Jump Rope and Hoops for Heart - School District 68

Welcome Message:A Magazine for the Families of the Nanaimo-Ladysmith School DistrictIssue 2 - Spring 2011395 Wakesiah AvenueNanaimo, British ColumbiaV9R 3K6www.sd68.bc.caConnectED is published quarterly by SchoolDistrict 68 (Nanaimo-Ladysmith), in partnershipwith Family Matters Publications. Approximately10,000 copies are distributed throughall SD68 schools and several community locationsfour times per year. SD68 is grateful to allthe advertising sponsors and supporters whohave made this issue possible. Proceeds fromadvertising have paid for the production anddistribution of this issue. Remaining profitshave gone to SD68.Publishing Partner:Family Matters PublicationsEditor:Donna Reimer, dreimer@sd68.bc.caLayout/Design:Family Matters Publicationslotte@FMPublications.caAdvertising:Andrew Sloan, andrew@FMPublications.ca604.889.6397andDiana Durrand, diana@FMPublications.caSpecial thanks to the following who helpedwith this issue of ConnectED: Bernadine Babuik,Kathy Bergman, Dave Harvey, Larry Dean,Val Martineau, Kate Girard, Peter Skipper, DougEnglish, Theresa Watson and Shauna DeBodt.publications604.889.63976603 Balaclava StreetVancouver, BC V6N 1M1info@fmpublications.cawww.FMPublications.caSuperintendent Michael Munro marks Pink Shirt Day with Woodlands Secondary students.Welcome to our second issue of ConnectED – School District 68’smagazine for parents and students in Nanaimo-Ladysmith.At different times during the year, our schools observe speciallydesignated days. One example would be Literacy Day in January, whenmany schools plan a day or even a week of activities focusing on reading andnumber literacy.By observing such special days, schools put the spotlight on importantthemes and capture student interest by planning exciting activities. So, whilewe emphasize the importance of literacy all year long, Literacy Day givesschools the opportunity to highlight literacy in a fun way for students.One particularly important day takes place each year in the third week ofFebruary. Pink Shirt Anti-Bullying Day, on February 23 this year, is a day whenstudents and staff from across the school district sport pink t-shirts to showthat they are taking a stand against bullying.The origin of Pink Shirt Day is a wonderful example of young peopletaking the initiative on a cause that was important to them. Two Nova Scotiastudents organized the first pink shirt day in sympathy with a Grade 9 studentwho was being bullied because he was wearing a pink shirt. The two youngmen took a stand by distributing pink t-shirts to all of the boys in their school.The responsibility for combating bullying lies with all of us – parents,students, teachers, principals, and members of the community. In our schooldistrict, we have made a renewed effort to ensure that we have the necessarypolicies and programs in place to help schools in this important task.I invite the parents and the community members of Nanaimo-Ladysmithto join us in this endeavour by informing yourselves on the topic of bullyingand supporting programs at your local schools.Michael MunroSuperintendent of Schools2 - ConnectED - Spring 2011

Jump Rope and Hoops for Heart:a Long-Standing Tradition in Our SchoolsThe Ladysmith Intermediate Jump Starts skipping team performedat Departure Bay to kick-off the school’s campaign.Students in Mrs. Bradley’s Grade 1/2 class at Rock City Elementaryrotated through various stations, including hula hoops.It’s the time of year in schools all across the Nanaimo-Ladysmith district when students can beseen avidly jumping rope. It’s an activity that is good for their hearts, in more ways than one,because while they are busy perfecting their jump rope moves, they are also raising money forthe Heart and Stroke Foundation.Jump Rope for Heart has long been a tradition in localschools, and its popularity has increased over the 29 yearsthe program has been in place. About 15 years ago, theHeart and Stroke Foundation also introduced the Hoops forHeart program, which features students seeing how many ballsthey can get through the basketball hoop.Last year, schools in the district raised an amazing $93,000through the two programs. This year, 27 District 68 schoolsare participating in Jump Rope for Heart and five are involvedin Hoops for Heart. Most schools sponsor one or two specialjump rope or hoops events in the January-February timeframe.What makes the programs so popular in schools?