It's Christmas until January 6th! I'm traditional that way... love to see everyone all throughout the season! The high point has to be Christmas dinner, graciously prepared by my sister, Krista and her extended family. The best gift of all - spending time with people we love! The excitement was doubled this year when two tiny ones showed up - Rebecca and Hayley. They say Christmas is for kids and surely it is; but I have to say, adults have a pretty good time too. We started a few new traditions and let go of some old ones. Pudding will henceforth be cooked on Tipp's Eve instead of Christmas Eve so we can be free to visit relatives and friends on the 24th.
When I get back to school, my students will share their excitement as well. My rule - tell me about something special that you did over the holidays... tobogganing, visiting Nana's house, making cookies with Auntie, going to church or to the cabin. I like to put the emphasis on how we spent our time not how we spent our money. It may be intangile, but time is the most precious thing we have, the best gift we can give and the greatest treasure to receive.
I'm pondering the New Year and thinking that 2013 will be an eventful one with lots of possibilities on the horizon. Don't know if I will make any resolutions, but I know there will be opportunities for change and growth. I will just try my best to be my best. Yeah, that should work!
Happy New Year to All! Be kind to each other!
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Sunday, December 9, 2012
NLTA Run-Off on December 18th
The first stage of the election for NLTA Vice-President has concluded with Jeanne Williams and Dean Ingram - the top two vote getters - to square off on December 18th. Remember to vote even though it is soooo close to Christmas! It will be interesting to see the outcome.
Thanks to everyone who voted for me last Tuesday. I really appreciate your support! Special thanks go to my school who nominated me and my branch who gave me so much support. I will continue to look at the issues and bring them forward at Joint Council and BGM. I will also advocate for teachers whenever I can and work for change within the system.
Two weeks til the holidays begin. Time to change gears and get into the Christmas spirit. I love Christmas! I got my tree up my lights on and one very beautiful school concert to see next week. Can't wait to watch those children shine!
Thanks to everyone who voted for me last Tuesday. I really appreciate your support! Special thanks go to my school who nominated me and my branch who gave me so much support. I will continue to look at the issues and bring them forward at Joint Council and BGM. I will also advocate for teachers whenever I can and work for change within the system.
Two weeks til the holidays begin. Time to change gears and get into the Christmas spirit. I love Christmas! I got my tree up my lights on and one very beautiful school concert to see next week. Can't wait to watch those children shine!
Friday, November 23, 2012
What a week!
What a week! Busy, busy, busy! But in a good way... On Tuesday we had Parent-Teacher Interviews with all the preparation and anticipation involved in that. Tuesday evening I was honored to receive the Bancroft Award for service to our local Branch of the NLTA. Thanks to the Lake Melville Branch for nominating me and to President Lily B. Cole for coming in to Happy Valley-Goose Bay to present the award at the Lawrence O'Brien Center for the Arts. I really like that we partnered with the Labrador Creative Arts Festival Committee to do this. Thanks, to all. It was a beautiful venue and a lovely reception!
On Wednesday evening Queen of Peace students did a great job of presenting "Beauty Can Be A Beast" on stage at the O'Brien Center. Kudos to Sami-Jo, Pamela and Eugene who volunteered their time to work with the huge group of students involved in the play. I counted 39 students on stage when the animateur, Adam Brake, commented on their performance. Excellent job! Students from Rigolet also performed that night. Their teacher/coach Sarah was very proud of her troupe as well. Their play was hilarious and kept the audience in stitches the whole time. Just goes to show that teachers everywhere give generously of their time to help our children shine.
(There are twelve student performances which continue until Tuesday.)
On Thursday and Friday, I was lucky enough to have some talented artists visit a few of my classes and to see a performance by Ian Foster for the whole school in the afternoon. Mikaela Dyke, an actor from St. John's spoke to the children about creating a script. The kids were extra enthusiastic with so many ideas! On Thursday, some Grade 5 students workshopped with artist, Tracy Leal, and learned how to make books from random materials they can find around their house. With limited time, they didn't quite finish the project in school; but happily, returned today to show me their finished books or their progress so far. They were obviously inspired. That is the magic ingredient in this festival - inspiration! Our children learn so much from the visiting artists and discover that they can do wondrous things too.
