NLTA Family Fun Day

Ah,  summer!  Looking out my window it’s hard to believe that it is so close. Just around the corner as they say…. The sun is glistening on the snow and we are finalizing our plans for our branch’s Family Fun Day at the ski chalet next Sunday. Embracing the season whether it is the lovely, long summer evenings or a large Labrador day on the ski trails, we can find opportunities to re-energize, to socialize and to relax with family and friends.  This event has become an annual one since we hosted the CAPTO conference some years ago.  Every year it grows a little more …. We have sliding and snowshoeing, skiing and playing in the snow.  Indoors there’s a potluck supper with an incredible assortment of food.  We ask people to bring their outdoor gear and a dish to share and guess what?  We are never left wanting.  We also encourage anyone with musical talents to bring along their instruments - a sing-a-long or a toe tapping accordion tune never goes astray!

This year our venue has changed to the brand new chalet at Birch Brook.  We’d like to thank the NLTA for providing us with a little additional funding so we can provide our members with that little extra – in this case, access to the beautifully groomed trails.  Indoors there will be crafts for the kiddies and for the first time crafts for the adults! Yes, we are preparing a scrap-book to commemorate the
120th anniversary of the NLTA and members are encouraged to stop by the scrapbook corner to help design a page.  So, anyone who likes scrap-booking,  here’s a chance to showcase your skills. 

This is a Family Fun Day but feel free to come with or without kiddos.  Singles can still take part in the festivities.  Substitute and retired teachers are always welcome.  Let’s hope next Sunday is as beautiful as today! 

Surprise! Surprise!

This week I conspired with the kids in school. What is a teacher doing conspiring with kids?  Well it goes a little like this.  A very sweet Grade 6 student knocked politely on my door one day and asked if we could have French class in her home-room this Friday instead of in my regular classroom.  Curious, I had to ask why.  “Well, she said, “it’s Miss’ birthday and the class is planning a surprise party for her.  And you know, we wondered if we could have five minutes of your class just to decorate and set up the food and the cake.”  I readily agreed. “Oh, and could you ask Miss if you can use our classroom.  That way, she won’t suspect that we have a surprise planned.”

Well, we made up an excuse and got the room.  Those kids were so organized… They had all their supplies hidden in another teacher’s class – stashed on a trolley for quick transport and the whole works of them blew up balloons, re-arranged furniture and posted Happy Birthday banners in record time.  They selected the most rocking birthday song for the smartboard and were well concealed when their teacher arrived!  “Surprise!”  Yes Miss was certainly surprised and so was I.  What a wonderful way to express how much they cared about their teacher. What a beautiful, simple gesture… made even more so since it was initiated by the children, planned by the children and very much appreciated by their teachers.  We should never forget to take time out to celebrate how much we care for one another.

Beautiful

A lovely reminder  of things to come as we head for summer...