This year's Annual Schools’ Art Show opened on January 30th , and will run until February 17th. This art show is evident of why the arts’ are so important to the overall development of individu-als. It is a form of expression that can not be denied. This sentiment is highlighted in an article featured in the Status Report 1992, entitled, 'Art Edu-cation and the Plight of Cul-ture' . "Of all the concepts that we lean on in our discipline, "creativity" is, perhaps, the most overused and least understood . . . . In short , we are driven by our appreciation of outcomes and end products, rather than by a concern to promote inner habits of mind. Curiously, in all our talk of creativity we rarely, if ever, acknowledge the imagination or

that activity of mind which, more than any other, may be seen to underpin real acts of personal creation. For it is the imagination, moreover, that allows us to play with ideas, draw new conclusions, test them in thought and action, and transform what is empirically given to us in our world into our own personal symbolic realities. The imagination is one of hu-man kind's most precious ca-pacities, one to which we need

to give a privileged place in our schools.” We must continue to enlighten our students on the benefits of using their creativity.

More pictures from the School Arts ‘show on the back page.

THE EDUCATORTHE EDUCATORFebruary 2006 MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT

THE ART OF EDUCATIONTHE ART OF EDUCATION

Painting by Kennae Wade

Shannon James, M3 science Teacher at Dellwood Middle school is also a Chaplain in the Bermuda Regiment. Mr. James, like so many other young Bermudian men when called for service, did not want to join, tried to get out of it, but made the best of it. He says, the Regiment has given him the opportunity to do things that he would have other-wise never had a chance to do. It offers many things including a chance to network with all types of people from all types of backgrounds. As the Chaplain, he’s had numerous opportunities to give an encouraging word to soldiers, as well as find viable solutions for some of the problems. The Regiment has afforded him many life changing

opportunities on a Global level. In 2004,they trav-eled to Jamaica where he encountered 22 Haitians who had escaped Haiti on a little 10 foot by 4 foot boat, enduring a 7 day trip, all huddled closely with each other until they landed in Jamaica. This past March, they were in Grenada, repairing damage from hurricane Ivan. Grenada's still haven't bounced back from the storm , and to this day, are still strug-gling to recover. The trip to Grenada really drove home the fact that we here in Bermuda have been blessed tremendously with "things", and our coun-terparts have school in buildings with no electricity and no computers, just the basics, but they are making the best of it all.

MAKING THE BEST OF ALL OF IT

Shannon James

Getting Started Getting Started

with Writingwith Writing

The Ministry of Education and Development hosted writing workshops for Primary year 2 , 3, 4 and 5 teachers. The Facilitators were Dr. Isoke Nia and Dr. Gabby Layden, two friends who met at Colombia University. They occasionally work together on workshops, and the Ministry was happy to have them together on this occasion, as they are working with the pair on a five year plan to improve writing skills at the primary, middle and senior levels. The workshops were held over a 4 day period at the Elbow Beach Hotel, and a total of 90 teachers attended the workshops over the 4 days. Workshop topics were : The Basic Concepts- Talk, Write, Choice and Conferring; The Sixty Minute Writing Workshop Daily Time; The Writerly Life- The Beginning Place/Unit for all year levels; The Structure of Mini-Lessons; Memoir Genre Study; Units of Study; Choosing Mentor Texts; literature, The Spine of the Writing Workshop. Dr. Isoke Nia, taught many years in New York City’s independent and public schools before becoming the Director of Research and Develop-ment for the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project. Currently she is the founding directory of All Write Literacy Consultants in Brook-lyn, New York. Isoke is known for her dynamic keynote speeches and engaging workshops. She has presented on poetry, reading and the African American child, lifting the barriers to loving the language, and literature in the writing workshop. Dr. Gaby Layden has over 20 years experience as an educator. She is a former Special education Teacher for Grades K-6 in New York and former Senior Staff Developer at Teachers College Reading and Writing Project for 7 years. Her specialty is narrative writing and working with struggling readers Gaby has traveled extensively nation-ally and internationally helping teachers with Reading and Writing Workshops. She currently works with districts to help teachers reflect and improve instructional practices in literacy, and develop curriculum for Reading Workshop. There will be another set of writing workshops on March 24th, for

all Primary 1 and 2 teachers.