I can't wait for next week.... hair and make-up with Ashley Gesner, an artist who worked on the set of the "Twilight" and a round of jigs and reels with Newfoundland accordion player, Aaron Collis who plays with the Dardanelles. Should be good!
On Wednesday evening Queen of Peace students did a great job of presenting "Beauty Can Be A Beast" on stage at the O'Brien Center. Kudos to Sami-Jo, Pamela and Eugene who volunteered their time to work with the huge group of students involved in the play. I counted 39 students on stage when the animateur, Adam Brake, commented on their performance. Excellent job! Students from Rigolet also performed that night. Their teacher/coach Sarah was very proud of her troupe as well. Their play was hilarious and kept the audience in stitches the whole time. Just goes to show that teachers everywhere give generously of their time to help our children shine.
(There are twelve student performances which continue until Tuesday.)
On Thursday and Friday, I was lucky enough to have some talented artists visit a few of my classes and to see a performance by Ian Foster for the whole school in the afternoon. Mikaela Dyke, an actor from St. John's spoke to the children about creating a script. The kids were extra enthusiastic with so many ideas! On Thursday, some Grade 5 students workshopped with artist, Tracy Leal, and learned how to make books from random materials they can find around their house. With limited time, they didn't quite finish the project in school; but happily, returned today to show me their finished books or their progress so far. They were obviously inspired. That is the magic ingredient in this festival - inspiration! Our children learn so much from the visiting artists and discover that they can do wondrous things too.
I can't wait for next week.... hair and make-up with Ashley Gesner, an artist who worked on the set of the "Twilight" and a round of jigs and reels with Newfoundland accordion player, Aaron Collis who plays with the Dardanelles. Should be good!
Monday, November 19, 2012
Creative Arts Festival
The 37th Labrador Creative Arts Festival begins this week. This festival showcases talent by students from all over Labrador with performances for a full week at the Lawrence O'Brien Center for the Arts. This is a fantastic opportunity for children to write and perform original work. Our youth are awesome!
The festival also invites artists from all all over and from all disciplines to come to the schools and workshop with students on a myriad of creative pursuits - anything from dancing, acting, book-making to accordion playing, song writing, painting, sketching, story-telling.... just to name a few. I look forward to this every year. It is one of the most educational and fulfulling activities available to our students!
The Labrador School Board deserves a lot of credit for its sponsorship of this wonderful event. It also succeeds because the whole community comes together to contribute. We have student abassadors, people who offer their homes to billet students and artists alike, volunteers who provide shuttle service to various venues, and of course teachers who have volunteered hours and hours of their time to prepare students for their performances.
Congratulations to Fiona Andersen and her committee and to all those involved! Have a wonderful week!
The festival also invites artists from all all over and from all disciplines to come to the schools and workshop with students on a myriad of creative pursuits - anything from dancing, acting, book-making to accordion playing, song writing, painting, sketching, story-telling.... just to name a few. I look forward to this every year. It is one of the most educational and fulfulling activities available to our students!
The Labrador School Board deserves a lot of credit for its sponsorship of this wonderful event. It also succeeds because the whole community comes together to contribute. We have student abassadors, people who offer their homes to billet students and artists alike, volunteers who provide shuttle service to various venues, and of course teachers who have volunteered hours and hours of their time to prepare students for their performances.
Congratulations to Fiona Andersen and her committee and to all those involved! Have a wonderful week!
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Are We There Yet?
© Sandra Quigley
Give all your teachers freedom to teach
And no worthwhile goal will fall beyond reach
Teachers have what children need
To grow and to flourish, to learn and to lead
Professionals all, in practice and name
But we don’t operate exactly the same
There must be room for us to express
The tone and the tenor, the vault and the press
Force put, our teachers can do the lock-step
But it’s about respect… Are we there yet?
