-mindedness, the environment, skilled trades
and technology, the Co-operative Education program, compassion,
and hands-on learning experiences. It is called TEAM Build.
The Tantramar Efficient and Affordable Model (TEAM) was a concept
developed out of a meeting between several students from Tantramar
Regional High School and Sustainable Sackville. From this meeting two
areas of concern stood out: there is an ongoing need for affordable housing
in Sackville and second: in considering issues of sustainability, the TEAM
wanted to focus on reducing energy and water consumption in town. It
seemed a logical
“We are working on interior framing this
semester, and have also installed a bathtub,
insulation, and some roofing. I am enjoying the
hands-on work and it suits my learning style.”
next step that we
bring community
partners together
to construct a
quality, affordable
and energy-efficient home in Sackville that can be a model for other such
construction. The idea was further developed by TRHS shop teacher
Blaine MacIsaac, who recognized an opportunity to have high school shop
students gain practical construction skills while at the same time filling the
need for affordable and efficient homes in the community. In conjunction
with Habitat for Humanity in Moncton, a project was born.
“In the past, under Rod Smith, the TRHS shop class built modest family
homes - in fact there are 11 such homes throughout town,” MacIsaac
explains. “With recommendations from Sustainable Sackville pushing
for more energy-efficient homes, the TEAM concept presented a great
opportunity to respond to the lack of affordable housing in the community,
while at the same time showcasing ways to build a house that is affordable
to maintain as well.” MacIsaac said that this will give students a look at
the construction process in more detail, allowing them to get more handson
experience and become more motivated about their work.
Students are also excited about the chance to be involved in such a
project. Jesse Hardy, a grade 12 student, is very pleased with the project.
“We are working on interior framing this semester, and have also installed
a bathtub, insulation, and some roofing. I am enjoying the hands-on work
and it suits my learning style. It is a great project because someone who
can’t afford a house can get one at a reasonable price. It is good to build
something for somebody else who needs it.” Two other grade 12 students,
Spencer Estabrooks and Garret McInnis report: “We have been working on
framing the walls, and doing wiring, roofing and insulation. We really enjoy
learning all about building a house. We are learning a lot of different skills
that we can use in the future. It sure is nice to help out someone who
needs a home.”
The project will continue throughout the semester. Currently, the work
is being done at TRHS and students are working out of the woodshop.
Once the site for the house has been prepared, the house will be moved
to the construction site and students will continue to work through the
semester on the house with a possible completion date of June 2012.
Spring 2012 11

Come and enjoy free concerts
in the park by up-and-coming
artists this July and August!
Tuesdays at 7 p.m.
Victoria Park
Thursdays at 7 p.m.
City Hall Plaza
• Rock concerts, singer-songwriters,
pop, punk, fiddling, dance and more!
• Seating and snacks on site or bring
your friends and a picnic!
moncton.caACOUSTICA SERIES
FUll lInE-UP at www.moncton.ca!
Facebook.com/cityofmoncton.villedemoncton
Follow us
@CityofMoncton
DAY CAMPS
MAGnETIC HIll ZOO
Magnetic Hill Zoo Summer Day Camps
• Fun, weeklong educational camps
available in English and French
• Children ages 5-12 years
• Registration is limited (fills quickly)!
InFO: 877-7722
www.mhzooeducation.com
AGEnT M MOnCTOn MUSEUM
Attention kids ages 6 to 10!
Did you know… The Moncton Museum holds
workshops every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Make new friends
• Play games
• Do experiments
• Make crafts
Info: 856-4325
www.moncton.ca/heritage
$6
Temporary location:
Thomas Williams House (103 Park Street)
CELEBRATION of DIALOGUE
Moncton is celebrating its 10 th anniversary
as an officially bilingual city… and you’re
invited to commemorate our uniqueness!
Thursday
August 2
at City Hall
FREE!
Youth showcase and
special guests
Stay tuned for details!
Info: 853-3593
or moncton.ca
12
Spring 2012

