The Travelling Flag

The Travelling Flag pays tribute to our fallen heroes, their families, injured, those currently serving and our veterans. On Dec. 19th, 2010, you may participate in this special event that will honour Scott Vernelli.

Sault Ste. Marie Armoury

375 Pine St.

11:00-3:00

Proceeds will go to The MCpl Scott Vernelli Playground at Queen Elizabeth School.

Organizers ask to please wear red to support our military during this day.

"The flag travels to military families and our supporters alike. Many legions, school groups, and families of the fallen , injured and deployed receive the flag. There are no specific guidelines as it means something different for all. It only pertains to Afghanistan. It is brought to many legions for our veterans to sign, it comes with a journal, many of our injured write to say thank you to a family whose son or daughter may have held their hand, it is written in by families who want to share their experiences or what the flag means to them. It is designed for all to be shared by all. It has begun its journey in Newfoundland and will travel all over Canada. It is not a hugely publicized event, was never the intention. It is for us as Canadians to share our experiences. When it eventually comes home in 2011, all that have been involved will make a general consensus of where it will call home."

Character Through the Arts

Character Through the Arts

Are you looking for ways to engage your students in exciting activities through the Arts? The following teacher developed resources provide ideas and activities to embed character through the arts. The Character Through the Arts website offers a number of lessons that focus on "big ideas" through literacy using rich mentor texts and teaching character using music, art and drama. Teachers and artists have formed a partnership to submit lesson ideas and activities to use in the classroom.

Enjoy a look through the website for many ideas/activities that may best suit your program and the curriculum.

"The purpose of Character Through The Arts was to integrate arts agencies/teaching artists and the Artful Learning™ education reform model with proven character education strategies to determine the impact this integration had on moral character and academic achievement.

In the “teachers’ corner” at this website you will find a large library of extensive, cross-curricular units."

http://www.characterthroughthearts.org/

Another resource to explore is incredibleart.com . When you type in "character education" in their search box, a variety of lessons from many online sites will appear. The following is a direct link to the character education sites that incorporate the arts in their lesson plans http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/Files/search.html?cx=partner-pub-6606350984518890%3Ay5o55p4jxaa&cof=FORID%3A10&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=character+education&siteurl=www.princetonol.com%2Fgroups%2Fiad%2Flinks%2Fartstuff.html#1119

For more information contact:

Kerry Grbich
Character Education Special Assignment Teacher
705-945-7433

Remembering

Students and staff of Algoma District School Board thoughtfully remembered and reflected on the actions of the many service people who help secure our freedom and rights as Canadians and citizens of the world. The following touching images show a solemn reflection of remembrance in one of our schools. Student leaders with support from their teachers reached out to their school and community, asking them to participate by sharing their memories, artifacts and wishes for Peace.

Let us remember and reflect on our continued responsibility to one another . We can make a difference as responsible citizens of our world. In remembering one another through acts of kindness and reflecting on what is really important, we can accomplish anything, together.

Peace Through Music

Playing for Change

This is a wonderful resource that you may wish to use in the classroom that shares the power of people connecting to inspire and bring peace through music.

Excerpt from Playing for Change Blog http://playingforchange.com/

The Inspiration
Playing for Change is a multimedia movement created to inspire, connect, and bring peace to the world through music. The idea for this project arose from a common belief that music has the power to break down boundaries and overcome distances between people. No matter whether people come from different geographic, political, economic, spiritual or ideological backgrounds, music has the universal power to transcend and unite us as one human race. And with this truth firmly fixed in our minds, we set out to share it with the world.

The Production
We built a mobile recording studio, equipped with all the same equipment used in the best studios, and traveled to wherever the music took us. As technology changed, our power demands were downsized from golf cart batteries to car batteries, and finally to laptops. Similarly, the quality with which we were able to film and document the project was gradually upgraded from a variety of formats-- each the best we could attain at the time—finally to full HD.One thing that never changed throughout the process was our commitment to create an environment for the musicians in which they could create freely and that placed no barriers between them and those who would eventually experience their music. By leading with that energy and intent everywhere we traveled, we were freely given access to musicians and locations that are usually inaccessible. In this respect, the inspiration that originally set us on this path became a co-creator of the project along with us!