“Jump Rope for Heart is a great event and a really easy way toteach students the importance of having a healthy lifestyle,” saidBrechin Elementary Principal Diane Goodman. “The supportfrom the Heart and Stroke Foundation representative makesparticipating so easy and rewarding for the school.”Cilaire Elementary Principal Mike Ireland agreed. “It encouragesthe student to be active, and to learn that skipping is a funway to exercise. For the two weeks leading up (and the two weeksafter) the skipathon we have students asking to sign out skippingropes so that they can practice. Every student takes part, whetheror not they raise funds, so it is a fun and healthy day for all.”He said the second benefit the students derive from this isthat they are supporting a worthy cause by raising pledges. “Ithelps them be more socially aware and to understand that theycan help make a difference.”Teacher Wes Lazaroff at Pleasant Valley Elementary said thatat his school the teachers promote skipping in their PE classesduring the lead up to the event day. “Over the years the studentsfrom Grade 1 to Grade 7 have shown a great improvement intheir skipping abilities. It has turned into a traditional event atour school where the students seem to look forward to our JumpDay and take pride in what they have accomplished one jump ata time.”At Ladysmith Primary School (LPS), which has been involvedin the Jump Rope for Heart program for more than 20 years, as“Jump Rope for Heart is a great eventand a really easy way to teach studentsthe importance of having a healthylifestyle,” said Brechin ElementaryPrincipal Diane Goodman.well as receiving the physical benefits of jump rope, the studentsengage in discussions about healthy lifestyles that include propernutrition and rest, said Teacher Joan Tames. “All of us at LPS arevery proud to be supporters of this very worthwhile cause.”Teacher Beatrice Bradley, of Rock City Elementary added, “Itnot only helps us promote health and fitness, but it is also anotherway that we can build a community feeling for the whole school.”Uplands Park Elementary sponsors a Hoops for Heart event6 - ConnectED - Spring 2011

every year. Said Teacher Kristin Verhoeven, “The students are eagerand excited to be part of this event. For an hour after lunch,the whole school is invited to the gym to watch participants fromGrades 4 to 7 shoot basketball hoops. Each participant gets oneminute to see how many baskets they can make. The gym is anoisy, excited place for this hour. Shooting hoops is a fun way toraise awareness about healthy living choices and to promote theeducational work of the Heart and Stroke Foundation.”The story is much the same from school to school – pride inthe amount of money each school has raised over the years andtalk of the tradition the events have become at each school.Heart and Stroke Foundation Schools Program CoordinatorJaime Spyksma said that the programs are especially importantwhen you consider the fact that childhood obesity has tripled overthe past 25 years. “This is the first generation that might not outlivetheir parents. With our Jump and Hoops programs, the studentshave fun by being active and learning about healthy choicesin their lives such as eating good food and not smoking. If we canteach the kids at an early age to make good lifestyle choices andthey continue those habits as they grow up, then we are investingin our future toward generations free of heart disease and stroke.”She gives special credit to the teachers and principals whoorganize the program in each school. “They are enthusiastic andexcited about getting the students involved in activity and hearthealthy decisions,” she said. “We can’t do it without them.” &

Graphic Novels are Real Books!By Val Martineau Teacher-Librarian Fairview Community SchoolDo you read the comics in your morning newspaper?Do you love Calvin and Hobbes and Charlie Brown?Then you will understand why children are hooked ongraphic novels.With the increased popularity and availability of graphic novelsin our libraries, book stores and classrooms, some parents andeducators are wondering: Are graphic novels legitimate books? Myanswer is yes!What exactly is a graphic novel? It’s a format of book that includesboth comic or graphic drawings and written text. Graphic novels areoften compared to comic books but there are some very distinct differences.Comic book characters rarely progress and repeatedly followthe same storylines. InGraphic Novels to Consider:graphic