Dr. Gabby Layden and Dr. Isoke Nia

NATIONAL COUNSELORS WEEK BEGINS ON FEBRUARY 6TH, 2006

Minister Lister has signed a proclamation that will start off National Counsellors Week. The aim of the week is public awareness to change public perception or what a counselor does, and also to acknowledge the extent of com-mitment from school counselors to help students explore their abilities, strengths, interest and talents, as these traits relate to career awareness and development. School Counsellors are hoping to identify and utilize community resources that can enhance and complement comprehensive school counseling programs and help students become productive members of society.

HUMPTY DUMPTYHUMPTY DUMPTY is raised up at Prospect Preschool is raised up at Prospect Preschool

Kim, Pearman, Preschool Teacher at Prospect Preschool, checks on the progress of Luke Smith and Jaden Talbot;s’ classroom assignment. The class are using nursery rhymes to improve memory and sequencing skills. The students must reassemble cutout squares of the nursery rhyme, Humpty Dumpty, order from small to large. In addition, they must count how many footprints are along the path. This exercise en-hances pre-reading and mathematics skills .

BY ALAINE DAROOYAN—CO-CHAIR

The annual College Fair was held at the Bermuda College on November 30th to December 2nd, 2005. The College fair team secured responses from 51 colleges and universities, which included some of the top ranking institutions.

There were approximately 1000 students in atten-dance from various schools throughout the Is-land - The Berkeley Institute, CedarBridge Acad-emy, Bermuda College students were also in attendance. Mt. Saint Agnes Academy, Warwick Academy, Saltus Grammar, Bermuda High School for Girls and Bermuda Institute, were representa-tive of the private schools during this two-day event. Senior school students were encouraged to circulate, and network with the college repre-sentatives.

Some students came very prepared and asked questions about areas of study, dormitory life, sporting programmes, international student sup-port groups and of course tuition. Quotes that were taken from the student exit survey indicated that many were satisfied with the event such as, “It provided me with more of the information about the schools that offered courses in my career choice”. Other students were quite critical in suggesting ideas for next year’s fair. Some of the suggestions were:

•“More Colleges…more Canadian Colleges”;

•“I would like to see more culinary courses of-

fered”

“More diversity and not just American and Cana-dian colleges and a few West Indian…but include some colleges from Europe!”

Parents were also offered the opportunity to at-tend the fair during the evening to further explore their children’s options and to meet with the col-lege representatives. Many parents flocked to the scholarship booth and specifically asked for deadlines. They were pleased that there were a

great number of institutions represented this year and felt that much of their preliminary work had been accomplished by having the institutes on the Island.

To date school counsellors have reported an estimated 20 young Bermudians have applied to the institutions that were in attendance at the Fair. There has also been an $8,000 scholarship offer from one of the institutions to one of our students who will be attending college in Septem-ber 2006.

2005 COLLEGE FAIR FEEDBACK

Under The Distinguished Dual Patronage of the Premier the Honourable W. Alexander Scott MP.JP and the Opposition Leader the Honourable Wayne L. Furbert MP JP

Danji Productions Presents

A Jazz Supper In Honour of “Shine” Hayward’s 50th Birthday

Saturday February 18, 2006

Fairmount Southampton Princess Mid Atlantic Amphitheatre

Cocktails: 7:00pm Jazz Supper: 8:00pm

Join people worldwide in the global fight against Multiple Sclerosis.

For more information contact: Wendell “Shine” Hayward. tickets are available and are in the stores:

Caesar’s Pharmacy - Somerset Medical House – Mill’s Reach Pembroke Ja’Nauzis – King Street and Front Street (Emporium) Egmont’s – St. Georges

Tickets must be purchased by Friday Feb. 10. Contact numbers: 292-9741 ext. 103 or 104 (Jazz Supper)333-9092. (Happy Hour)

Tel: 292 7356 or 333 9092. Email: shine@northrock.bm Or visit bermudaAgainstMS.com(under construction)

Calendar of Events

GILBERT INSTITUTE February 10th Pre-Valentine Dance

February 21st P.T.A. Executive Meeting 7pm ELLIOT PRIMARY

February 10th & 23rd Cross Country PORT ROYAL

February 22nd Cross Country SOMERSET PRIMARY

February 10th Girls 6-a-side February 11th P5 Assembly

February 24th Mrs. Siese Black History Month MOED

National Counselling Week February 6th -10th 2006

Shine’s Jazz Supper

Ms. Luann E. Wainwright is the newly ap-pointed Education Officer for Enrichment.. She returns to Bermuda from being on sab-batical at the prestigious Johns Hopkins University with dual certifications in Gifted Education and Administration and Supervi-sion of Schools.