The Effect
Over the course of this project, we decided it was not enough for our crew just to record and share this music with the world; we wanted to create a way to give back to the musicians and their communities that had shared so much with us. And so in 2007 we created the Playing for Change Foundation, a separate 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation whose mission is to do just that. In early 2008, we established Timeless Media, a for-profit entity that funds and extends the work of Playing for Change. Later that year, Timeless Media entered into a joint venture with the Concord Music Group through the support of label co-owner and entertainment legend Norman Lear and Concord Music Group executive vice president of A&R John Burk. Our goal is to bring PFC’s music, videos and message to the widest possible audience. Now, musicians from all over the world are brought together to perform benefit concerts that build music and art schools in communities that are in need of inspiration and hope. In addition to benefit concerts, the Playing for Change band also performs shows around the world. When audiences see and hear musicians who have traveled thousands of miles from their homes, united in purpose and chorus on one stage, everyone is touched by music's unifying power. And now, everyone can participate in this transformative experience by joining the Playing for Change Movement. People are hosting screenings, musicians are holding benefit concerts of every size, fans are spreading the message of Playing for Change through our media, and this is only the beginning. Together, we will connect the world through music!

For more information, contact Kerry Grbich.

I Love My School

Written by Keiko

Chapleau Public School

I am from Chapleau Public School, and I love it! Even though CPS isn't the richest school around, it's a total blast. Though, it's too bad that I'm going to be gone in two years (Gr. 7 and 8 left).

My school is awesome! I love my school, I love my classmates and I really, really love my school staff! I am glad that they are the ones teaching me what I need to learn for the future! All so different yet all so "Fantabulous"!

In the past year or two I have realized that I am oh so lucky to have a school, classmates and a school staff as awesomely amazing as what we have here at Chapleau Public School! I just wanted to take the time out and really thank CPS for what it has given me, and what it will be giving me for my future! I don't really know how to describe how much my school really means to me. I know...I got it... my school means the world to me and they deserve to be appreciated!

I love you guys!!

Keiko

Feel glad that you are doing one of the most important jobs in the world. Your impact may not be felt for a while, but trust that you are having an impact on the future, through the young people you teach.

~anonymous

Character Every Day

I believe great character is in the little day-to-day actions that take place. Here's a great example. Doris Buck is a wonderful cleaner at our school, We are lucky to have her. Today I asked her to sweep the sand off the asphalt off our outside basketball courts and back into the playground. She was doing this at lunch.

When I was on yard duty, I looked over and saw many of our JK - Gr. 1 students helping her sweep, shovel and transport the sand with their dump trucks. She had to go into the school to get more brooms and shovels. I was so proud of our little ones, and of Doris for letting them help.

This touching story was shared by Barb Jarvis

Principal, Sir James Dunn Elementary

Wawa

Teaching Tolerance

At a recent workshop I discover some wonderful FREE resources for teachers that I believe fit nicely with our Character Education initiative and have a focus on equity, inclusion and diversity. The magazine is titled "Teaching Tolerance" and focuses on such issues as poverty, homelessness, bias, cyber-bullying and others with the purpose of helping students to deepen their cultural understanding. This is a free resource to teachers. Archived articles are also found on the link below.

http://www.tolerance.org/magazine/archives

In addition to the magazine, Teaching Tolerance kits such as are also free to educators.

Order your materials using this form. They also have various classroom activities that you may find useful in your classroom. Please review materials to determine suitability for your class and students.

Contact Kerry Grbich if you have any questions.

Children Helping Children Through Education

Free The Children

Through leadership training at home and community development projects abroad, Free The Children empowers youth everywhere to make a difference. Their motto is Free children from poverty. Free children from exploitation. Free children from the idea that they are powerless to change the world.

"Free The Children is the world’s largest network of children helping children through education, with more than one million youth involved in our innovative education and development programs in 45 countries. Founded in 1995 by international child rights activist Craig Kielburger, Free The Children has a proven track record of success. The organization has received the World’s Children’s Prize for the Rights of the child (also known as the Children’s Nobel Prize), the Human Rights Award from the World Association of Non-Governmental Organizations, and has formed successful partnerships with leading school board and Oprah’s Angel Network."

~Free the Children

The Educator's resource page http://www.freethechildren.com/getinvolved/educator/ provides many ideas for teachers to help engage students in global citizenship and empowers students to get involved and make a difference. Global Voices is an exciting classroom-based program aimed at developing global citizens! Teachers can sign up to receive on-line articles and resources that help support their classroom Character Education program and inspire their students to change the world through issues-based activities and discussion. Sign up here:

http://www.freethechildren.com/getinvolved/educator/programs.php?type=global

For more information and resources to support student engagement and leadership in your school and classroom, please contact me.