novels characters developthroughout the story andKindergarten to Grade 3• Baby Mouse by Jennifer L. Holmand Matt Holmintricate details are conveyed• The Courageous Princess by Rod through the drawings. GraphicEspinosanovels can be found in both fictionand non-fiction and in a• Owly by Andy RuntonGrades 4 to 5• Alex Rider series by Anthony variety of genres including mystery,adventure, drama and his-Horowitz and Kanako (alsocomes in a traditional noveltorical fiction.format)• Amelia Rules by Jimmy Gownley The popularity of graphic• Bone by Jeff Smithnovels has risen dramaticallyGrades 6 to 7over the past decade with seriesfrom Bleach (secondary• Amulet (series) by Kazu Kibuishi• Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer andAndrew Donkin (also comes in a school) to Bone (intermediate)traditional novel format)to Baby Mouse (primary) flyingoff library shelves. Whether• Bone by Jeff SmithKate Girard TeacherLibrarian at it’s manga (traditional JapaneseJohn Barsby Secondary Schoolgives us the most popular secondaryschool graphic novels:tablished classic (Mark Twain)style read back to front), an es-• The Arrival by Shaun Tan (a fascinatingwordless graphic novelor a popular series (Diary of aWimpy Kid), students can’t waitlooking at life through the eyesof an immigrant as he weaves histo uncover the adventure of theirway through the unfamiliar surroundingsof a new country) the graphics of the newest book.favourite characters or check out• Maximum Ride series by JamesGraphic novels are morePatterson• Neon Genesis Evangelion by than a fad they are a strong readingtool that get kids into books.Mingming• Pride of Baghdad by Brian K.Research, including that doneVaughan• Scott Pilgrim by Brian Leeby educational expert Dr. StephenKrashen, shows that read-O’Malley• Twilight by Stephenie Meyering graphic novels can bridge(also comes in a traditional novelformat)the conversational to academic• Vampire Knight by Matsuri Hino reading gap and that readers• Watchmen by Allan Moore and who read graphic novels are justDave Gibbonsas likely to read other books and8 - ConnectED - Spring 2011These two Fairview Community Elementary students are some of themany students enjoying graphic novels.as many books as their peers who don’t read graphic novels or comics.Graphic novels can improve literacy and critical thinking skills byengaging students in text and graphics. Students must think criticallyabout what they are seeing as well as reading and must infer messagesthrough the graphics. Because the format is structured around oraldialogue students’ oral skills may sharpen as a result.Making ConnectionsMany schools in our district use Adrienne Gear’s Reading Powers as part ofour literacy programs. The power to connect is the stepping stone to all otherpowers and involves the reader connecting something in the book to anotherbook, movie or media source, to self or to something happening in the world.Being able to connect to the characters, plot or setting, allows students theability to put themselves in the book, relate to a dilemma or remember anevent in their lives. Connecting helps us to conceptualize what we are readingand remember the book based on the connections we have made.With increased usage of video and computer games and the fast pace connectivityof cell phones, texting and social media, students are familiar withshort word bubbles, quick action and graphics as tools for communicating.Students can easily connect to these features in graphic novels.The Visual LearnerWith visual learners making up more than 50 percent of our classroom population,graphic novels provide a great opportunity for learning. The graphicsprovide complex details that are integral parts of the story. Students must‘read’ the pictures as well as the text. There are no add-ons; the story is toldas a multi-media concept. Using non-fiction graphic novels is a great way toteach history to our students.The Fun FactorGraphic novels are fun to read and when reading is fun, students are morelikely to continue. We need to encourage students to be reading for fun.Aren’t we all more likely to participate in activities if we enjoy them? If yourchild is reading a graphic novel, take time to stop and ask about it, engage inconversation and learn from the format. &

