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.
Jonathon Naylor Editor A bad day for a teenager in Flin Flon can spring from something as meaningless as a zit or a low grade on a test. A bad day for a teenager in Nicaragua is more likely to stem from a lack of food, shelter or other basic necessities. The inequality is not lost on a group of Hapnot Collegiate students who will be helping to bring a sliver of new hope to one of the world's poorest nations. Five compassionate students from the high school, along with chaperones, will head to Nicaragua this summer for an eight-day humanitarian mission. 'I'm really excited for this group of students to go give it a try,' said Hapnot teacher Chelsea Russell, who will serve as one of the chaperones. Russell spoke of the trip at last week's Flin Flon School Board meeting, where she was joined by three of the participating students in Nicole Storey, Shannah Fisher and Caitlin Bradt. 'We're going for eight days to go help build houses and schools and just really get involved, and learning how to give a hand up instead of a handout,' Russell said. The trip, which will begin in July shortly after school ends, is part of Hapnot's extensive involvement with Free the Children, an international charity. Word of the pending journey impressed the trustees. 'You'll get your eyes opened, I'm sure. I can't imagine,' Trustee Angela Simpson told them. Trustee Tim Davis said he hoped the students could attend a board meeting after the trip to share their experiences. But for now the focus is on fundraising to help each student offset the cost of the trip to the Central American country. Russell said the students have already been working at Bomber games and are open to other fundraising activities. '...they're really trying to be community-oriented in their fundraising,' she said. See 'Choc...' on pg. 3 Con't from pg. 1 Also at the board meeting, Storey, Fisher and Bradt _ all members of Hapnot Student Council _ took the opportunity to update the trustees on activities at their school. Among them was a penny drive that raised over $680 for Free the Children. Other fundraisers for that charity, including one where students will remain completely silent for 24 hours, are planned. Hapnot also sold chocolate mustaches to generate dollars in the fight against prostate cancer, and hosted a well-received Xmas Excitement talent show shortly before Christmas. But the school faces some challenges. The students implored trustees to help devise a solution to the problem of students smoking on property near Hapnot. Tobacco is off limits on schoolgrounds. It's a familiar complaint for trustees, but fortunately the number of high school students lighting up has declined drastically over the last two decades. Trustee Davis was pleased to hear one estimate that only 20 to 30 Hapnot students now smoke, but added that 'it's too bad they all won't quit.' When he asked if any students from nearby Many Faces Education Centre have joined Hapnot Student Council, as is permitted, the students said no. But one of them suggested posters and announcements could be used to promote that option to Many Faces students. Other highlights from last week's school board meeting: Superintendent Blaine Veitch announced the recent launch of a pilot program to promote physical activity at Ecole McIsaac School. Through the Walking School Bus program, vice-principals Sylvie Dufour and Steve Lytwyn walk to and from school with groups of students at noon hour and after school. 'The benefits of this program are that it encourages physical activity, teaches children how to safely walk to and from school, reduces traffic congestion / pollution, and reduces incidents of bullying,' Veitch wrote in a report. The pilot program comes a few months after McIsaac introduced a sunrise gym and breakfast program for grades 1-3 (Mondays) and grades 4-6 (Fridays). Veitch detailed the addition of a sunrise computer lab program at Ruth Betts Community School, allowing students to access computers before class each morning. They are able to finish homework, visit approved websites or choose to read a book. Trustee Murray Skeavington, board chair, reminded the public of the upcoming Dinner Theatre production at Hapnot. The musical 'Peter Panic' will be performed Feb. 13 and 14. 'Hopefully it's a sellout,' Trustee Skeavington said. Veitch announced that McIsaac is in the midst of its annual food drive and fundraiser for the Lord's Bounty Food Bank. Veitch noted that high school exams start the afternoon of Jan. 29 and run until the end of the school day on Jan. 31. Veitch commended Leslie Dubinak for loaning the McIsaac library a collection of First Nations-themed books available to teachers and students to sign out. Veitch announced that grades 4, 5 and 6 students at Ruth Betts have an opportunity to be chosen to attend a mini science camp at Hapnot. Every second Wednesday, starting on Jan. 23, 10 students will be bussed to Hapnot to work on science experiments in the lab. With this being the first board meeting of 2013, Trustee Skeavington welcomed students back to school following the Christmas break.
