Christmas Spirit at Blackville School

Over the past couple of weeks, many holiday activities were hosted at Blackville School.

The High School Christmas Formal was held on Friday, December 2 in the school cafeteria. The theme was "Dreaming of a Black and White Christmas".

To view photos of the High School Formal click here.

Middle School Christmas formal was held the following week on Thursday, December 8.
To view more photos click here.

The school's annual Band and Choir Night was presented on Tuesday, December 13. It was a great night of music, featuring performances from both the elementary and Senior girls choirs, the jazz band along with the grade 9 instrumental class, as well as several vocal and instrumental solos. Fudge and beverages were sold by the Middle School Student council to raise money for the local food bank this holiday season.


To view more photos click here.


Dress up days for high school students took place December 19-23. The days included: Red and/or Green Day, Plaid/Flannel Day, Christmas Character Day, Ugly Christmas Sweater Day and PJ or Christmas Hat Day.

The Elementary Christmas concert took place on December 20. The first showing was at 9 am, and the second was at 10:30 am. To see more photos here.

High School Drama presented their Christmas play, Suzie Scrooge for the public on Wednesday evening, December 21 in the cafeteria. To view photos click here.

December 23 was a half-day of classes for students before they departed for the holiday break, click here for photos.

On behalf of the Journalism 120 class, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

By Jensen Urquhart

Elementary Christmas Concert 2016 (Video)

Eagle Talk for December 22

Hosts Ciara Arbeau and Nicole Nicole share news from Blackville School. The "Eagle Talk" podcast can be heard on Life Radio on Friday evenings.

Christmas Movies for the Holiday Season

Christmas time can be one of the best times, especially with all of the existing Christmas movies! If you enjoy getting into the Christmas spirit by watching Christmas movies then check out the suggestions below:

1. How The Grinch Stole Christmas -  With Jim Carrey starring in this film, it makes it hard not to adore this Christmas movie! The movie tells of a story of the Who's in a town called Whoville, all in a snowflake! The Grinch is undeniably cranky and hates the thought of Christmas so much, but all of that changes when he is influenced by the sweet Cindy Lou Who. 
2. Home Alone - This movie features the adventures of a little boy when he protects his home from burglars when his family accidentally leaves him home during a family vacation. 
3. Elf -  If your family enjoys laughing until you cry at movies, then this is the perfect movie for you! This movie features an over sized, adult elf that was adopted by Santa and is sent to the U.S. to find out his true identity.
4. The Polar Express - More suitable for younger audiences, but open to older audiences as well, the movie tells the story of a little boy who goes on a magical adventure to the North Pole on a train called The Polar Express. On his adventure he learns about bravery, friendship and the spirit of Christmas! 
5. The Muppet Christmas Carol - Adapted from the original Christmas Carol, the comical Muppets tell their own version of the Scrooge.
6. Frosty The Snowman - This touching movie tells of a little girl and a live snowman named Frosty, who struggles with a musician that is very greedy and is after Frosty's magical hat!
7. Christmas With The Kranks - One of the most comical Christmas movies, the movie features a family that decides not to celebrate Christmas when they find out that their only daughter is not coming home. However, they go to great lengths to celebrate Christmas at the last minute when they find out that their daughter is coming home after all. 
8. A Christmas Carol - This movie is an animated version of the classic novel by Charles' Dickens, about a miserable man who despises the Christmas season, as well as everything that comes with it. Because of this, Christmas apparitions take him on a journey that makes him realize that he has to change. 
9. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - Though this movie is older than the others, it is still a widely adored film, especially among the young ones. A reindeer that gets himself into trouble, along with his friends, searches for a place where they will all be accepted. 
10. The Christmas Shoes - While this movie is very sad, it is also one of the most touching Christmas movies. The movie features a poor boy who goes out of his way to buy shoes for his dying mother. The movie also features a lawyer that  has to struggle with divorcing his wife.  

Compiled by Samantha Arsenault and Rayna MacVicar. 

Elementary Christmas Colouring Contest Winners (Video)

Songs for the Season

If you love to get into the Christmas spirit by listening to some Christmas tunes, then these are the top songs for you!

