The following is a list of Good News that has happened in our schools throughout the month of May, 2013. We also have an archive of good news stories from the previous school years. If an article has a photo, you can view a larger image simply by clicking on it. Some stories may have more information and/or files attached. Such stories will show a See Attachment link which will open the additional content in a new browser window.
 

This Month's Good News Stories

Students learn the five S's of sun safety May 3, 2013 On March 5, 2013, K-Grade 6 students from Acreman Elementary learned about Sun Sense and skin care safety. Presenter Darrell Yetman, of the Canadian Cancer Society educated the students on how to protect themselves from the sun while enjoying an active and healthy lifestyle. Students learned the importance of wearing sunscreen and the 5 S's of sun safety: SLIP; SLAP; SLOP; SLIDE; and, SEEK. These words mean the following: slip on a shirt, slap on a hat, slop on some sunscreen, slide on some sunglasses, and seek shade. Upon completion of the presentation each student received a certificate stating that they were "sun-certified." Activities for the day included fun worksheets, songs, discussions and a question and answer period. We are sure that these students will become ambassadors of sun safety for themselves and members of their families.

Quilt designed to warm all for diversity and acceptance May 3, 2013 MacDonald Drive Junior High School is pleased to share a work in progress...a diversity quilt. The quilt is a follow-up to our very successful Diversity Fair held in January. The fair was used as a forum to promote diversity and differences in our school community and our aim is to appreciate and accept diversity in our school community. The quilt symbolically spells diversity and the many different symbols represent the beliefs and ideals of the diversity within our school and community. Diversity can mean a number of things such as culture or religion. Students and staff are invited to get a three by three inch square of cloth and write something about themselves that they see as diverse. Then their cloth will be sewn onto the quilt which is on display in our lobby. We are hoping the visibility of the quilt will keep the word out there that although we have many differences, we all deserve respect and acceptance.

St. Joseph's Academy Receives National Award May 3, 2013 St. Joseph's Academy is proud to announce that they are one of thirty projects selected to receive a Helping Hands Award through Let Them Be Kids to construct a new park. This award, which provides a 50/50 match of funds raised, will be used to construct a playground, outdoor fitness area, walking trail and sensory garden area that will be available to community members of all ages. The theme of our park is in relation to the Grand Banks Earthquake which occurred at 5:02 p.m. on November 18, 1929. The event had a surface wave magnitude of Ms = 7.22 and it was felt as far as New York City, Montreal, and Bermuda. This event viciously impacted Lamaline and surrounding communities causing severe damage, destruction and unfortunately death. We have decided to name our park Waves of Change to honour all of those who, despite such a tragedy, had the strength and determination to literally pick up the pieces of their washed away lives, rebuild and carry on. It is a six month project, with a build date of Saturday, July 20th and it is hoped that hundreds of local residents will volunteer to be a part of a one-day event that will see the local communities' dreams come together and the park built.

St. Matthew's Tigers win gold at Grade 7 volleyball tournament May 3, 2013 St. Matthew's Tigers dominated the Under 13 Female Provincial Championships on March 22nd & 23rd, 2013 at Mount Pearl Intermediate. The team was undefeated all weekend and captured the title against the CBS Ravens with Madison Cumby named as the most spirited player of the tournament. Just the week before, the girls participated in the ESDNL Grade 7 Championship at Holy Trinity Elementary on March 15th & 16th where they were also undefeated and captured the gold medal. The Tigers also won silver at the Volleyfest in October and went on to capture the gold medal at the Mount Pearl Invitational on November 24th, 2012. The girls have had a wonderful year and cannot wait for next year to start all over again in Grade 8 at Beaconsfield Junior High. Congratulations to the girls who are coached by Betty Sheppard and Samantha Noseworthy.