Harrison Trimble
Construction
Trades Program
By Nancy Pipes
In 2004 Robert Brockbank, a journeyman carpenter and trades and technical
teacher, was teaching computers at HTHS. Robert became friends with
Richard Kitchen, a journeyman mechanic, and also a trades and tech teacher,
who was at the time teaching Co-op. Through numerous discussions they
came to the conclusion that bussing students to BMHS to learn the trades
wasn’t working; Trimble should have its own construction program. Their vision
resulted in the creation of the Construction Trades program at HTHS, the only
program of its kind in NB.
In consulting with contacts in the local industry, Robert and Dick designed
the program to encompass construction trades, carpentry, electrical, plumbing,
heating, ventilation, air conditioning and masonry. They knew the initial start-up
costs would be reasonable as they would not require a lot of expensive equipment
to launch the program, so Dick worked on getting funding while Rob developed
the curriculum. They secured a commitment from Norval McConnell, the principal
at the time, and the course was then approved as a local option, but they had no
suitable facility in which to teach the course. For the first two years Robert and
Dick taught Construction Trades at Lewisville and MacNaughton, using their shop
and outdoor facilities. Once the new gym was completed at HTHS, the space that
had been used as a lower gym became available for the new Trades program, and
renovations were soon underway.
The District converted the lower gym space, creating a spacious, well- equipped
shop and providing the necessary upgrades to the ventilation, electrical, and fire
safety systems. Start-up funding came from the Department of Education, the
Department of Advanced Training and Employment, a grant from District 2, as
well as support from the Moncton NE Construction Association (which is made
up of local trades).
Now, HTHS students interested in skilled trades are encouraged to take
the grade 10 Introduction to Applied Technology course, which gives them a
foundation in electrical, carpentry and the essential skills utilized in the skilled
trades. Twenty successful students then apply for the Grade 11 Construction
program which is a 4 credit course held each afternoon for a full school year.
They build a 5 unit motel in the Construction shop, doing the carpentry, electrical
wiring, plumbing, drywall, tiling, windows and doors, and interior and exterior
finishing. At the end of April every year, the motel is dismantled and recycled into
garden sheds, which are then sold in the community; the proceeds are invested
back into the program. By building the sheds students learn roofing, siding, and
exterior finishing, and are also involved in loading, delivering and setting up the
sheds - some of which are also wired for electricity.
Robert makes the point that without the sale of the sheds, the program could
no longer exist, as there is no provincial funding available for ‘consumables’ in
courses such as the Trades and other specialty programs. In grade 12, students
do one or two co-op placements in the trade of their choice. Only Construction Trades
students are permitted to take two Co-op courses. The placements often lead to
full-time employment and/or apprenticeships after graduation. Graduates also often
go to study civil engineering or skilled trades at the community college level.
Robert is very proud of this program because of the success of the kids
who take it, “this program is working!”. It provides a new opportunity for skills
development as well as fills the niche for tactile/kinesthetic learners who
want/need more out of their high school program.
With the recently announced shipbuilding contract in Halifax and opportunities
in construction all over the Maritimes and out west, right now the future for
students learning skilled trades is looking very positive. Robert also points out
that the kids who complete the program have an enriched life; they now have a
variety of skills necessary to have a more complete, satisfying, independent life.
Dick Kitchen retired from HTHS in 2007 but still takes an active interest in the
program and is an educational consultant with the NE Construction Association.
Robert has made presentations about Construction Trades to PEI and NS, but
at this time the Harrison Trimble Construction Trades program is the only one of
its kind in NB.
Spring 2012 13

District 2
Ach evers
Achievers has been created to
recognize and thank people from
District 2 and the community who
have gone above and beyond.
These people have been nominated
by various individuals and we believe
they should be celebrated for all of
their hard work and dedication.
Promise of Olympic Dreams
After trying WWE moves on his brothers, Promise Mwenga decided to try wrestling
in middle school, and joined the Birchmount wrestling team. His interest continued
at Harrison Trimble High School and it proved to be a great decision, winning two
consecutive MVP awards at the provincial championships, medals from numerous
national championships and a bronze medal from the Commonwealth Games.
Promise won the Canadian Olympic Trials in December of 2011, making it the
second consecutive Canadian trials that he has won. In 2008 he was one match
away from qualifying in his weight class and competing at the Olympics in China.
Unfortunately, his loss to a Cuban athlete delayed his hopes. However, that did not
stop Promise. It was at that point that he began his quest for the 2012 Olympics.
Many athletes want to compete at the Olympics but the determination and talent
that accompanies his desire is what sets Promise apart. Training for two or
three hours a day while balancing work and family makes his journey difficult, but
not impossible. Promise does not see things as impossible. He can only see
opportunities for greatness.
Jason Lewis
One District 2 Achiever is Jason Lewis, Vice Principal at Riverview Middle School. Every so often a parent
comes across an individual who helps to make a difference, and Mr. Lewis has certainly done that for
us! He works hard with all the children and his passion and dedication shine through. Dealing with him
from a parent’s perspective, I really can’t say enough good things about him. He definitely goes above
and beyond to help. He treats the children (no matter what their issues) with great respect, and in turn
is respected by them. The middle school years can be very difficult and he doesn’t let it show; he always
greets you with a smile and is very positive. He has helped our son overcome some obstacles this year
and I will forever be indebted to him! District 2 should be very happy to have him on their team!
14
Spring 2012

Noreen Hachey
Jarrett Crossman
Noreen Hachey has been instrumental
in motivating struggling readers to love
reading at Sunny Brae School. As a
Resource teacher, she uses a program
called “Lexia” to develop reading skills.
To speak to Noreen you would walk away
thinking this program is a miracle. When
she found funding to purchase the program
the look on her face was as if she had won
the lottery. Some students begin at a grade
2 or 3 level and by the time they move on
to high school they are at an appropriate
reading level. Some of the grade 8 reading
buddies she uses to foster the younger
ones started off with Lexia. Reading
buddies is during D.E.A.R time and when
the buddies go throughout the school,
EVERYWHERE students are reading! When
someone has the opportunity to speak to
her about the success you hear and feel
very quickly the intense passion she has
for the students and her hunger for their
success. It’s amazing to witness the joy
that reading brings to those who thought
they couldn’t learn, but Ms.Hachey made
them believe. She is the first to celebrate
when a student conquers a new level of the
program. Lexia has guided the students to
learn how to read, but Noreen Hachey has
been victorious in developing their desire
for knowledge.
The Lou MacNarin Cheerleaders
The Lou MacNarin cheerleaders
have been hard at work since
September perfecting routines,
tumbling and stunting. The
cheerleaders are represented
in two different teams, the
Juniors (grades 3-5) who have
been instrumental in bringing
school spirit to sporting events
where they’ve cheered, and the
Senior team (grades 6-8) who
have been competing all over
the province.
The first competition that the team attended was at École Millidgeville
North School, and the squad was thrilled to have placed fifth. The
second competition attended was at Bliss Carman Middle School;
the girls placed second overall and were awarded second and third
place medals for stunt groups. The team is excitedly preparing for
other competitions including Provincials on May 5th, 2012.
Many of the Lou MacNarin senior cheerleaders will be graduating
from middle school this year and are looking forward to joining and
competing with local High School cheerleading teams!
Jarrett Crossman is a grade 10 student at Petitcodiac Regional School who
knows the meaning of “small town, big dreams.” In January, Jarrett got to
experience what it means to be an Olympic Athlete, playing for the Canadian
Youth Hockey Team in the first Youth Olympics held in Innsbruck, Austria; he was
the only person from NB on the team. The Canadian team played a total of six
games in the tournament. The five teams included: Canada, Finland, Russia,
USA, and Austria. Jarrett had two assists on his journey, and was able to bring
home a bronze medal. He was accompanied to Austria by his mother, sister,
and grandmother. Jarrett is a hard-worker, who shows potential both on and off
the ice. He is dedicated to his sport and also takes his education seriously.
For more information you can visit: www.innsbruck2012.com.
The Bennett &
Albert County Health
Care Foundation
The Bennett & Albert County Health Care
Foundation is a group of Achievers supporting
literacy for our very youngest learners.
Recognizing the significance of literacy as
one of the key determinants of health, the
Foundation made a commitment to support
the Imagination Library for children ages
0-5 who live in Albert County. Through the
Imagination Library and the generous support
of the Bennett & Albert County Health Care
Foundation, every child living in the catchment
area of Riverside Consolidated School or
Hillsborough Elementary can register for the
program and receive a book once a month.
The Imagination Library inspires a love of
reading and supports the bond between
parent and child as they share a good book
together, and helps ensure that children are
ready for kindergarten as they approach their
5th birthday. This is the 4th year that the
Foundation has supported this important
family literacy initiative, and currently there
are 100 children registered to receive books.
Spring 2012 15

