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.
There was much more than reading, 'riting, and 'rithmetic taking place at the schools this past school year. Here is a look back at the top ten educational stories from the 2003-04 year. 10. Welcome Back Hockey enforcer Reid Simpson returned to Flin Flon to share his insights with the graduating class of Hapnot Collegiate. "If you work hard and persevere, you'll be where you want to be," he told the young men and women of his alma mater. Simpson added that the chance to share the ice with players like Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux is indescribable. 9. 'So Surprised' A Many Faces Education Centre student was honoured by the province for her extensive community involvement. Brittany Lyons, who graduated last month, received the Manitoba Association of School Trustees (MAST) Student Citizenship Award for the northern region. "I was so surprised," she said. "I was extremely overwhelmed. I didn't expect this at all." Brittany was one of just six students across the province to be bestowed the award. 8. More Money The Flin Flon School Board had reason to smile in October with the release of a report showing the school division generated $148,000 more in 2002-03 than had been projected. Trustee Angela Simpson presented a report stating that the surplus from the 2002-03 budget was $321,000, far higher than the $173,000 that had been anticipated. About half of this favourable variance was attributable to money received from Keewatin Community College for participation in dual-credit programming with Many Faces, according to the report. 7. A Fond Farewell A few familiar faces opted for retirement. Gone from the hallways are teacher Diane Overby and secretary Ann Hardy of Ruth Betts School; secretary Pat Ahmad of McIsaac School Ecole McIsaac; custodian Cam Wilson of Parkdale School; and library technician Chris Alexander and custodian Blue Teneycke of Creighton Community School. 6. Empathy's Roots A pilot program designed to nurture empathy in children entered its second year at McIsaac. Roots of Empathy sees a mother and her baby visit selected classrooms once a month, allowing the students to get to know the infant. "I think it's shown to be successful in improving children's understanding of their own feelings and the feelings of others," said Superintendent of Schools Blaine Veitch. 5. School Spirit Staff at Hapnot dug into the school's past in an effort to create a greater sense of community. The house league system, used in the 1960s and '70s, involves students helping a team of their schoolmates garner points by participating in fun school events. "I think it has a very strong potential," said principal John Clark. "Definitely, I think it will have a positive affect on the school." 4. Grads Down The number of high school graduates dropped 20 per cent over 2003, partly the result of a declining student population. A combined total of 130 students from Hapnot and Many Faces donned a cap and gown at the end of June, down from 165 last year. This year's graduating class consisted of 89 Hapnot students and 41 Many Faces students. See 'Top' P.# Con't from P.# 3. Push For Change The Flin Flon School Board continued to push for change to the province's trustee voting system. The board forwarded a motion to MAST, which lobbies the province on behalf of school boards, to have the system altered. The board also discussed the issue with Minister of Education Peter Bjornson. The system mandated that communities be split into at least two voting wards for the 2002 board elections. In one of the Flin Flon wards, the minimum number of trustee candidates ran, meaning voters in that ward were not permitted to vote. 2. Any Ideas? The Flin Flon School Division sought input from the public on how to deal with a shrinking enrollment. About 35 people attended a long-range planning meeting at Hapnot, with a variety of ideas brought forth, including lobbying the province for more money, boosting enrollment by offering more in-demand courses, closing a school, reducing staff, and cutting back on extracurricular activities. The ideas will be researched and given consideration by the school board. 1. Big Decision The Creighton School Board voted 4-2 to establish its own high school program, ending the decades' old practice of Creighton and Denare Beach students completing their secondary education across the border in Flin Flon. A petition soon surfaced calling for the board to rescind its vote and review the matter further, but the trustees stood by their decision as the right one.