Prior to this, Ms. Wainwright has served the Ministry of Education and Development as a Music/Visual Art and Information Technology Teacher for 15years. She has directed the

very talented St. David’s Primary School Choir, which has performed all over the island and toured to the United States in 1994. She began the first primary school marching Drum Corps featuring 21 percussion instruments and a flag troop. The Corps attended the Drum Corps International Championships in 1992.

Ms. Wainwright was awarded the first Music/Visual Art Scale Post, where she worked collaboratively with teachers, and parents conducting professional devel-opment. She has participated in the curriculum writing and implementation proc-ess. Conducted numerous professional development sessions and served as a Mentor teacher in the Wheelock College’s Center for International Education,

Leadership and Innovation Program.

She became an active member of the Bermuda Education Strategic Team (BEST) as the Deputy Head for the High Achievers Taskforce. She also served on the taskforce commissioned by the former, Minister of Education,Mrs. Paula Cox, to develop a plan for the school of Visual and Performing Arts. She has collaboratively taught at Walt Disney World’s, Show choir Camps of America which hosted more than 300 exceptional students from all over the world.

Active in the local community, Ms. Wainwright is the Director of AH! TEMPO, which produces Bermuda’s Premier Show Choir Program for students, ages 10-15. She is a Soprano soloist with the Bermuda Philharmonic, and Artistic Direc-tor of the a cappella group PROCLAIM! She has represented Bermuda as a soloist on two consecutive tours to Europe in 1989 and 1990

The Education Officer for Enrichment works under the direction of the Senior Education Officer for Student Services. Gifted and Talented Education is one of the seven foci of B.E.S.T. In response to one of the action plans emanating from this team, Ms. Wainwright's mantra is to manage the development and implementation of a comprehensive gifted and talented programme for the Gov-ernment schools. This will be a collaborative initiative with school administra-tors, teachers, support staff, parents and students.

Mrs. Denise M. Foggo was recently appointed as an Educa-tion Officer for Special Education. She will be servicing schools in the eastern zone and will also minister the hear-ing, vision, and summer school programs.

Mrs. Foggo has been in the field of education for twenty-nine years. Six years have been in the area of special education administration, fifteen years as a special education teacher and diagnostician (PK-12), and eight years as an elementary

educator. She holds a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (C.A.G.S.) in Educa-tional Administration, a Masters of Education (M.Ed.) in special education, and Bachelor of Science degrees (B.S.) in special education (PK-12) and elementary education (K-6). Mrs. Foggo also has life certification in the above areas and holds specializations in learning disabilities, the moderate/severe/profound multi-disabled, the physically impaired, and as an educator of gifted children.

Mrs. Foggo is a dedicated professional committed to the education of all students in Bermuda. Mrs. Foggo is well versed in the areas of program/curriculum development and management, teacher supervision, inclusionary/co-teaching practices, team building, educational diagnostics, educational research, and conducting professional development training for staff, parents, and other agencies. She returns to the island from Rhode Island and was previously employed by the Ministry from 1979-1981.

Mrs. Foggo has also been a technology instructor at the university level and a tour guide for the Rhode Island Historical Society. She is a colonial re-enactor, an avid reader, writer, traveler, digital photographer, and history buff as well. Other interests of hers include historic preservation of old structures, grant writing, and gardening.

Dr. Leonard Astwood is the Ministry’s newest school psychologist. He currently has responsi-bility for the schools from Gilbert Institute west. He will be based at Dundonald Street.

Dr. Astwood comes to the Ministry from the Family Learning Centre where he was responsi-ble for providing psychotherapy for children and their families, and also for providing assess-ments for adults and children. Dr. Astwood has also worked at the Employee Assistance Pro-gramme of Bermuda, and as a counselor in the school system of Wayland, Massachusetts.