Culinary
Tech
Inspires
Budding Chefs
By Sylvia Curry
Sweet and spicy smells mixed together in the air, and the classroom was
abuzz with the students’ excitement. It was “test day” for the culinary
tech students at Magnetic Hill School, but this kind of test was fun to
study for.
In the style of popular cooking shows, the Grade 6 students were having
a little competition. They had each prepared their favourite recipe, and were
getting ready to go in front of the judges. Each dish would be judged on
appearance and taste, while the students presented their recipes, cooking
instructions and nutrient breakdown to the judging panel. Student presentation
skills (voice, eye contact, organization) were also assessed.
who first surveyed students to see what they wanted to learn to cook and
where their culinary interests were. The survey results were used to determine
what main foods were to be cooked and the recipes were chosen from various
sources, such as family favourites, cookbooks, internet, and the new “Chefs!”
toolkit resource put out by the Department of Wellness, Culture and Sport.
Students also learned cooking terminology, table etiquette and how to set a
table both formally and informally.
The module started slowly to see how students did in a kitchen with the
completion of two recipes per class, but by the end of the module, they were
completing four different recipes per class. Students worked in groups to
complete their recipes to share with the class. All students received copies of
the recipes that were created in class. The class rule was that everyone had to
taste everything that was made (unless allergic) and rate it. It did not matter if
they ate all of it, but they had to at least have a ‘taste’.
Recipes that students prepared were Corn Chowder, Corn on the Cob,
Broccoli Mac & Cheese Bake, Meatballs, Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins,
Strawberry Apple Salsa, Snowballs, Homemade Chicken Fingers, Twice Baked/
The food judges included Principal Nick Smith, Alex Curry, and special
guest, Ray Fowler, Executive Chef from Maverick’s Restaurant and a personal
friend of Mr. Curry. Culinary Tech teacher Sylvia Curry assessed presentations
and recipe components.
The Culinary Tech Module at Magnetic Hill School is one of four modules
grade 6 students will be completing this year. It was developed by Mrs. Curry
16
Spring 2012

Strawberry Apple Salsa with Crunchy Cinnamon Crisps
Skill Level: Easy
Serves: 8
Prep time: 10-15 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes
Strawberry Apple Salsa Instructions:
1. Spread berries on a large sheet pan to thaw (about 30 minutes).
2. In a large bowl, mash the berries with a potato masher.
3. Wash, core and dice the apples and add to berries.
4. Add the honey or maple syrup, zest and juice.
Crunchy Cinnamon Crisps Instructions:
1. Using a pastry brush, brush tortillas with a little bit of water, then sprinkle with the
cinnamon sugar mixture.
2. Cut each tortilla into wedges using a pizza cutter or a chef’s knife and place them on a
baking sheet.
3. Bake 400 °F about 5 min or until golden brown.
4. Let tortillas cool then use them to scoop up the salsa.
Ingredients
2 cups frozen whole strawberries or
or 1 pound container of fresh berries, sliced
2 medium apples
1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
zest from half an orange
(use the fine side of a grater)
juice of ½ an orange
2 tbsp mint, freshly chopped (optional)
4 whole wheat or whole grain tortillas
1 tbsp white sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
Simple Stuffed Potatoes, Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, and Shirley Temples.
A breakfast-themed class happened to fall on Pancake Tuesday with the creation
of Pancakes, French Toast, Crepes, and fruit smoothies. Extra samples were
shared with grade 6 homeroom teachers, administration, office staff, and other
staff members chosen by students.
Mr. Smith commented that, “the staff and students at Magnetic Hill have
taken initiatives at the school this year to support healthy living and eating.
We have become a Breakfast Clubs of Canada School and with this funding
we have made a conscious effort to improve the nutritional quality of the food
served each day. The School participated in the Jump Rope for Heart program
as part of an assembly sponsored by our “Red Rockets” Team with an emphasis
on movement and making good food choices. As a school we participated in
the Crunch and Move challenge with daily school-wide movement activities and
healthy snacks. In our new technology lab we have been exploring the “Chefs!”
toolkit from the Province of New Brunswick with emphasis on food education
and making healthy choices at the grade 6-8 level. We have worked with our
cafeteria staff to offer more healthy options and greater choice of items when
eating at the cafeteria. Each small step has allowed us to move on the journey
towards a healthier lifestyle at Magnetic Hill School.
The recipes students provided on the day of their competition will eventually
be put together to form a grade 6 cookbook. Students will get copies and
these cookbooks will act as a fundraiser for the Tech Department at the school.
Rumor has it that Chef Fowler will be contributing some recipes.
For now, we leave you with a favourite recipe from the Chefs! toolkit
for Strawberry Apple Salsa. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did!!
Over 20
Great Career
Choices
to Consider
506.858.9696
www.oultoncollege.com
Spring 2012 17