1. Jingle Bells - This song is extremely well known by both the young and the old. It is very catchy and the words are so easy to remember! Link to song
2. Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer - Like Jingle Bells, this song is extremely well known, especially by the younger ones. Link to song
3. Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town - Many of the young ones tend to adore this song, especially because of its catchy tune and words. Link to song
4. Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree - This upbeat song tends to be very popular and played at family get togethers. Link to song
5. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas - This song has Christmas right in its title! It tells of the events and feelings that takes place around Christmastime! Link to song
6. Santa Baby - One of the more fun Christmas songs, Santa Baby is addressing Santa himself, and the gifts that women really want!Link to song
7. Let It Snow - This song influences people to get into the Christmas mood, and to indulge in the wintertime. Link to song
8. White Christmas - This song clearly portrays the image of Christmas that almost everybody has. There is snow everywhere you look, and the air is chilly and filled with cheer! Link to song
9. O Holy Night - This Christmas classic is a favourite by many and is one of the more religious songs played at Christmas time. Link to song
10. So This Is Christmas - This song is one of the most touching Christmas of all time, especially because it tells of the situation of many people, young and old, that do not experience the Christmas holidays like we do. Link to song

Compiled by Rayna MacVicar and Samantha Arsenault

                                                                     

Gina Keenan Makes 150 Count

Gina Keenan presents $150 donation to Blackville School
 staff, Mrs. Tracy Moody and Mrs. Twila Sturgeon

After being selected to participate in RBC's Make 150 Count program, grade eleven student Gina Keenan decided to donate $150 to the school to be directed toward resources for autistic students.

Gina is greatly involved in different activities at school, like volleyball. She is also the Vice-President of the High School Student Council.

She decided to donate the money to the school because her older brother, Brandon, has autism. The money will go towards the autism resources at Blackville School to help other students like him.

To find out more about the program, click here.

Article by Samantha Stockless
Photo by Cameron Hambrook  

People's Picks Dec.19-23

The high school teacher of the week is Mr. Norton. His favourite thing about teaching at the school is the students. In his spare time he likes to watch hockey. His favourite thing about the holidays is spending lots of time at the rink. Over the Christmas break he plans on watching world junior hockey. If he could give advice to his students it would be to take school seriously because it will pay off later on in life. Something that his students should know about him is that he loves teaching them.






The high school student of the week is Janet Jardine. Mr. Norton picked her because she is a very hard worker. Her favourite thing about school is 3:00. In her spare time she likes to sleep. Her favourite thing about the holidays is spending time with her family. Her favourite Christmas movie is Santa Claus 2. Over the Christmas break she plans on visiting her family.




The staff member of the week is Mrs. Breau. Her favourite thing about working at the school is working with the staff and students. In her spare time she likes to spend time with her family. Her advice to the students is that they should come to school and do their work everyday. Her favourite thing about the holidays is spending time with her family. Her favourite Christmas movie is Christmas Vacation. Over the Christmas break she plans on going to Disney with her family.

Articles and photos by Sarah Jardine and Laura Sturgeon

Viewpoint: Christmas

Getting Involved in your Community

When living in a small tight knit community there are many opportunities to get involved, especially at a young age.  Young people in today's world have the potential to accomplish great things, without even realizing it.

The future lies in the hands of our young people, which is why it is important to encourage the youth to take action and have their voices heard.

The decisions that we make today will ultimately shape the world we live in tomorrow. No matter what area sparks their interest, whether it be politics, charity work or raising awareness on a particular issue, this new generation has fresh ideas that can be brought to the table.

When people become set in their ways and used to their everyday routines, they can often become resistant to change. Not everyone believes that young people are the best people to trust with the outcome of their future, especially people of the older generation who may not be used to the new technology or way of life.

Grade eleven student Gina Keenan at Blackville School is a great example of someone who participates in community involvement. She was recently selected in RBC's Make 150 Count program. Students are given $150, to make a difference, by doing something positive in their community.

