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.
Deteriorating sidewalks and a leaky ceiling were among the facility concerns the Flin Flon School Board reviewed at their regular meeting Wednesday. The meeting agenda included the minutes of the latest Workplace Safety and Health meeting at which several facility concerns from the schools were discussed. Among the concerns are deteriorating sidewalks at Hapnot Collegiate and Many Faces Education Centre, a portion of the Hapnot ceiling that leaks, and emergency lighting in a section of Hapnot that did not work during the latest power outage. Also mentioned were particles falling from the ceiling in the Many Faces computer lab, and the difficulty students and staff have in folding up the bleachers in the Hapnot gymnasium. The concerns have been referred to the Maintenance Department for further review. The Workplace Safety and Health Committee, which includes representation from the board and each school, will meet next on December 3. In another matter at the meeting, Trustee Angela Simpson, a board member since 1982, announced that she is interested in running for the position of northern representative for Manitoba Association of School Trustees (MAST). The previous northern rep, Lonnie Karpick of The Pas, has resigned and her position remains open. No other members of the Flin Flon School Board indicated their interest in running. Also putting her name forth for the position is Linda Buchanan, chair of the Kelsey School Division in The Pas. The nominations for the position close today at noon, with the winner to be named on November 28. As well, Superintendent Blaine Veitch was the bearer of some bad news when he noted that the Hapnot Travel Club will not be active this school year. "There aren't enough students signed up, so the trip is off," he said, adding that the club had hoped to travel to Costa Rica. This coming spring, the club plans to start making arrangements for its next trip, the destination of which has not been decided. See 'Trip' P.# Con't from P.# "Hopefully they can get enough students to warrant a trip," commented Veitch. As well, Secretary-Treasurer Debbie Bongfeldt stated that she has written to the City of Flin Flon asking that some division property adjacent to Hapnot Collegiate be zoned as "educational." Over the years, the division has acquired property formerly owned by Modern Dairies as well as residential lots at 127 and 129 Green Street. These properties are not currently zoned for educational purposes. In addition, Trustee Colleen McKee gave a verbal report of a recent conference she attended in Vancouver that focused on student discipline. She spoke highly of the discipline system she learned about in which students receive positive reinforcement for good behaviour. Trustee McKee said she hoped a program like this could be put in place at the high school level in Flin Flon, and mentioned wanting to bring the conference speaker to town to speak to local educators. Here is a recap of other matters from the meeting: Superintendent Veitch presented the 2002-03 Hapnot Honour Roll and offered his congratulations to those students. He mentioned that about 20 per cent of the high school's student body made the list with an average of 80 per cent or higher. Superintendent Veitch noted that the Canadian Children's Book Centre and TD Bank Financial Group have provided copies of the book The Girl Who Hated Books to every grade 1 student in Manitoba. He encouraged families to enjoy the book together. Superintendent Veitch noted that grade 4 students across the division will receive immunization shots during November. Superintendent Veitch mentioned that Ruth Betts School will put a recent $4,000 donation from Wal-Mart to good use by purchasing additional resources for reading, library upgrades and audio-visual equipment. Superintendent Veitch congratulated Parkdale School on establishing two new clubs: the Homework Club and the Chess Club. The Homework Club is for students who want additional help for school work. The Chess Club is open to students in grades 4-8 during noon hour. Superintendent Veitch mentioned that selected students from Hapnot and Many Faces have attended Natural Helpers training sessions this week. The Natural Helpers programs teaches students how to help their peers with problems.