Girls Only Please
By Charlotte Love
If you walk the halls in any high school during the month of April, one hot topic
of conversation among students will be what courses they plan to select for
the upcoming year. This selection process really is a big deal to our students
and one they want to “get right”. It can be a stressful time for them as it
marks a point in their life when they begin to make decisions for themselves,
often without help from their parents, which will influence their future.
One course that I am thrilled to see offered at Riverview High School is
a grade 10 Girls Only Physical Education class. When Principal Reath gave
approval to officially move forward with the concept I knew it was the right
decision for many of our girls. Having taught grade 9 Physical Education for
several years, where all students are required to take a nine-week block of
Physical Education, I have seen first-hand how some of the females disappear
from the grade 10 curriculum. In grade 9, classes are equally split between
males and females but in grade 10 the ratio of females drops considerably to
less than one third. Why do so many females disappear I have asked many
students this very question and some answers consistently surface. “I don’t
like going to my next class sweaty”, “There is no time to shower”, “I don’t
like team sports”, “I’m self-conscious around the guys”, “The guys are so
competitive, it’s not fun for me”, or “I’m not competitive by nature”. The longstanding
debate between co-ed physical education classes versus separate
male and female classes will not be solved here. I believe both have their
advantages and disadvantages but what I’m excited about is that we are giving
our girls the choice between the two here at RHS.
The focus in the Girls Only class is on lifelong wellness activities.
Current statistics indicate that 90% of high school graduates will not return
to a gym setting again throughout their lifetime so the need for them to
become independently healthy is imperative. Examples of activities we have
been exploring together are swimming enrichment, cross-country skiing,
snowshoeing, hiking, dance, yoga, step classes, resistance training,
self-defence classes and a ‘Learn to Run 5K’ clinic. Several of the girls will
have participated in the Transplant Trot on April 14th to show support for organ
donation and have completed their first 5K race.
In 2011, NB once again scored the lowest in the country on the Active
Healthy Kids Report Card on Physical Activity. It is apparent that we need to
provide our youth with the necessary tools on how to stay healthy. The reality is
that by exercising between 30-60 minutes each day we can significantly reduce
the chances of developing hypertension (high blood pressure), heart disease,
type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, Osteoarthritis and some forms of cancer later in
life. This reality, however, is not simple! We live in a world of instant gratification
where with the click of a mouse or the press of the send button, our youth
have their needs met immediately. Obtaining and maintaining good health is
a lifelong journey, one that I committed to when I was a grade 11 student at
RHS in 1981. It is my hope that through a non-competitive environment with
exposure to a variety of activities, some of my girls might commit to the same
wonderful journey.
18
Spring 2012

Snow
Motion
By Shannon Doyle and Sheila Thomas
The first snow of the season is always a reason to celebrate for most
kids. But that natural enthusiasm explodes into a frenzy of excitement
at Havelock Elementary School. Principal Shannon Doyle says that
“although they are lucky to have a large play area and new gymnasium
at our school, they are equally blessed to have pastures, forests, small brooks
and a local airstrip adjacent to the school property. It’s like having a nature
park at their doorstep, where science becomes reality in terms of weather
conditions, animal tracks and natural seasonal changes.”
Over the years, some of these familiar locations have gained their own
unique nicknames, like the “Wardrobe” (from C.S. Lewis’s The Lion, The Witch
and The Wardrobe); a line of trees that act like a stage curtain. When the
flexible fir branches are pulled back, they reveal a long hay field we call Narnia.
Every year the grade 4’s learn to cross-country ski, so that first snowfall is
the signal for the fun to begin. What started many years ago as an attempt to
keep kids fit in the winter in a school with no proper gym has evolved into an
important, regular component of the Physical Education program. The usual
skills of diagonal stride, stops, right and left turns combine with great aerobic
exercise to form the basic framework of the unit. However, it would seem
that learning of much more significance takes place. Students are faced with
real-life issues that require responsibility, practice, stamina, independence
and team work. These lessons learned on the trail have a great deal of
impact in other areas of their lives: academics, social behaviours and sense
of community.
After a few weeks, it is common for students to say, “I’m asking for skis for
my birthday”. That indeed is music to a teacher’s ears knowing that students
have become hooked on an outdoor activity that will benefit them for their whole
lives.
As spring approaches, the snow begins to disappear and the skis are
packed away. This year, as Havelock celebrates the school’s 100th anniversary,
students past and present will treasure memories of snow-filled pastures, trees
heavy with icy frosting and that delicious exhaustion that comes only from
pushing the physical limits.
“It’s fun to get to go out to different places snowshoeing,
and see different animals. We sometimes also get to
go up to the airport and see planes take off and land.”
Hannah Wheaton, grade 3
“When we go snowshoeing and skiing, we can see different animal
tracks like field mice, rabbits and deer. We also get to see many different
birds, their nests and trees. There is one tree where birds have made many,
many holes, looking for food. Under this tree, we usually take a break and
talk about what we’ve seen that day.”
Matthew Carson, grade 4
“I really like cross-country skiing, slow or fast, it’s like an adventure!
When you fall, it’s a challenge, but it’s still fun and you learn different ways
to get back up. When we go, we might take the same way, but other times
we’ll go to different places and it’s like discovering something new.”
Mattea Paterson, grade 4
“I like it because it gives me motivation, and it
builds up muscle for Track & Field. I like to feel
the wind in my face, and skiing down the hills fast!”
Zachary Duncan, grade 4
“I enjoy snowshoeing and skiing because you get lots of exercise and
you can enjoy the scenery. You get to spend time with your friends at the
same time that you’re getting in shape. We get to see lots of deer tracks
and sometimes even see them [the deer] running down the field.“
Joel Steeves, grade 5
Spring 2012 19