Kerry Grbich
Program Team

Character Education Special Assignment Teacher, K-12

705-945-7433

TeacherTube

TeacherTube
Throughout the year I will share a variety of activities, programs and resources that you may choose to use in your classroom or school that support Character Education. Have fun exploring these resources and how they might fit in with your program and best meet the needs of your students.

The following website that I would like to share with you is called TeacherTube.com. It is a teacher resource website that includes a variety of videos, documents, channels,blogs,resources etc. uploaded by teachers. The site offers a number of inspirational videos to link Character to the curriculum. One video I find particularly useful for student globalization and leadership is called The Miniature Earth, If The World Were A Village of 100 People :

http://www.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=59533&title=If_the_world_were_a_village_of_100_people .

This video may be used in conjunction with the rich mentor text If the World Were A Village by David Smith.

Enjoy!

Kerry Grbich

Program Team
ADSB Character Education Special Assignment Teacher, K-12
705-945-7433

Character Development Opportunities for Schools

Through the year I will share various Character initiatives and projects available to you to consider for your classroom and school. Here are a couple of great character development opportunities for your schools that you may want to investigate further. These two programs are student focused and provide practical authentic opportunities for student engagement and leadership.

Imagineaction

I discovered the first program called Imagineaction in the September Edition of Professionally Speaking. It is a social action project resource for teachers to support student-driven social-action projects in their classroom or school. Beginning on September 1st, teachers may access funds and community expertise to support student driven social action projects. The initiative established by the Canadian Teachers' Federation will "link teachers to community experts to encourage student-driven social-action projects following the six themes: connect (relationships), engage (active and participatory citizenship), thrive (health and wellness), lead (leadership), live (environmental sustainability) and care (poverty)."

The projects can deal with such issues as globalization,bullying, racism, human rights, environmental stewardship and equity. As stated in the article, the CTF believes that "quality education is about providing students with opportunities to infuse curriculum into real-world situations. Education is about being a part of a student's journey as a lifelong learner and problem solver- it is about teaching students to be critical thinkers and to look for opportunities to apply their knowledge in a transformative way". For more information,click on the website below.

http://www.imagine-action.ca/

Green Apple School Program

The second opportunity I would like to share is an Environmental Stewardship initiative called Green Apple Grants by METRO. This initiative from Metro was created to encourage students to participate in the development of a healthier environment. Since its induction in the fall of 2009, the program has rallied thousands of students from Ontario and Quebec and encouraged them to become involved in their school and make a difference in their community.
Metro has awarded hundreds of $1,000 grants to elementary and high schools with ideas for green projects in their communities and the company will distribute up to $1 million dollars for this program. The program offers ideas from previous projects and applying for the grant is as easy as filling in a quick form with your idea for your classroom or school.

So, what’s your green idea?
http://www.greenapplegrants.ca/

Good luck with your projects.

If you have any other special project grants or initiatives to share or if you require further information, please feel free to contact me.

Kerry Grbich

Program Team

ADSB Character Education Special Assignment Teacher, K-12

705-945-7433

Welcome Back to a Wonderful New School Year

Welcome back!

Thank you to all of our students,teachers, parents, community members, stakeholders and administrative team for your continued efforts and commitment to the success of our Character Education initiative. The importance of character development in our students is reflected in the daily work of our schools and as a priority in our Board policies, practices and interactions. An intentional and purposeful focus on character development supports student learning and is viewed as the foundation of student success as found in the Community, Care and Culture pillar of our Board Improvement Plan. Student leadership and engagement will continue to be a focus. Please follow this blog for important character information and updates.

Kerry Grbich
Program Team
ADSB Character Education Special Assignment Teacher, K-12

Winter Olympics

Here is a character education idea that ties into Language & the Winter Olympics. My class has just finished reading "Beatrice's Goat" (a mentor's text in all schools) that tells the true story of a poor girl in Uganda that gets to go to school after her family receives the gift of a goat. A student in BC has started a foundation called 'Goats for Gold" in which he hopes that Canadians will donate a goat to a needy family in Africa for every gold medal our athletes win in Vancouver. Our class is having a bake sale on Monday and for every $34.50 we raise, we will be able to purchase a goat for an impoverished African family.

Thanks,
George Gomes Grade 3 Etienne Brule

http://www.ctvolympics.ca/news-centre/newsid=26450.html?cid=rsstsn

One Hen Challenge Update

One Hen Challenge Update

The students at William Merrifield have completed the One Hen 10K Challenge to raise money for micro finance loans for poor entrepreneurs. The challenge ended in December. Not only did the students surpass their goal of raising $100.00 (they raised $177.00), they have committed to continue to invest beads to make a difference in the world.

