1 September 2016 Hike a Trail, Plant a Tree, Save a Forest! Allan Lafford High School students plant trees on the Skyline Trail. Na’teliaq On Monday, September 26, students from the Allan Lafford High School in Potlotek took a day trip to the Cape Breton Highlands National Park to take part in a unique event. Hike a Trail, Plant a Tree, Save a Forest is a tree-planting event hosted by Parks Canada in Cape Breton Highlands National Park which gives visitors, schools, community groups and organizations the opportunity to plant trees to help restore the boreal forest. In 2014, Parks Canada began a project that focussed on bringing back the health of the forest in the highlands. Certain rare species in the area are struggling with the loss of habitat due to the fact that the Moose population in the park has grown exponentially over the past number of years and they're eating the new trees before they have a chance to grow. So far this year, over 40,000 balsam fir trees have been planted inside of a fenced in area built to keep moose out. During their trip, students hiked in to the "Moose Exclosure", which took about 20 minutes. This was followed by the tree planting which took about an hour. “What I liked most about our trip to the Skyline Trail was that we were able to plant over 200 trees,” said Kulokowech Pictou, student. Her sentiment was echoed by several of her classmates as well. This group was the final school group to plant trees for this year but planting will resume in the spring. For more information about the project, please search for “Bring Back the Boreal” on Youtube, or watch it www.pc.gc.ca/bringbacktheboreal
Transcript
1
September 2016
Hike a Trail, Plant a Tree, Save a Forest! Allan Lafford High School students plant trees on the Skyline Trail.
Na’teliaq
On Monday, September 26, students from the Allan Lafford High School in Potlotek took a day trip to the Cape Breton Highlands National Park to take part in a unique event. Hike a Trail, Plant a Tree, Save a Forest is a tree-planting event hosted by Parks Canada in Cape Breton Highlands National Park which gives visitors, schools, community groups and organizations the opportunity to plant trees to help restore the boreal forest.
In 2014, Parks Canada began a project that focussed on bringing back the health of the forest in the highlands.
Certain rare species in the area are struggling with the loss of habitat due to the fact that the Moose population in the park has grown exponentially over the past number of years and they're eating the new trees before they have a chance to grow. So far this year, over 40,000 balsam fir trees have been planted inside of a fenced in area built to keep moose out.
During their trip, students hiked in to the "Moose Exclosure", which took about 20 minutes. This was followed by the tree planting which took about an hour. “What I liked most about our trip to the Skyline Trail was that we were able to plant over 200 trees,” said Kulokowech Pictou, student. Her sentiment was echoed by several of her classmates as well.
This group was the final school group to plant trees for this year but planting will resume in the spring.
For more information about the project, please search for “Bring Back the Boreal” on Youtube, or watch it www.pc.gc.ca/bringbacktheboreal
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Skyline Trail Snapshots
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Literacy Professional Development "The secret to good teaching may be as simple as asking students good questions and then giving them the opportunity to find the answers" - Jeffrey D Wilhelm.
On September 8th and September 9th, teachers at ABMHS and EEMS spent the day discussing the importance of asking the right questions in their classrooms. Guided by Audrey Murphy, retired Literacy Consultant, teachers shared strategies on how to encourage shy students to feel comfortable answering questions. They also reflected on the importance of using different levels of questioning and student designed assessments. They spoke about how it is important to do the background work to teach students not only how to ask questions but to think deeply about things they don't like. They also discussed why confusion is a necessary challenge that students must learn to overcome.
Literacy Update
On September 27th, literacy teachers from grades 6-12 from all MK schools gathered in Membertou for their first Professional Learning Community (PLC) of the 2016/17 school year. Teachers who are attending the sessions will have an opportunity to work in collaboration with other teachers in the MK board. Their focus for the year will be on academic literacy and comprehension strategies. Together they will set goals for their literacy plans, share ideas about what is working in their classrooms, review student work samples and brainstorm possible lesson ideas to help students become better writers in all genres.
Teachers will meet several times during the school year and will have specific tasks to prepare before each session. The next session will take place on October 18 & 19 in Membertou.
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Student Services Update
Just before the new school year began, teachers from MK schools in Cape Breton were invited to take part in Zones of Regulation Training. This training introduces teachers to "The Zones" which is a method of teaching students self-regulation by categorizing the different ways they feel into four zones. The goal is to teach students to identify their levels, what strategies are effective for them, and how to use their strategies to problem solve solutions.
Teachers spent the day learning about the four zones and how to use this training in their classrooms with their students. They left with lesson ideas for teaching their students about “The Zones” and practical uses for their classrooms.
Similar training will take place for teachers on the Mainland during the month of October.
For some exciting news - the materials for the calming rooms has arrived! Construction on their rooms has begun in some communities and others will begin over the next few months. Each room has been designed according to the needs of the students and available space. We can’t wait to share photos of the finished rooms from each school! Below is some of the progress fro We’koqma’q school. Looking good!
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Nitap Day 2016
Nitap Day was held on September 23, 2016. Students from our MK schools enjoyed the day with their “Nitaps” while playing games with the parachute, going for a walk, playing in the gym, singing karaoke and drawing to name a few of the many activities that took place. From the smiles on their faces, its easy to tell that they enjoyed the day celebrating friendships!
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Nitap Day Snapshots
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The Siawi-L’nui’sultinej - “Finding My Talk” Mi’kmaw Language Conference was held at the Dundee Resort in Richmond County, Cape Breton from September 18th-21st. The gathering brought elders and youth from across the province together to address language revitalization strategies.
The agenda included keynote addresses from Brian Maracle and Tracey Herbert. Maracle is the principal instructor at Onkwawenna Kentyohkwa, a full-time, two-year immersion program on the Six Nations Grand River Territory that teaches adults
to speak Kanyen’keha (the “Mohawk” language). Herbert is the Executive Director of the First Peoples’ Cultural Council (FPCC), a provincial Crown agency with the mandate to vitalize and support First Nations languages, arts and cultures in B.C.
Participants not only heard from these speakers but also spent time in community breakout sessions and with the guidance of group facilitators, discussed their plans for the revitalization of the Mi’kmaw Language in their communities. “Every single person in attendance contributed to solutions, shared stories of successes, challenges and ways to move forward in the strengthening and revitalization of the Mi'kmaq language”, explained Blaire Gould, Mi’kmaw Language Consultant. “People left the conference feeling inspired and motivated!
When not working on their community plan, everyone was given the opportunity to take part in bead work, waltes, or hear stories from the elders. Musical entertainment was provided each night.
The feedback from the delegates was so positive that there are hopes to plan another event like this in the future.
Mi’kmaw Language Update
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Language Conference Snapshots
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Nova Scotia Construction Sector Council Halifax November 6th to 8th 2016 This three day exploration into the Trades will provide a hands-on learning experience with individuals who are experts in the industry.
The Nova Scotia Aboriginal Youth Skilled Trades Fair is open to aboriginal youth in grades 9-12 and students attending Adult Learning Programs.
To apply please fill out the registration form which can be found at www.kinu.ca. All costs (hotel, meals and transportation) will be covered by Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey, Native Council of Nova Scotia, the Assembly of Nova Scotia Chiefs and MEBO.
Please submit your application via email to [email protected] or fax to 902 567 0337 by October 14th, 2016.
Come Explore the Trades 4th Annual Nova Scotia Aboriginal Youth