District 2’s
District Education Council
Shaping the future
by providing
quality public education
for our children.
District Education Council members
are volunteers from your community working
collaboratively for quality
learning, services and program delivery.
Keep informed of
the District Education
Council’s efforts and
priorities by visiting the
District website at
www.district2.nbed.nb.ca/Dec/dec-about.asp
20
Spring 2012

Introducing the
S a c k v i l l e
S p e e d e r s
By Shaun Cunningham
You wouldn’t be alone if the term “competitive skipping” brings to
mind nothing more than small girls rushing to get the best spot on
the concrete to recite rhymes while jumping in one place. That’s
what I pictured when my grade 3 daughter came home years ago
and declared that she was joining the Skipping Club. “Skipping” I thought.
“Why not something that requires a little more movement and skill, like
soccer” Little did I know!
What started with a 99-cent rope and one practice a week has now taken
us to provincial and national competitions involving steel wire “speed ropes”,
scars and all. It began with jumping over the rope a set number of times and
has progressed to jumping once while the rope goes under the feet up to
five times for the experts at the Nationals. Back flips, front flips, push-ups,
“donkey kicks”, and what looks like advanced gymnastics or break dancing has
all become part of the skipping routine these days - and all of it while one or two
ropes keep going under the feet, coordinated, of course, to music.
It’s a sport all right. Skeptics who drop in at the National Skipping
Competition, to be held in Moncton for the first time this year, will come away
convinced of that fact. Events will include single, pair, and team choreographed
routines, as well as speed and endurance events.
The “Sackville Speeders” are proud to be co-sponsors of this year’s
National Competition, along with the “Jump Energy” team from Halifax. It was
only seven years ago that one Sarah Dobrowolski, a several-time National
Champion skipper attending Mount Alison University wandered into Salem
Elementary School looking for the opportunity to utilize her skills as a team
leader. Maureen Kissick heard about it from her daughter, Shuanglian, and
agreed to act as teacher sponsor and manager. Maureen has continued in this
role since then, despite Sarah’s departure. Recreational skipping for young
students takes place once a week, while those who choose to go on to the
competitive level are now coached by Lucia Neander, another Mount Allison
student with background honours in competitive skipping in Oregon and British
Columbia. Lucia also happens to be a gymnast and has brought a new level of
skill and expectation to the team. Since 2005, the Speeders have developed
to the point where medals are being brought home from the Nova Scotia
Provincial championships and their horizons have expanded to two previous
National competitions. This year, they will act as hosts to teams from most
Canadian provinces and skippers ranging in age from 8 to adult.
Why skipping “Because it’s affordable and accessible for everyone,” says
Ms Kissick. “Anyone can do it. All you need is a rope, some shoes, determination,
and practice.” Present coach, Lucia Neander, adds that besides the physical
benefits of skipping, she is always amazed to see the older skippers act as
positive role models and coaches for the younger ones - and sometimes the
other way around. “It’s about team-work,” she says. “There’s the whole social
aspect of working with others and counting on them to get that rope under your
feet at the right second.”
The Sackville Speeders are always looking for new team members, both
female and male, and they would be glad to show you what it’s all about at the
Université de Moncton from May 18th to 21st. Admission (and autographs!) are
free - and it might be the only time you get to see a “quadruple-under rodeo with
an octopus side-kick” in this lifetime. Go ahead, try it at home!
Spring 2012 21

Look who’s from D2!
Interview with Northrop Frye (1912-1991)
By Bob Denham
By Bob Denham
Robert D. Denham is the John P. Fishwick Professor of
English, Emeritus, at Roanoke College. Previous to that
he was chair of the English department at Emory & Henry
College, and for two years he was Director of English
Programs at the Modern Language Association. He has had a
longstanding interest in Frye’s criticism. He has written and edited
more than 20 volumes on Frye, and answers these “interview”
questions based on his knowledge and research.
“The pursuit of beauty is much more dangerous nonsense than the pursuit of
truth or goodness, because it affords a stronger temptation to the ego.”
Northrop Frye
22
Spring 2012

