NBTA NewsNew Brunswick Teachers’ Association

December 7, 2005Vol. XLVIII, No. 4

INSIDE:

4NBTA ProfessionalCourses

Pre-RetirementSeminars 2005-2006

School-Based LearningTeam Grants

Ten Steps to FinancialWellness

Skills forAdministrators 2006

June 2006 Retirees –New Payroll PracticesThat Will Affect You

8-9

Class CompositionGrants Awarded

by Melinda Cook, Director of Curriculum and Finance

13

5

Next Final Copy DeadlineFor NBTA News:

Friday, December 9

20

On November 2nd, the JointAction Committee on ClassroomComposition met to consider thefirst applications for grants from thespecial fund established during thelast round of contract negotiations.This team ofeight teachersstudied eachof thesubmittedapplications,and after some hours of discussionchose to award five grants.

The Committee is well aware thatall members who completeapplications are asking for help inbettering the classroomenvironment. A number ofexcellent applications were receivedfor the $353,000 worth of grantfunding available this year.

Five grants were awarded initially,yet the funds for this year have notbeen entirely depleted. TheCommittee will meet again in earlyDecember to consider newapplications, and to reconsider someof the applications received earlier.Just because applicants were notsuccessful in the first round ofgrants, does not mean they wereunsuccessful.

The successful applicants in thisround of awards formed a diversegroup. Grants were awarded inDistricts 02, 06, 10, and 18. Onegrant was awarded to an elementaryschool, one to a K-8 school, one to a6-12 school, one to a middle school,and one to a high school. Funding

was allocated for 1.5 contract Eteachers – one to work as a literacyspecialist in a high needs middleschool, and one half-time teacher toallow grouping and regrouping of acombined 6/7 class containing 14

SEP students. Twoschools receivedfunding for supplyteachers; one highschool received1.5 supply days

per week for 24 weeks so that smallgroups of 9/10 team members might

The office will close at4:00 p.m. on Friday,December 23, 2005and will re-open at

8:30 a.m. onTuesday, January 3, 2006.

The President, Board ofDirectors, and staff of the

NBTA wish all of ourmembers a warm andhappy holiday season!

Christmas Hours

... several more grants canbe awarded in December.

14

2 NBTA NEWS

meet to prepare modified materialsfor the entire grade 9 and 10students. An elementary schoolreceived a half time supply teacherfrom January to June to provide athird instructor for mathematics andlanguage arts to a group of 61children, 25% of whom haveexceptional needs. Lastly, oneschool was awarded money torun a tutoring program forstudents struggling withmathematics and languagearts in a high needs grade 6class.

Once Districts are able tohire individuals to fill the newlycreated positions, they will providethe Committee with total costs foreach one, and the money will betransferred to the District. Only thenwill the Committee know exactlyhow much money has been spent.(No Committee expenses are being

taken from the fund. TheDepartment of Education is payingfor its members, and all supply daysrequired for committee meetings,and the NBTA is paying for itsnominees.)

At this time, the Committee onlyhas an estimate of how much moneyis remaining in the fund. However,they are confident that several moregrants can be awarded in December,and that in the end, virtually everydollar of the $353, 000 will bedistributed to classrooms.

Please be assured that yourCommittee is working hard for you.They are constantly receiving andreviewing applications, and aredoing their best to discern whichsituations are most dire, and which

ones may best be improved byadditional resources. Please beaware that all partners in thisendeavor are carefullydeliberating, knowing full wellthat the stakes are high forevery applicant. Theapplication process is designedto provide a careful andthoughtful progression to the

distribution of funds.Ultimately, this process should

allow the Committee, on yourbehalf, to direct the distribution ofthe funds wisely. The Committeebelieves that the awarding of thefirst five grants has been anauspicious beginning.

ISSN 0317-5227NBTA News is published ten times ayear. Opinions expressed are those ofthe authors, not necessarily the NBTA.Editor: Jim DysartEditorial Assistant: Loretta ClarkeGraphic Artist: Christy PricePrinted By: NBTF Printing ServicesMember: CEPAAddress all correspondence to:The EditorP.O. Box 752, Fredericton, N.B.E3B 5R6Telephone: (506) 452-8921FAX: (506) 453-9795E-mail: nbtanews@nbnet.nb.caWeb: www.nbta.ca

In order to keep our NBTA members’ database asaccurate as possible, it is important that you advisethe NBTA Communications Department (CarleneMerrick, 452-1833) of any changes such as maritalstatus, home address, school location, phone number,etc., as soon as possible. This is necessary to ensurethat all mailings reach our members and that ournominal roll is up to date for voting purposes. Initial information iscollected on the green registration forms, but changes occur. Many ofthese changes occur during the summer months.

We do not receive this updated information through anyother source, so please keep us informed of any changes.

Thank you for your assistance in helping us serve you better.

Moving? Name Change?Not Getting Your NBTA News?

LET US KNOW!

Just because applicants were notsuccessful in the first round ofgrants, does not mean they wereunsuccessful.

DECEMBER 2005 3

preparing students for assemblies andvarious Remembrance Day relatedcontests or projects.

The above voluntary activities are, ofcourse, in addition to our main job ofteaching, the long hours we spend afterschool and in the evenings, onweekends to plan lessons, complete allmarking, prepare report cards, andconduct parent-teacher interviews.