2011 Multi-Sport CampsNANAIMO • LADYSMITH • PARKSVILLEBringing MemorableMoments of FUN tofamily celebrations& special events!• Birthday Parties • Picnics• Special Events • BBQs• Family Celebrations• Daycares • Festivals250-751-1066www.auntibobbi.comSPRINg BREAK • XploreSportz (Ages: 7-12 yrs)March 14-18 • LadysmithMarch 21-25 • Central NanaimoPRO D DAY • XploreSportz (Ages: 7-12 yrs)May 6 • ParksvilleSuMMER • XploreSportz (Ages: 7-12 yrs)July 11-15 • North NanaimoJuly 18-22 • ParksvilleAugust 8 - 12 • South Nanaimo/LadysmithSuMMER • Active Star (Ages: 4-6 yrs + Parents)July 25-29 • ParksvilleAugust 15-19 • Central Nanaimo250.740.6572 • cedwards@pacificsport.comwww.pacificsport.com/vanisleNanaimo Conservatoryof Music presentsVancouver IslandFIDDLE CAMPMarch 24 - 27, 2011Seven Springs Retreat CentreNanoose, BCREGISTRATION NOW OPEN!Early Bird Tuition $295(if you register by 5pm on February 14)Call 250 754 4611sponsored by:web.me.com/nanaimofiddlersFIDDLETrish Clair-PeckSerena EadesTrent FreemanGeoff HorrocksMiriam SonstenesGordon StobbePIANOGeoff HorrocksGUITAR & VOCALENSEMBLERueben GurrAFTER SCHOOLPROGRAMSThe After Schoolprogram is offered tochildren aged 5 - 12who need licensedchild care until 6:30pm five days a week.The program provideschildren with a safe,innovative, and caringenvironment for allchildren. Participantshave an opportunity tointeract with theirpeers and adults, goon field trips and takepart in numerous clubactivities.CLUB LOCATIONSBGCCVI-Lantzville ClubSchools served: Seaview, McGirr,Rutherford, Pleasant Valley, Hammond BayPhone and Fax: 250-390-4001BGCCVI-Forest Park ClubSchools served: Forest ParkPhone: 250-751-8937BGCCVI-Coal Tyee ClubSchools served: Coal TyeePhone: 250-616-7681BGCCVI-Fifth Street ClubSchools served: Park Avenue, GeorgiaAvenue, Fairview, Bayview, Pauline Haarer,Quarterway, BrechinPhone: 250-754-3220BGCCVI-Chase River ClubSchools served: Chase River, CinnabarValleyPhone: 250-753-2464BGCCVI-Ladysmith ClubSchools served: Ladysmith Primary,Ladysmith Intermediate, Davis Road, NorthOysterPhone: 250-245-8921BGCCVI-Chemainus ClubSchools served: Chemainus ElementaryPhone: 250-246-5421

The Value of HomeworkBy Peter Skipper, Uplands Park Elementary PrincipalHomework at first appears to be a simpletopic but it is not. It can be controversialand even in academic circles its value is debated,particularly at the elementary level.It is not my purpose in this article to describe the debate butto indicate that there is a diversity of attitudes about thevalue of homework. Some of those attitudes are culturallybased, some are socio-economically influenced, and some relateto parenting style.Traditionally, homework was given for simple tasks likememorization and practice to discipline the mind.What does research say about homework? Studying thetopic of homework is difficult because most researchers are notin homes observing homework as it is being carried out. Moststudies are based upon student and family surveys. Like learning,homework is a very individual enterprise.Studies that compared students who did homework to studentswho did not showed that generally students doing homeworkscored better on tests. Other studies compared the timespent on homework to achievement and positive results weregenerally found up to a cut-off point, a point of diminishing returnswhen the mind could no longer benefit from further study.However, in the earlier grade levels, there was no evidenceof improved academic performance based on homework. Forstudents in Grades 6-9 studies show a slight improvement inachievement based upon homework of less than one hour. Forhigh school students in Grades 10-12 research indicates there arebenefits in achievement with up to two and a half hours of homeworkper night. After this achievement declines or remains flat.It is evident that research does indicate that as students maturemore time spent on homework does result in higher gradesbut this is not the case for younger students.There is an informal homeroom rule that roughly coincideswith research about the appropriate amount of homework toprovide for different grade levels. Long endorsed by most teachersand educational associations is the “10 minute rule.” Thisrule states that the maximum of nightly homework should notexceed ten minutes per grade level. So a sixth grader should nothave more than 60 minutes of homework per night and a 1stgrader no more than 10 minutes.Compounding the homework debate is the considerationthat, as in school work, different students have different workingspeeds and time and attention to task. More time spent onhomework could just indicate a slower working speed.Needless to