What schools did you attend
I skipped the first three years of school. My mother taught me to read
when I was three, so I learned at home until she enrolled me in grade 4
at Victoria School when I was eight. The next year my family moved
south to Sussex, where I completed grade 5. We returned to Moncton
the following year, and I finished my schooling at Victoria School and
Aberdeen High School. I actually had, therefore, only eight years of formal
schooling before entering Victoria College at the University of Toronto
in 1929.
What kind of a student were you
I once said that I viewed my early education as “a form of penal servitude.”
I tended to devour history books when I was in grade 4, and when I was
in grade 10 my highest marks were in History (98%), Composition (95%),
English Literature (92%) and Grammar (90%). When I returned to Victoria
School following the year in Sussex, I did not do very well in arithmetic,
and at Aberdeen High School my marks in grade 10 were not very good in
Bookkeeping (51%), Arithmetic (47%) and Geometry (33%).
What was your favorite subject Least favorite
Favourite subjects: History and English, including Grammar. In grade 7
I began studying Latin and continued this all the way through grade 11.
I was interested in music at an early age, and when I was about nine
I developed plans to write eight concerti. At about the same time, after
reading Sir Walter Scott, I dreamt of writing a sequence of historical
novels. After making my way through the novels of Dickens and Thackeray,
this changed into ‘a sequence of eight definitive novels.’ I called this
my ‘ogdoad’, and later it guided the development of my writing career as a
literary critic.
Which teacher had the greatest influence on you
In elementary school –
Perhaps this was Miss Stannard in grade 4. She was aware
of my interest in history and predicted that I would one day
write a history book. I do remember that at age ten, on
340 High Street in Moncton, I started trying to imitate the style
of J.A. Cramb’s book on German imperialism.
In high school –
I discovered that one of my English teachers kept my
compositions, and I was touched by that. I hope it is not
too immodest to say that I delivered the valedictory at the
Aberdeen High closing exercises on June 25, 1928, and that
I received the Knights of Pythias prize for the highest standing
in grade 11 English Composition, as well as the prize in English
for grade 11, which was six months of free tuition at Success
Business College. And I did enroll at SBC after graduating,
completing a three month course there before heading off
to college.
What motivated you to achieve at school
I was fairly ambitious as a young person, but I was not at
all athletic. I determined early on to devote my talents and
energies to the life of the mind and the imagination.
Parting comments
“Control what you can control and influence what you cannot
control”. Powerful words that when truly understood and lived
by allow us to manage anything life throws at us.
Least favourite subject: Mathematics
What advice would you give teens going through school today
I think it is important to realize that achievement in any field requires
constant practice. One cannot play the piano well without a great deal of
practice; one cannot think without a great deal of thinking.
How did school influence your career choice
One of the books we read in grade 11, my final year at Aberdeen High,
was Palgrave’s Golden Treasury of Song and Lyrics. In this anthology
I discovered the works of John Milton, and encountering Milton was an
important factor in my decision to become an English teacher.
What do you love about your career choice
I loved having the freedom to read and write. I loved being able to
teach, especially undergraduates.
If you were not doing this what other career would you be doing
As already suggested, I toyed with the idea of becoming a fiction writer,
and in fact I did begin writing a novel in the 1940’s. I soon discovered,
however, that my talents lay elsewhere.
Spring 2012 23

Experiencing Poetry
By Stephanie Patterson
District 2 students from Salisbury to Port Elgin are participating in
creative writing on an international level. Thanks to the power of
technology, grade 12 students at JMA Armstrong High School in
Salisbury have been able to connect with New York City poet, Lenea
Grace. Lenea comes to the students via Skype and listens to their poetry while
sharing some of her own.
Teacher Heather Dixon says that the project was inspired by the students.
“The students were surveyed and it was evident that we needed a way to make
poetry fresh, fun and exciting. We wanted to give them choice in what they were
learning while still remaining true to the essential learning. Experiencing poetry
seemed like a perfect solution.”
Lenea is a past colleague of the teachers at JMA and Heather says they
naturally gravitated towards her due to her talent and dynamic personality. “In
“It makes me want to enter more
contests and try to get published.”
addition to reading
her poetry, she was
able to tell us of
going to readings
for the first time, how to get published and how to deal with rejection. Students
were encouraged to read Lenea their own poetry for feedback and several
students took advantage of this opportunity.”
Heather says that using Skype as a teaching tool just seemed like a natural
step in student learning. “Now that we have the technology in our classrooms,
using Skype to connect our students with professionals seems like the logical
next step in teaching.” Heather has noticed an improvement in students’
attitude toward poetry and she attributes that to the fact that they simply had
the choice to share their own and others’ pieces that they connected with;
receiving positive and timely feedback also contributes to student learning and
attitudes on creative processes.
Olivia Malone, a grade 8 student at Port Elgin Regional School, agrees
that feedback on writing inspires her to continue developing her craft - creative
writing. Olivia is a two-time first prize winner in the New Brunswick Command
Royal Canadian Legion Remembrance Day Literary Contest Provincial Finalists
2011, Intermediate Poem and in the Times & Transcript Newspaper Christmas
Essay Contest.
“It’s definitely given me more confidence in sharing my writing,” Olivia says.
“It makes me want to enter more contests and try to get published.”
Both of Olivia’s winning entries started as assignments for her English
class and she says she was surprised to find out that she won. She received
some prize money for her Remembrance Day poem and instead of spending it
on herself she donated a portion to a charity group called Mission 180. “The
amount of money I was able to donate provided a family in Kenya with food for
two months.”
Olivia says that receiving positive feedback on her writing has improved the
quality of what she produces and that she plans to continue to develop her
craft and hopefully write some novels in the future. “I just have to keep writing
and get some ideas,” says Olivia. “Hopefully I can write a few novels one day.”
Heather says that she noticed an astronomical improvement in her
students’ writing over the course of the poetry unit. She attributes the
immediate feedback they were receiving and the hands-on approach to poetry
the students were using.
“The students liked that we stepped out of the classroom to experience
poetry. They liked the choice in sharing poetry they liked and thought was
relevant. They enjoyed meeting a person who is writing for a living,” says
Heather. “For the most part, students have been more willing to take a chance
with their writing. In our final submissions of original selections, we were
blown away with the quality, honesty and variety. I think Lenea gave some real
advice when it came to budding young writers. She inspired those who were
on the cusp of trusting their ability. Students were eager to continue perfecting
their craft.”
24
Spring 2012