Common assessment is common indeed
Small room for differing talents or needs
Calendar outlines can serve as a guide
But usually serve to shorten our stride
As for resources, its people we need
To guide and to teach, to nurture and lead
To plan and prepare, we must have the time
To serve all our students, make each of them shine
We’ve asked and been answered, but the formula’s set
It’s about respect… Are we there yet?
So let’s just re-think what the data has done
It casts a long shadow when it blocks out the sun
Renew our resources with our hands and our hearts
Re-think what’s been done and make a new start
We give all we can, but we don’t always get
The respect that we ask for…. Are we there yet?
Sunday, October 28, 2012
What? VP is a Volunteer Position?
For the last couple of months I have been campaigning for the NLTA Vice-Presidency. It's been an eye-opener in more ways than one. I have a little bit of a disadvantage in terms of geography just by living in Labrador. It's a full day's drive to Labrador City or to the ferry in Blanc Sablon. An airfare to the island will spoil a thousand dollars - not to mention days off. It would be great to hop in my car and travel around to see what is on teacher's minds, but for me, at this time, the costs are prohibitive. If I lived on the Avalon, I could dart off to a lot of places in a relatively short period of time. From here, that proves unlikely. I am optimistic, though, since so many of you have chosen to visit me here and drop in to read my blogs. This is my vehicle to reach you. I've had a lot of visits to my page so far -which I must say is very encouraging! (Thanks for stopping by.) In addition to my info in the Election edition of the Bulletin, I will be mailing some materials very soon.
In chatting about the campaign with teachers around HV-GB I've been asked a number of times whether I would have to move to St. John's should I be successful. Most are surprised when I reply that the VP position is a voluntary one and carries no remuneration. If elected, I would continue to live and teach in HV-GB, but would spend a lot more time working on behalf of teachers. I would also spend a little more time in St. John's when the Provincial Executive Council meets or should functions require the presence of the Vice-President.
It would be a great honour to serve the teachers of Newfoundland and Labrador, especially since I live here in the Big Land - only thirty kilometers from Muskrat Falls.
In chatting about the campaign with teachers around HV-GB I've been asked a number of times whether I would have to move to St. John's should I be successful. Most are surprised when I reply that the VP position is a voluntary one and carries no remuneration. If elected, I would continue to live and teach in HV-GB, but would spend a lot more time working on behalf of teachers. I would also spend a little more time in St. John's when the Provincial Executive Council meets or should functions require the presence of the Vice-President.
It would be a great honour to serve the teachers of Newfoundland and Labrador, especially since I live here in the Big Land - only thirty kilometers from Muskrat Falls.
Monday, October 22, 2012
The Right to Choose
Like anyone, teachers have the right to make choices about volunteering their time. Sitting on committees or doing extra-curricular activities is something each individual must decide for themselves. Article 29.02 says "...a teacher's participation in any extra-curricular activity requires that teacher's consent."
A thinking person would say, "You can't require someone to volunteer." Unfortunately, sometimes teachers are pressured to participate. In some places they are simply assigned to committees, in others they are "expected" to sign up. As a candidate for Vice-President of our professional association, I find it difficult to stand by when this is the case. This year, I decided to re-think. I have chosen not to sit on a school committee -not because I don't value the work of committees - but because I value our right to choose more.
Don't get me wrong. I do value the work that volunteers do on committees. My whole career, I have been involved in the school community's "extras" in one way or another. I ran Student Councils for sixteen years, helping children particpate in their own democratic forum. I have chaperoned dances and drop-ins, organized fundraising and other activities for many, many years. I've sat on a number of committees: the House Committee, the Social Committee, the Safe and Caring Schools Committee. A few years back, I published newsletters for the school and for my creative writing group So, I do know a little bit about this. Like most teachers, I have done the extra for the satisfaction that it brings. However, that is my choice and I support the right of any teacher to decide for himself or herself whether s/he wants to volunteer.
