The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Grade 6 band students from Creighton Community School are joining forces with those at Ruth Betts Community School. 'We're just trying a bit of a pilot,' said Flin Flon School Division Superintendent Blaine Veitch. The program began with the start of the 2013-14 school year. The Divisions are 'cooperating in a joint venture to allow all Grade 6 students...to participate in a band program,' read a press release prepared in June. The students participate in two 40 minute periods in a six day cycle, according to the release. Creighton School Division is paying the Flin Flon School Division to cover the cost of 28 instruments and their parts, and a band teacher. 'Parents in Creighton have lobbied the Division to provide a band program for a number of years,' read the release, 'but unfortunately we have never had the staff expertise to provide the program.' The program began in September and Veitch says it's great. 'I think it's good on many fronts,' he said. 'It's good for students to learn music and it's good for kids to hopefully get to meet each other.' Veitch also said it's important to see the 'two divisions working...together.' 'This is a tremendous opportunity for these Grade 6 students,' read the release, 'and if the program is successful there may be a possibility to expand the program into other grades in the future.' Band students from Creighton bus their way to Ruth Betts. 'The instruments are already here and it's just easier to move the students,' said Veitch.