Highlighting ICT
in School District 2!
MY E-BACKPACK
By Mario Chiasson
School District 2 continues to move forward in the world of Information
and Communication Technology (ICT), maximizing tools for staff and
students alike.
Since 2003, the District has embraced the “New Brunswick
Education Portal” as a collaborative platform to share information with all
members of our learning community. As we continue to create a paperless
environment, many projects have proven to be very helpful and effective.
Textbook order forms, a daily Professional Development calendar, the student
assessment database and school improvement planning are some projects,
to name a few. As we move forward, District 2 continues to develop this
collaborative platform and there are many projects currently in their test phase:
a bullying tracking system, teacher profiles, school profiles and inventory,
student virtual classroom and minor repair requests. Many of those projects
will be implemented this coming September. In order to support and sustain
all of these initiatives, the ICT Team comprised of Technicians, Tech Mentors,
School Information System staff and a Programmer have been meeting monthly
to discuss, share challenges and find solutions collectively.
Five schools in our district have been involved in a provincial “Demonstration
Schools Project”, where students have access to a personal netbook (mini
laptop) or to a cart of Netbooks. Each school developed an action research
project to determine the effectiveness of using the Netbook (an ICT device) as
an instructional tool. Recently, the New Brunswick Department of Education
has met with all schools involved with the project and they were quite impressed
and encouraged by the school’s research findings. Our five Demonstration
Schools are Salisbury Elementary, Salisbury Middle, Sunny Brae, Harrison
Trimble High and Tantramar Regional High Schools.
The District completed
a two-year research study
on mobile learning (My
e-Backpack, grade 7 at
RMS) where 170 students,
7 teachers and 10 school
administrators used a
mobile device (iPod) as an
instructional tool. Based on all the data collected, it is clear that we need
to find solutions to safely incorporate ICT devices as an instructional tool.
The results also indicated that students showed an increase in the literacy and
numeracy achievement results after two years. More information can be found
at this blog site: http://mye-backpack.blogspot.ca.
The evolution of ICT has definitely changed the way people communicate,
collaborate, cooperate, and from an education perspective, the ways in which
students can learn. Using video conferences to communicate, podcasts
and blogs to publish, and collaborative platforms to share resources have
created an environment where students can be in charge of their learning.
With that being said, it definitely creates
some questions about how, when and
where students can learn. Through the
effective and efficient use of ICT and
new technologies, we can redefine the
process of learning.
Spring 2012 25

Districts 1 & 2 Score
Musical Home Runs
with NBYO, Sistema and “RADIO RADIO ORCHESTRE ORCHESTRA”
By Don Matheson
Orchestral Workshops
Since 2010 District 2 and the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra have
collaborated on regional instrumental music workshops, coinciding
with annual NBYO concerts at the Moncton Wesleyan Celebration
Centre. Nearly 600 area elementary and high school musicians have
participated over the past three years. Outstanding professional NBYO and
Sistema faculty members have coached and mentored student musicians
in partnership with leading District 1 & 2 Music Specialists. Each year, all
workshop participants have the opportunity to attend NBYO rehearsals and
concerts. Throughout its nearly 50-year history, hundreds of NBYO members
have attended District 2 schools, and they continue to excel in local middle and
high school performances. Many have graduated to study music at universities
and conservatories across Canada.
This year NBYO again partnered with Districts 1 and 2 to organize orchestral
workshops on Saturday, February 18th at the Wesleyan Centre. The coordinator
from District 2 was Music Specialist Laura Huffaker of Lewisville Middle School.
Her counterpart from District 1 was Monica Lang, who teaches and conducts
orchestral music at École Le Mascaret. NBYO workshop coordinator was
Sistema Centre Director David Parker.
The following Sistema NB faculty members taught sectionals:
• Ulises Aragon Trumpet
• François Godère Trombone
• Kevin Johnson Percussion
• Monica Lang Strings & Conductor
• David Parker French Horn
• Gregory Parra Clarinet & Saxophone
• Angela Phi Flute
French and English students shared their common love of orchestral
music throughout the day, working on an exciting repertoire. All instrument
sections combined forces for an afternoon performance, attended by hundreds
of spellbound relatives in the Wesleyan Life Centre. It was another moment
of music-making magic. Monica Lang commented, “Merci beaucoup...thanks to
Sistema NBYO...my kids just loved their weekend. They are asking me when is
the next workshop. You really touched a lot of students. MERCI!”
26
Spring 2012

“RADIO RADIO ORCHESTRE ORCHESTRA”
That evening,
students and teachers
alike were treated to
an outstanding concert,
performed by the NBYO
with special guest
artists Radio Radio.
The spectacular was
co-hosted by District
2 Arts Learning
Specialist Blair
Lawrence and Monica
Lang. It’s not every
day you can see
and hear classical
compositions by
Bizet, Rossini, and
Tchaikovsky coupled
with the Acadian hip-hop of Radio Radio. But nearly 1,400 delighted patrons
couldn’t resist some toe tapping to the show finale—Pérez-Prado’s Mambo
Potpourri. Bell Aliant sponsored a video recording of the event by Hemmings
House Pictures, and Radio Canada captured the concert for future radio
broadcast.
One of the concert highlights was a historic first for two young Sistema
musicians—Lucy Higgins and Alice Campbell from Edith Cavell School. They
were rewarded for their hard work and musical progress with an invitation to
perform the Mambo Potpourri with NBYO. They could not have picked a peppier
time or place to make their orchestral debut.
Sistema NB is now in its third year of operation. The rapid expansion of the
program, generously supported by partnership with School District 2, resulted
in a move from Beaverbrook School to Queen Elizabeth School last summer.
There are now over 160 greater Moncton area elementary students enrolled
in Sistema Moncton. They learn music, social skills, and teamwork from 1:30
to 5:00 PM every school day—under the guidance of fifteen Sistema faculty
musicians and NBYO Music Director/Conductor Antonio Delgado. District 2 EAs
Vanessa Hannington and Amber Slaunwhite also support Sistema Moncton,
along with several District 2 high school Co-op and university student volunteers.
Last December, NBYO staged its second annual Sistema Christmas-at-the-
Capitol concert at the Capitol Theatre. Over 700 family and friends attended
the show and were dazzled by the virtuosity of 160 young Sistema musicians
and the excellence of the District 2 Middle School Choir, led by Music Specialist
Leanne Delaney. (images across top of page)
Don’t miss the 2012 Sistema Season Finale at the Wesleyan
Centre on June 14, 2012
Immediately prior to the concert, Aubrey Kirkpatrick received public
recognition of Sistema Program support on behalf of District 2 from Sistema
Capital Campaign Chair David Holt.