Our collective agreement states "A teacher's participation on a school-based or board-based committee requires that teacher's consent." Our collective agreement - our legal and bindidng contract - provides us the right to choose. Let's keep it that way!
http://www.nlta.nl.ca/files/documents/agreements/prov_agmt.pdf
A thinking person would say, "You can't require someone to volunteer." Unfortunately, sometimes teachers are pressured to participate. In some places they are simply assigned to committees, in others they are "expected" to sign up. As a candidate for Vice-President of our professional association, I find it difficult to stand by when this is the case. This year, I decided to re-think. I have chosen not to sit on a school committee -not because I don't value the work of committees - but because I value our right to choose more.
Don't get me wrong. I do value the work that volunteers do on committees. My whole career, I have been involved in the school community's "extras" in one way or another. I ran Student Councils for sixteen years, helping children particpate in their own democratic forum. I have chaperoned dances and drop-ins, organized fundraising and other activities for many, many years. I've sat on a number of committees: the House Committee, the Social Committee, the Safe and Caring Schools Committee. A few years back, I published newsletters for the school and for my creative writing group So, I do know a little bit about this. Like most teachers, I have done the extra for the satisfaction that it brings. However, that is my choice and I support the right of any teacher to decide for himself or herself whether s/he wants to volunteer.
Our collective agreement states "A teacher's participation on a school-based or board-based committee requires that teacher's consent." Our collective agreement - our legal and bindidng contract - provides us the right to choose. Let's keep it that way!
http://www.nlta.nl.ca/files/documents/agreements/prov_agmt.pdf
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Things Teachers Love to Hear!
From Administrators…
No duty!
What do you think?
From Students ….
I get it!
Let me try again.
Miss (Sir), I had a great day!
From Parents …
How can I help?
My child is very happy this year.
Glad you called
From Anyone …
Thank you.
And of course...
Snow Day!
Monday, October 8, 2012
Walking Club
Our school has a program called Exploratories where children choose an activity they wish to pursue for four half days during the month of October. Choices range from swimming, golfing, bracelet making, soapstone carving, babysitters course, cooking, baking, fall safety ,,, the list goes on. The children love it and teachers get a chance to engage them outside the regular classroom.
I have a walking club. With eleven Grade 5 and 6 boys, you can imagine the energy! They walked or I should say gamboled, ran, jumped, zig-zagged, skipped and swaggered. It was a glorious fall day in HV-GB. We checked out where some of them lived, the jumps they constructed for their bikes, the creek where they caught frogs last summer and every friendly pooch they could get close to. What a wonderful day!
I have a walking club. With eleven Grade 5 and 6 boys, you can imagine the energy! They walked or I should say gamboled, ran, jumped, zig-zagged, skipped and swaggered. It was a glorious fall day in HV-GB. We checked out where some of them lived, the jumps they constructed for their bikes, the creek where they caught frogs last summer and every friendly pooch they could get close to. What a wonderful day!
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Seminar at Birch Brook
When a group of teachers get together for a workshop on a Saturday, you can bet it's something special! We were quite fortunate to have George Tucker from NLTA's Professional Development Division in St. John's serve as facilitator. Our workshop on Respectful Workplace and an Orientation Session for New Teachers were quite informative. We also took advantage of the wonderful setting to take a walk together and enjoy the beautiful fall weather. Thanks go to George for a great day, to the Birch Brook Nordic Ski Club for their outstanding facility and to the Lake Melville Branch for organizing the event. And kuddos as well to all the teachers who took time from their weekend to come out and participate. We look forward to other sessions throughout the year.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Welcome Back!
Here we are back in the thick of a new school year. Two weeks in and it feels like we never left! The planning, the meetings, the curriculum nights have all returned and we are off to the races... the mad dash until Christmas! I hope your year is punctuated with some fun activities with your students. Keeps you going when the pile of correcting starts to teeter.
For us teachers there are a lot of things to consider this fall. Right off the bat, opening proposals have been exchanged and collective bargaining has begun. Every teacher should check out their local branch meetings and be sure to attend, if at all possible. Come out to find out!