say the learning that is accomplished is more importantthan the time it takes to learn it. A principle of learning is10 - ConnectED - Spring 2011Uplands Park Elementary Principal Peter Skipper with Uplands Parkstudents from Grades 4 to 7that individuals learn at different rates. Some students may need tospend more time in study than others to learn concepts and skills.The quality of homework of course plays a role in understandingand developing skills and knowledge. The long termgoals are to develop self-discipline, improve academic skills andto increase learner confidence.Homework typically supports learningin one of the following ways:• Pre-learning to provide an introduction or provide backgroundto a topic coming up for discussion.• To check for understanding for the student to explain whatis happening and why.• The practice of rote skills such as multiplication tables andspelling words. However, such practice should only takeplace after teachers have checked for understanding as studentscan practice something incorrectly and internalizemisconceptions which are hard to get rid of.• Processing for students to reflect or think about what waslearned, come up with new questions to ask, apply skills andknowledge into new situations and otherwise show theycomprehend or see the ‘big picture’.Another reason is to extend learning time for students unableto complete work during school time (they should understandwhat it is they are to do).Homework should have an academic purpose, help developstudent competence, assist in developing ownership of theirlearning and be generally interesting.If you have any questions about homework practices in yourchild’s class, talk to your child’s teacher. Your child’s teacherknows your child’s learning style, and will be able to outline foryou the rationale for and benefits of the homework that is assignedin the classroom. &Source: Rethinking Homework by Cathy Vatterott (2009)

NO EXPERIENCENECESSARY!JOIN THENANAIMO HORNETSMINI & YOUTH RUGBYPROGRAMFOR GIRLS AND BOYSAGE 6 AND UPSpring DaycampsSpring Break Activity Days (5-12 yrs)Join friends for fun packed days of supervised fun!Xplore Sportz Camp (7-12 yrs)This camp is focused on fundamental skill development& having fun in a variety of sports!Learn to Sail Camp (8-15 yrs)Unleash the sailor in you at the Ladysmith Yacht Club!Byte Camp Stop Motion Animation(9-12 yrs)Explore stop-motion animation techniques& even try out some special effects.Season runs from September - AprilSunday mornings 10 - 11:30 amThursday evenings 5 - 6:30 pmByte Camp Flash Computer Animation (11-14 yrs)Bring your imagination and we’ll supply the rest, includinglaptops and software.Please call 250-245-6424 for more info or to registerFor more information please contact:Darren Wicks - djwicks@shaw.caChristine De Vries - cblsdevries@shaw.caLocated at the May Bennett Fields, 6704 Dover Bay Road, Nanaimo.Behind Canadian Tire in the north part of NanaimoKool Toys &TeachingToolsWe haveMoved!Come visit us atour new locationbetween Diana'sGarden Centre andLiquidation World!Reopening Jan. 4th!Toys that capture the imagination!#102 - 2517 Bowen Road, Nanaimo250.585.1778 www.koolandchild.com

By Craig SpenceDavis Road Numeracy NightThe staff at Ecole Davis Road ElementarySchool in Ladysmith knew they had a winneron their hands with their Math is Fun Nightwhen the only note of criticism – if you can callit that – came from parents and students whodidn’t have enough time to visit all 36 stationsthat had been set up at the school one nightrecently. And, one student even asked his parentsif they could play math games on the nextfamily movie night.That was good news because the main goal of the event wasto engage students in numeracy activities and give parentssome ideas about how they could complement the effortsof the school.