ART in Di
Learning through Clay
By Scott Hamer
ArtsSmarts is a national organization that promotes “teaching, learning,
doing and thinking” through the Arts. For our small class of 16 at-risk
students from the Petitcodiac Alternative Education Center, it was a
great opportunity for them to experience a unique educational project
that would energize them as students.
Talented artist Dorrie Brown began working with our class in September,
bringing a whole new energy into the classroom that most of the students had
never experienced before. Her weekly visits soon became the highlight of the week.
The project consisted of students developing individual clay tablets that
will be displayed together as a large mural at Petitcodiac Regional School. The
tablets exhibit the beautiful New Brunswick forest and the local community of
Petitcodiac. At first, the students were resistant to the idea of learning about
forestry in New Brunswick and the community of Petitcodiac. Guest speakers
visited the Alternative Site in hopes of motivating the students to take more
interest in the topics. The students remained somewhat disinterested, and the
thought of completing a complicated art project seemed like a daunting task.
The day came
when we began
sketching ideas
for the students’
individual clay tablets.
This is where the
magic happened!
The students were
immediately engaged
in the project. We
were so impressed to
see that the students
had begun referencing
the information that
they had learned from previous weeks about NB forestry and Petitcodiac history.
They wanted their sketches to be accurate representations of the topics they
chose. One student said: “we should have just started with this!”. Whether
they knew it or not, they were fully engaged in their learning and were applying
the knowledge they learned into their art project.
Dorrie’s visits would become more and more frequent as the students
began working on their pieces of clay. The class began to feel a sense of pride
in what they were doing. Principals, Vice-Principals, teachers, and students
started to see the amazing pieces of art that were being developed. Finally
we were seeing these students who had struggled due to behavior, attendance,
and/or academic issues succeed!
Dorrie and the ArtsSmarts project have allowed our students to feel a
strong sense of accomplishment and success while also learning valuable
curricular outcomes. A grade 10 student who has struggled for many years in
school expressed what we all feel: “Thanks Dorrie, we really appreciate what
you’re doing with us”.
28
Spring 2012

strict 2
A New Focus
By Jessica Fenton
My grade 7 ELA class is working on an ArtsSmarts project with
photography artist Maurice Henri. I feel blessed to have the
opportunity to teach through Art. We have been working on
three themes: Personal, Environmental, and Social. During
theme one, students were required to document their life through
24 photos in 24 hours. During theme two, we visited the Von Waldo Dairy farm
in Cornhill, NB where students learnt how Northumberland Dairy gets most of
their milk. For our last theme, we toured CBC studios and were interviewed
by Jonna Brewer for CBC Radio 1. The students were excited to expand on
what they have been learning. “We get to learn outside of the classroom” Tory
Dockree quoted during the interview.
It was during the interview, that I realized just how much the students were
learning and the impact it was having on them. Alex Keevins stated: “One of my
favorite parts, if I were a photographer, would probably be travelling the world
and seeing different places. I think that travelling to Haiti or Africa, places you
wouldn’t normally go to would be cool, and then you see inspiration that you
can use for photos”. The students truly are seeing the world in a new focus.
We are looking forward to our upcoming photography exhibit at the Moncton
Public Library.
Spring 2012 29

ART in Di strict 2
Artist in Residency
School Program
“Creative Thinking through Photography”
By Caroline Humar-Barett
With film photography becoming extinct, JMA Armstrong High school
is in the unique position to have a working darkroom. However,
few students knew it existed or how to use it as a creative outlet.
Through the Artist-in-Residency Schools program, which is made
possible through a grant given by
the Government of New Brunswick,
photographer Kyle Cunjak worked
with Visual Arts high school students
from grades 9 to 12. He introduced
students to the basics of photography
through the examination of the impact
of light and the creative possibilities
of photography through the use of
darkroom techniques. The project
involved students examining their
surroundings through the camera’s
lens and its artistic qualities. Cunjak
is considered an emerging artist who
has the ability to allow his audience
to relate to his work, yet be drawn in
by the sense of mystery of a subject.
The project finished in March with an
exhibition of the artwork in the school
exhibition space.
30
Spring 2012

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Riverview’s Kick off to summer
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June 28 – July 1
A Variety of SUMMER CAMPS
for ages 3 – 18!
Such as: Outdoor Adventures, Swim & Fun Camp,
Skateboarding Camps & much more!
FREE Outdoor Concerts
Every Wednesday night
from 7-8:30 p.m. at Caseley Park!
FREE Outdoor Movies
Every Friday Night
at dusk at Caseley Park!
Get the details at www.activeriverview.com Or call 387-2024
Spring 2012 31