Next is the province-wide vote for NLTA President and Vice-President which is happening on December 4th. With five candidates for Vice-President (yours truly being the one I want you to vote for) we may be looking at a run-off vote two weeks later... December 18th.... WOW ... that is super close to Christmas! I would prefer a later date for elections, like March or May; but hey, the Convention decided and that's that!
So here's to a wonderful fall in NL. Welcome back ... to school, to work, to hunting or yoga, to ballet or hockey, to jogging or gymnastics - whatever you like to pursue. January may technically be the New Year, but September is the new year for SO many things. Good luck and be kind to each other.
For us teachers there are a lot of things to consider this fall. Right off the bat, opening proposals have been exchanged and collective bargaining has begun. Every teacher should check out their local branch meetings and be sure to attend, if at all possible. Come out to find out!
Next is the province-wide vote for NLTA President and Vice-President which is happening on December 4th. With five candidates for Vice-President (yours truly being the one I want you to vote for) we may be looking at a run-off vote two weeks later... December 18th.... WOW ... that is super close to Christmas! I would prefer a later date for elections, like March or May; but hey, the Convention decided and that's that!
So here's to a wonderful fall in NL. Welcome back ... to school, to work, to hunting or yoga, to ballet or hockey, to jogging or gymnastics - whatever you like to pursue. January may technically be the New Year, but September is the new year for SO many things. Good luck and be kind to each other.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Summer Fun
What a great summer! Very homey and family oriented. After decompression (the week after school finished) I spent some time digging in my garden and getting ready for a visit from my granddaughter and my sister. We had a ball! I haven’t giggled so much for a long time. Felt really goodJ After Sis left, we went to Churchill Falls and visited the power plant – absolutely awesome tour! Ninety stories below the surface inside rock that is billions of years old. Makes you feel just a teensy bit teeny. Very interesting, though.
Had a quick visit in St. John’s with my step-daughter and her significant other. I also connected with my good friend Tonya and took a hike around Signal Hill. A great walk - except for the few places where you really shouldn’t look down if youhave ANY fear of heights what-so-ever….. eeek!
After that I was off to my other sister’s wedding in B.C. where I was lucky enough to get in on the last minute preparations. All that anticipation… I could barely contain myself. Had marvelous food, frequent dog walks and even a visit to the beach and to the aquarium in Sydney. Got to hang out with my nieces, newphew and their families. A wonderful time all around!
Just one more visit to make – my annual trek home to Corner Brook. More about that towards the end of the month.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Bridget's Angels
We attended a dinner last Saturday which raised around $3000 to support the projects of Bridget’s non-profit organization, Guatemala - Children First Inc. which provides school supplies and scholarships to children who want to pursue schooling beyond Grade 6. When we compare all we have in the classrooms of our country with the great need that exists in the areas surrounding Playa Grande in Guatemala, we have to count our blessings.
Similarly, Bridget counts her blessings in the form of an ad hoc organizing committee whose tireless efforts has helped her enormously in this pursuit. Janet Paine, Philomena Abbass, Pauline Edwards and Mary Abbass – all retired teachers like Bridget - are Bridget’s Angels… hands-on, hardworking, good-hearted angels who unreservedly put in the hours to make a dream come true in a far-away land.
If you would like to be an angel too and contribute to this worthwhile cause, go to www.futureswithschools.com. Everyone should have the chance to have an education.
Monday, April 9, 2012
It's been awhile
Wow! Half a year has gone by since my last blog... unbelievable! While I really enjoyed blogging last summer, I would like to do a little less journaling and a little more reflecting about ideas and issues in education and in society in general. But before I move on from the personal, I would like to share a poem I composed on November 30, 2011, the day after my Mom passed away.
Mother
You were my guardian angel
When I was only small
You looked out for me and loved me
Helped me grow strong and tall
You taught me by example
Your presence kept me true
I relied on you and trusted in
The strength that came from you
Didn't always know the purpose
Couldn't always see the plan
But your faith, it never wavered
And now I know I can
Look back with pride and wonder
At how you did it all
Gave so much to all of us
To make us strong and tall
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