After earning a Bachelors degree in psychology and a Masters degree in counsel-ing psychology, Dr. Astwood earned a doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology.

The mission of the Bermuda Publ ic School system

is to be the 1st choice in education by providing

r igorous and st imulating learning experiences in

safe, responsive environments from which our stu-

dents emerge confident and prepared to compete

and contr ibute local ly and global ly .

NEW APPOINTMENTS

Denise Foggo–Education Officer, Special Education Dr. Leonard Astwood, School Psychologist

Luanne Wainwright– Education Officer, Enrichment

Our New Friends By: Zindziswa Ixchel Kim Swan

Our teacher at St. George’s Prep, Mrs. Tara McKittrick and our after-

school Spanish teacher Senora Angela McKittrick found out about a program called

ISSE (International School to School Experience) which had also taken place at

Harrington Sound School.

The ISSE program says on their website states “The International

School-to-School Experience (ISSE) is a unique international program for elemen-

tary schools that provides for the exchange of thoughts and ideas through face-to-

face contact with children from other countries around the world. It is non-profit,

non-political, and non-religious in nature.”

The children that came to our school from the ISSE program were from

St. Paul’s College in San Jose, Costa Rica. They arrived in Bermuda at 9:45pm on

Wednesday January 11, 2006. The host families, our teachers and the children who

will be going from our school to Costa Rica all went to the airport to greet the chil-

dren. Over the two weeks that they were here, we had lots of fun and we both

learned a lot about each others countries. We learned that San Jose is the capital of

Costa Rica and that Costa Rica is located in Central America. The climate there is

similar to our climate here in Bermuda, excepted it’s a lot warmer there in the win-

ter. At their school, they learn both Spanish and English. I was very surprised at

how well they spoke English.

Housing in Bermuda An Essay by Abigail Baker–

M3-2 Clearwater Middle School The population of homeless poeple in Bermuda is gradu-ally increasing. The reason for this increase is because Bermuda is presently experiencing a housing crisis. Hous-ing in Bermuda is becoming very expensive. Unfortu-nately, everyone is not in a financial position to afford the same living accommodations.

As I read the newspaper on a daily basis, I see that some three bedroom apartments are being rented for $3000 per month. The cost to live in a one bedroom or studio apart-ment can be equally as high. Some people do not have jobs that pay well enough for them to be able to afford these prices. If people cannot afford to pay rent how can they afford to buy a house and pay a mortgage? The only way some people in Bermuda will ever own a house is if they inherit it. Sometimes the pressure of finding suitable living accommodations can put stress on a family because they have bills and other responsibilities. Some citizens in Bermuda opt to live in abandoned buildings and some even become vagabonds!

The Bermuda Government should help to make it easier for Bermudians who work hard to afford homes. They also should provide incentives for people who aspire to buy homes especially those who fall in the lower class group. If all people in Bermuda were able to

Sharneil Paynter, an S4 student at The Berkeley In-stitute has received an $8,000.00 scholarship and an “early decision” acceptance to St. John’s University in New York. Sharneil is an excellent student and a Dep-uty Head Girl and will undoubtedly have several choices to make regarding her post-secondary educa-tion

High Honours Student, Tour Guide, and ranked 5th behind his twin brother Charles, in under 18 tennis, not much ruffles S2 Student George Scraders. He intends to be an architect. In his first year at The Berkeley Institute, he got the opportunity to interview, local ar-chitect, Ian Gordon, from there on, he decided he was going to be one. He says he doesn’t see race or colour, only personality. He’s off to a wonderful start!

Somerset Primary School honoured their boys' football team with a luncheon to celebrate their very successful soccer season. Parents, friends and teachers were invited to fellowship with the team as well. Mr. Clyde Best MBE was the special invited guest. He shared a few words of encouragement with all present.

The boys were very excited to meet and hear from Mr. Best. His words of encour-agement will be an inspiration to all.

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT

PLEASE SUBMIT ALL NEWS ITEMS AND

CALENDARS TO GWOLF@MOED.BM

2006 Annual

Schools Art Show

Jan 30-Feb 17th

City Hall BSOA

‘come to the edge’, he said

They said,’WE are afraid’

‘come to the edge’,he said

They came

He pushed them...and they flew.

Guillaume apollinaire