“This type of event with these types of activities is very engagingfor students,” said Davis Road Principal Doug English. Engagementand fun are like two sides of the same coin, as far as heis concerned, and it was evident the kids at the Math is Fun Nightdid make the connection.Some Numeracy Games You Can Try At Home:Big, Little and In-BetweenUsing a deck of cards, take out the King and Queen. Ace =1 and Jack = 0.For children in Kindergarten to Grade 2, draw out two cards and ask themwhich is the bigger number.For Grades 2-4, draw out three cards. Ask the child to arrange the threecards to make the biggest number possible and then to make the smallestnumber possible.For Grades 5-7, repeat the activities as above but with four or five cards.The Fifteen Game – for two playersYou need nine cards, printed with the numbers 1 to 9. You can makethese or use ordinary playing cards.To play the game, the cards are placed on the table between the twoplayers. Players take turns choosing a card (any card they like) from thepile. The winner is the first to have a set of three cards that add to 15.Great Math Board GamesBattleship, Set, Monopoly, Quirkle, SkipBo, Snakes and Ladders, YahtzeeNumber Guessing1. Choose a number within the range to be played, e.g. 1- 20, 1-100, 100-1000.2. The number is recorded on paper but not shown to the others.3. The other players then ask questions to help them to guess the number.4. Only yes/no questions can be asked.Encourage children to ask general questions to begin with, e.g. Is it even? Isit higher than 50? Instead of trying to guess the number, e.g. Is it 38?The evening started at 6 p.m., with student greeters handing outlanyards. At each of the stations, students received a card describinga specific activity. At the end of the night, students had lanyardsthey could take home, which had a number of different fun numeracyactivities that the students could do with their parents.Some of the games were ones you could buy in a store, and someof them were made up by the students and teachers themselves.There were also online math activities in the school’s computer lab.The evening showed parents and students that there are manyroutes to number literacy, and that learning happens in the home aswell as at school.“We wanted to involve the community with an event like thisand give them an opportunity to come in and see the kind of thingswe are doing in our classes,” English said. “We wanted to show themthat there are a lot of good numeracy type games out there.”Number literacy is not just a question of getting the book openand doing questions one to ten, he said. “You can learn math andnumeracy skills through different types of games as well. That wasan important idea the school wanted to get out to parents. ““When parents saw these games, they knew they already had afew of them at home, but didn’t realize there was math involved inthem,” English said. “Knowing that you can support your child innumeracy by playing games was an important message to parents.”12 - ConnectED - Spring 2011Davis Road Elementary Principal Doug English with students duringNumeracy Night.

The fun and games night was serious educational business, too.Numeracy is one of the school’s goals and the numeracy componentof the Math is Fun Night was one of the criteria the school listed inits application for a Project Success grant from Nanaimo-LadysmithSchool District.At Davis Road the numeracy goal has been placed in the contextof engagement, which was identified as an area for improvement.“What we did as a staff is we looked at something that we thoughtwas a little bit lacking, and that was student engagement,” Englishsaid. “So our main goal was to engage students in their own learning.We also have goals to improve literacy, numeracy and social responsibility,so we tie in the district goals as well.”When it comes to identifying school goals and adopting strategiesto achieve them, you have to have everybody on board Englishsaid. Staff, especially, has to be involved from the very start.“For something like this to be successful there has to be a verystrong leadership component from staff. We have such great leadershipfrom the staff at this school.”In fact, it was Davis Road teachers who came up with the wholeMath is Fun Night concept in the first place. Several of them wereinvited to a Math Olympics event at Ladysmith Primary School lastyear, and that experience took root and was adapted for the DavisRoad community. &NANAIMO MINORBASEBALLASSOCIATIONCoaches neededfor all divisions10 Divisions for players bornbetween 1993-2006February - Date/TimeSat/Sun 12th & 13th 10:00 am - 4:00 pmSat/Sun 19th & 20th 10:0000 am - 4:00 pmSat/Sun 26th & 27th 10:000 am - 4:00 pmRegistratation LocationReaction Source for Sports4906 Wellington RoadNanaimo, BCV9T 4B8For information visit our website at:www.ballcharts.com/nmbatelephone: 250-754-2221or email:nanaimominorbaseball@hotmail.comNanaimo Minor Baseball AssociationPO Box 327, Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 5L3