With Christmas quickly approaching, this is a great time to become more actively involved in your community and help those who are less fortunate. It is important not to let your talents go to waste, and to use them to the best of your ability.

WE Charity (Free the Children), Student Council, the Greater Blackville Resource Centre, Miramichi Big Brothers Big Sisters, The Josie Foundation, the Miramichi SPCA or even helping out a neighbour - these are just a few examples of how to get involved this holiday season.

Read more on the story about Gina Keenan by clicking here.           

By Jensen Urquhart

Viewpoint: Snow Days

People's Picks (Dec 5-9)

The Student of the Week is Tanner Gillespie. Ms. Brophy chose Tanner for student of the week because he works very hard in her class. Since he worked so hard he is ahead in the class and is almost done the course. Tanner said that he was surprised to be selected for Student of the Week because he didn't expect it. In his spare time he likes to hang out with his friends. His favourite part of the school day is 3:00 so he can go home. His favourite subject in school is Math.

The Teacher the Week is Ms. Brophy. Ms. Brophy's favourite thing about working at the school are the students that she gets to teach. In her spare time Ms. Brophy likes to practice her math skills, even teachers need to practice. When she was in school her favourite subject was Math. We asked her what is one piece of advice that you could give to your students? She said to "work hard and take pride in the work that you do."



The Staff Member of the Week is Lisa Underhill, the school librarian. Lisa's favourite thing about working at the school are the students. In her spare time, she likes to visit her friends. Lisa's favourite subject when she was in school was Geography. We asked her if she has any advice for the students, and she said that they should learn to put the books back in their correct space. Lisa loves the movie Footloose, the new one of course.

Photos and articles by Sarah Jardine and Laura Sturgeon 

Podcast December 8th

Hosts Ciara Arbeau and Nicole Nicole share news from Blackville School. The "Eagle Talk" podcast can be heard on Life Radio on Friday evenings.

Viewpoint: Riddles

Special Visitor at Blackville School

William with his mother, Alisha Brophy

Grade 2 students in Mrs. Sobey's class at Blackville School have a special visitor this year.

Baby William Emery Newman and his mother, Alisha Brophy, come about every two weeks to visit the class.

Desks are moved and a large green blanket is laid on the floor; the blanket is called the "safe zone."

The children will sit on the blanket and sing and talk to the baby and his mother. William is then measured and the measurements are compared to his measurements from the last visit. 

Each visit has a different theme, some examples of previous themes are crying, teething and caring.

The children learn about what to do in situations where the baby is crying, teething, or need caring; learning these things will help the children in many different areas in life.

Not only do the students learn about caring for a baby in different situations, but they learn about basic knowledge and being kind to others; they learn about being gentle and they learn that everyone is unique. Roots of Empathy helps to reduce bullying and promotes empathy.

The classroom program is very popular around the world and is in ten countries, three continents and in three languages.

According to the Roots of Empathy website, the program "has dramatic effects in reducing levels of aggression among school children by raising social/emotional competence and increasing empathy."

The website says the goals of the program are "to foster the development of empathy, to develop emotional literacy, to reduce levels of bullying, aggression and violence, and promote children’s pro-social behaviours."

More goals mentioned are "to increase knowledge of human development, learning, and infant safety, and to prepare students for responsible citizenship and responsive parenting."

To see more photos of William and the class, click here.

By Samantha Arsenault
Photos by Samantha Arsenault and Jules Keenan

New Girl's Group at Blackville School

This year, a new group surfaced at Blackville school for the grade 6 and 7 girls. Mrs. Breau, the school's guidance counselor, and Allison Mazzorato, a graduate student obtaining a Masters of Education degree in counselling, wanted to offer the middle school grades a group that would be fun and useful.

This was started on October 17, and participants usually meet on Monday afternoons in the school art room.The group's purpose is to meet and discuss what it is like being a girl in today's society.

This assembly doesn't have a set name yet, but is referred to as the girl's group. This is a closed group, which means that the same people attend every meeting. The goal of these meetings is to inspire girls to feel more empowered in themselves and their relationships.

By Samantha Stockless