Teacher Sandi Dalcin writes, "The One Hen challenge was amazing to watch. We raised 10 000 points in the last two days. Once the students realised the point of the challenge wasn't to play for fun, but to play to help others to achieve a better quality of life - they began to share strategies for getting more beads in the shortest amount of time. When the beads started stockpiling, they began encouraging others to invest their beads. The computer lab was buzzing with students helping each other and cheering each other on. They were getting competitive - trying to outdo each other. This was a healthy, meaningful challenge where these students could watch their gains online. We slipped from third place to fifth place over the course of the challenge. That wasn't satisfactory - so they picked up the pace to edge out the competition and earn their way back to a third place finish."

The students and staff at William Merrifield V.C. Public School continue to aspire to do acts of kindness which positively affect their school, community, and world. We are a community that strives to "be the change we want to see in the world." (Gandhi)

I Am A Kind Man

Here is another wonderful character development initiative to share. Beginning February 8th 2010, Mr. Andrew Nahwegahbow will be visiting as a guest presenter at Manitou Park school. He will be assisting with Character Development Learning by running mini workshops and activities in the drama classes. This opportunity is being provided for our grade 6/7/8 students. Through the vehicle of drama, Mr. Nahwegahbow will use the Seven Grandfather Teachings in association with the I am A Kind Man series of teachings and the 12 Character Attributes present in our curriculum to help students learn more about themselves.

The school's Vice Principal Mr. Stephen Patterson explains, "these teachings reinforce the earlier lessons on Human Rights and remind our community that student learning and achievement are built on a solid foundation of community, culture and caring. Mr. Nahwegabow's presence in our school is a celebration of our students, staff and every day character. Through the vehicle of Dramatic Arts we will be forging fantastic learning opportunities for all. "

Remember to visit the blog often. It is a great way to stay connected!

Celebrating Character & Multiculturalism

The Ben R. McMullin school community shared in a celebration of character and multiculturalism with many special events planned earlier in the school year. They continue to focus on building and enhancing a positive school culture that includes the importance of diversity and inclusion. Their high energy character assemblies involve student participation and sharing in character. Students and staff enthusiastically join in and sing along to their favourite character songs, participate in sharing a presentation of all of the many special activities they are involved in throughout the month that represent the character attribute focus and look forward to another month of good character.

In the beginning of the year, student members of the school community gave a very special presentation of traditional dance in anticipation of a successful Multicultural evening organized by the school. Community members including students, staff and parents were invited to share in an evening of Character that included traditional foods, song, dance and culture. Ben R McMullin is pleased to share more about their special Multicultural evening and their energetic character assemblies!

If you would like more information, please contact Kerry Grbich~ Character Education Special Assignment Teacher for more information.

grbichk@adsb.on.ca
or
705- 945- 7433

A Brand New Year

January heralds a brand new year and often along with that, a brand new start.

We often consider our accomplishments throughout the year and reflect on the things that we wish to improve on. January is a time to set new goals and really prioritize those things that are important to us. This time of reflection gives us the opportunity to count our blessings and think about the many things that are truly important in our lives . We show gratitude for the precious time spent with friends and family, wishing that in our busy lives we could spend more time together, our good health where we are afforded the luxury of medicine and medical care, a high standard of living including a safe place to live in country that is at peace, and a strong education system that gives our children hope and the promise to live with the same high standards that are our right.

In remembering that all people living in this World that we share, no matter their race, colour, religion, or beliefs share a common right-the human right to life, the "basic rights and freedoms to which all humans are entitled." The Universal Declaration of Human Rights http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/ lists all of our basic rights. Lets take this opportunity to think about our lives in relation to others that share this wonderful planet with us and how we can make a difference in this world. I've heard the statement "it starts at home" and "one small deed is all you need". Let's challenge each other to think outside of ourselves this New Year and make a small difference in the lives of others.

It is our duty to ensure that these rights are a living reality -- that they are known, understood and enjoyed by everyone, everywhere. It is often those who most need their human rights protected, who also need to be informed that the Declaration exists -- and that it exists for them.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

Perhaps with our help, we may one day see this living reality come to be.

Best wishes for a year filled with all that you hope for.

"Be the change you wish to see in the world".

Ghandi

We love comments!

Please share your wish to make a difference this new year.