Spring Break Activities for Families and StudentsHarewood Family ofCommunity SchoolsThe Harewood Family of CommunitySchools is offering the following programsduring spring break 2011. Preference willbe given to students living in the Harewoodor Southend area.Kids Can CookJoin the Nanaimo Foodshare staff and makenutritious fun foods while learning abouthealthy eating.• March 14 to 17: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.Ages: 7 to 10Location: Fairview Community SchoolCost: $15; Maximum 12 participants• March 14 to 17: 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.Ages: 7 to 10Location: Georgia Avenue Community SchoolCost: $15; Maximum 12 participantsSpring Break FunDuring this four-day camp, there will be avariety of games, sports and craft-making.• March 14 to 17: 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.Ages: 7 to 10Location: Georgia Avenue CommunitySchoolCost: $20; Maximum 24 participantsRed Cross BabysittersParticipants must attend the two sessions inorder to receive a certificate.• March 14 and 15: 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.Ages: 11 to 13Location: Fairview Community SchoolCost: $25; Maximum 12 participantsSewing BasicsThis sewing session teaches children how touse a sewing machine and create projects.• March 14 and 15: 12:30 to 3 p.m.Ages: 9 to 12Location: Fairview Community SchoolCost: $15; Maximum 10 participantsFor program details and other opportunities,visit http://schools.sd68.bc.ca/hfcs/or contact one of the following communityschool coordinators:Linda at Fairview, 250 741-1250Misty at Georgia Avenue, 250 753-4511Shannon at John Barsby, 250 616-7984Jim at NDSS, 250 740-2026Community Schools are funded by the B.C.Ministry of Education, supported by SchoolDistrict 68, and work in partnership with communitygroups.Cedar Community SchoolsCedar Community Schools are offering the following spring break activities. Preference willbe given to students living in the Cedar area.Spring Break Pursuit of Excellence BasketballWorkshopsFundamental skills occupy the mornings withcompetitive scrimmages and games in theafternoon. These workshops are intense andpursuit of excellence is encouraged. Playerswishing to raise their game to another levelwill benefit greatly from these workshops.Call or email if you have any questions 250722-2887; comets@shaw.ca. Pre-registrationis required by March 1.• March 14 to March 18: 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.Grades 6 to 9Girls only; Maximum 24 participantsLocation: Cedar Community Secondary SchoolThe Port TheatreThe Port Theatre offers a number of interesting presentations, including a “Family Series” as part ofthe Spotlight Series. More information is available at www.porttheatre.com under Events & Tickets.Darwin the DinosaurA glow in the dark visual adventure by CorbianVisual Arts and Dance! Darwin is muchmore than a pet: he is a dinosaur – a wildand primitive creature. He encounters manydifferent types of living creatures. A heartrendingtale of a dinosaur discovering thetrue meaning of love, perfect for the wholefamily!• March 17: 7 p.m.Tickets: $16, Groups of 4 or more: $14Family Series: $42 per person14 - ConnectED - Spring 2011Cost: $200 (includes t-shirt, prizes and awards)• March 21 to March 25: 9:30 am to 3:30 pmGrades 6 to 9Boys only; Maximum 24 participantsLocation: North Cedar Intermediate SchoolCost: $200 (includes t-shirt, prizes and awards)Dabble in the ArtsCome enjoy a day of art; build a clay critterand paint a masterpiece. You must pre-registerby March 1; call 250 722-2414 Ext. 249.• March 21: 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.Grades 1 to 7Location: Cedar Community Secondary SchoolCost: $30Nanaimo MuseumThe Spring Break Program is geared to engage and entertain Nanaimo youth during their twoweekspring break. A variety of interesting programs will be offered at the museum.Brick HousesBuild a cottage using brick and mortar.• March 14: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Ages: 8 to 12 (space is limited)First Nation CarvingCarve an eagle head letter opener.• March 16: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Ages: 8 to 12 (space is limited)Bird Houses• Build and paint your own bird house.March 18: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Ages: 8 to 12 (space is limited)Magic LanternsPaint animated slides and construct a slidingslide show.• March 22: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Ages: 8 to 12 (space is limited)First Nation ArtLearn about First Nations art and paint a wallplaque.• March 24: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Ages: 8 to 12 (space is limited)All programs are $25 each or all five for $100. Refreshments are provided; students will needto bring a lunch. Contact Bobbi, the Program Coordinator at the Nanaimo Museum 250 753-1821 or visit http://www.nanaimomuseum.ca/ for more details. Be sure to book early.B.C. Regional Cadet Honour BandBeing selected for the “spring break” HonourBand is a coveted prize amongst the cadet musiciansin 71 B.C. communities. The young musiciansrange in age from 14 to 18 years of age andthe majority play at a level equivalent to Grade5/6 of the Royal Conservatory of Music. Underthe direction of Lieutenant Navy Camil Bouchard,the band is comprised of 55 of the top teenagemusicians of the Royal Canadian Sea, Armyand Air Cadets selected from across B.C.• March 22: 7:30 p.m. Free Admission

City of NanaimoSpring Break CampsLooking for something to keep your childrenoccupied this spring break? Why notcheck out the City of Nanaimo’s Parks, Recreationand Culture Spring Break Camp programs.There are a variety of camp themesavailable, including Tree Frog Camps for preschoolers,Sports Camps including karate,soccer, golf, rock climbing, and goalie skills.Others might like to learn some new skills inour creative classes such as art, pottery, anddance camps. There is a camp for all ages,from 3 through to 14 years old. Most campsoffer a daily drop in rate. Camps are beingoffered at locations throughout town.Most students will have received a copyof the department’s spring break flyer, but ifyou missed it you can view on line at www.nanaimo.ca within the Parks, Recreationand Culture Section. You can call 250 756-5200 for information and registration. If youare not looking for a registered camp butlooking to get out and be active, be sure tocheck out the pool and skating schedules.Be sure to bring your 2 for 1 spring breakflyer coupon.Town of LadysmithSpring DaycampsLadysmith Parks, Recreation and Cultureoffer spring daycamps during Spring Break2011. There are camps available for children5 to 14 years old. The daycamps includeSpring Break Activity Days, Xplore SportzCamp, Learn to Sail Camp, Byte Camp StopMotion Animation, and Byte Camp FlashComputer Animation. For more informationor to register call 250 245-6424.Boys and Girls Clubs of CentralVancouver IslandThe Boys and Girls Club will be runningday camps during spring break at all facilitiesin the Central Vancouver Island area.• March 14 to 25Ages: 5 to 12 (5 year olds must be in Kindergarten)Cost: Included in regular monthly fees or$35 per day if not currently attendingLocation: Lantzville, Forest Park, Coal Tyee,Fifth Street, Chase River, Ladysmith, and theChemainus Boys and Girls ClubsFor contact information and to see a list ofthe club addresses, visit www.bgccvi.comand click on the Contact Us page.Vancouver Aquarium –B.C. Hydro Aqua VanAquaVan Comes to NanaimoAs part of the Province of British Columbia’sYear of Science, the Vancouver Aquarium’saward winning B.C. Hydro AquaVanwill be arriving in Nanaimo with live animalsfrom marine habitats of B.C.’s coast.• March 20: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.Open to everyone; Free of chargeLocation: Georgia Avenue Community SchoolSt. John AmbulanceBabysitter’s CourseSt. John Ambulance offers a babysitter’scourse during spring break.• March 14 to 18: 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.Minimum age is 11Location: 2250 Labieux RoadCost: $42For more information or to register call250 729-8889. Information is also availablefor other programs and courses atwww.sja.ca/bc.

Call 250.754.8550 or buy online at porttheatre.comTickets $16 each. Purchase multiples andreceive a greater discount!DARWIN THEDINOSAUR:A GLOW INTHE DARKADVENTUREMarch 17th at 7:00 p.m.Performed by CorbianVisual Arts and DanceA heart-rendingtale of a dinosaurdiscovering the truemeaning of love.OLD THOMAS& THE LITTLEFAIRYApril 3rd at 2:30 p.m.Performed by Bouge de laPart of TheatreOne’s JustKidding SeriesInspired by thepopular children’sbook written byDominique DemersAT NIGHTFALLMay 8th at 2:30 p.m.Performed by Compagniede danse SursautThe tale of ashoemaker whostumbles upon theelusive beauty ofwood waters, andthe antics of itstiny denizens.WONDERLANDMarch 29th & 30th at 7:30 p.m.Performed by The Royal Winnipeg BalletThis brand new full-length ballet will warpthe lens through which we traditionallyview ballet.Tickets $52 / Members $48 / Students $25