The truth is that even our normaljob requirements have become quiteoverwhelming. I can distinctlyremember sacrificing sleep and familytime continually, and yet not managingto keep pace with everything that wasrequired of me. I know that I was notalone in feeling this way. A 2005 CTF(Canadian Teachers’ Federation) surveystates that teachers are spending 55.6hours per week on teaching and relatedactivities. This translates into nearly 11-hour workdays for five days a week!

Class composition is a major factorthat has contributed to the increasedworkload. It means preparing multiplelesson plans, tests, documentation, andtracking of behaviors, etc. The Cudmorecase has changed the nature of thedelivery of Methods and Resourceservices in our province. If anything,the main outcome of this case shouldhave been to add sufficient resources,programs and services to meet the needsof our children. Instead, greateremphasis placed on accountability hasresulted in increased workload for us.

Yet another form of giving thatteachers do is spending money out oftheir pockets to supplement classroomresources and the needs of theirstudents. The October 2005 bulletinpublished by CTF states that teachers inAtlantic Canada spend an average of$407.00 annually on classroommaterials or class-related activities.

On your behalf, I have been givingthis message repeatedly to variouspoliticians, key individuals in the Dept.of Education, and the media. I have metwith several key cabinet ministers(education, health, finance, business,etc.) to share our concerns with them. Ihave shared my discussions with thevarious ministers with our NBTA Boardof Directors. I have summarized belowthe message I have been giving —

• Huge under-funding of our system,lack of sufficient resources,programs, and services;

• Out-of-pocket expenses incurred byteachers for supplementingclassroom resources and their ownprofessional development;

• PD days that ought to be integratedwithin the school year;

• Class composition causing verydifficult and challenging teachingsituations;

• The current model of delivery ofresource services is not meeting theneeds of our students adequately;

• Increased workload of teachers;• Teachers need the tools, i.e.,

computers, to do the job they areasked to do increasingly on-line orelectronically;

• The need for our students to havemore hands-on programs, such asPhys. Ed, Fine Arts, Music andvarious vocational programs;

• The need for integration of variousservices – school-based social worker,school nurse, school counselor andschool psychologist, etc., in eachschool.

It is my sincere hope that theMacKay Report would also focus onsimilar issues, as I have outlined above.All of the ministers I have met so farhave assured me that education is amajor priority of our government. I amhopeful that following the MacKayStudy Report we will have theopportunity of working collaborativelywith the government to improve thedelivery of educational services to ourstudents.

My final thought, though, is for you– the champions of giving. ThisChristmas please put yourself first andgive yourself a gift of health. Take acomplete break from school work. Rest,relax and enjoy the fellowship thiswonderful season brings. I wish you andyour families a restful holiday seasonand the best of everything in the NewYear!

Our children are worth it!

Office (506) 452-8921 • FAX (506) 453-9795 • E-mail indu.varma@nb.aibn.com

Indu Varma

President’s Message

The Season for Giving

inston Churchill’s quote isvery befitting for the nature ofgiving associated with theteaching profession. For thecommunity in general,

Christmas time is the time for giving,but for us teachers, giving continuesthroughout the year.

The true spirit of Christmas, as we allknow, is not in giving material gifts, butin caring, sharing, spending time,showing kindness, and spreadinghappiness in the lives we touch. Thistrue spirit of giving is deeply ingrainedin so many things we, as teachers, dovoluntarily.

I recently had a conversation with ateacher following a staff meetingregarding a dozen non-teaching relatedthings added on to his “To do” list. Thisprompted me to focus on how much wegive of ourselves, and yet more is askedof us continually.

We volunteer because we strive to dothe best for our children. To name a fewthings we do voluntarily — re-teachmissed lessons, give extra help, provideguidance and support, plan trips,organize assemblies, coach forcompetitions academic or otherwise,supervise co and extra-curricularactivities, fundraising, wave the flag byattending students’ events, arrangesocial activities, chaperone dances, etc.,etc. Though this is not an all-inclusivelist, many of us do several of these, plusmore on a regular basis.

During the Christmas season, onewould be hard pressed to find a schoolin the province where teachers are notvolunteering their time and services forsome Christmas-related activity. Thiscomes at the heels of RemembranceDay, when teachers just finished

W

“We make a living by what we get,but we make a life by what we give.”

— Winston Churchill

4 NBTA NEWS

DM06WJKF — Designing Motivation for AllLearnersDates: Weekends, Friday (6-9); Saturday (9-4); Jan. 13/14, Jan.27/28, Feb. 10/11, Feb. 24/25Location: George Street Middle School, FrederictonInstructor: Julie KilcollinsDescription: Design learning experiences and developeffective leadership strategies that promote motivation for alllearners. Learn verbal encouragement techniques that reducestudent risk and reinforce student effort. Discover how doingmeaningful work and achieving goals supports all types oflearners.

DM06WPSM — Designing Motivation for AllLearnersDates: Thursday evenings, Jan. 5 - Feb. 23 (5-8), plus 4Saturday mornings - Jan. 7, Jan. 28, Feb. 11 & Feb, 25 (9-12noon)Location: Moncton High SchoolInstructor: Pam SheridanDescription: Same as previous course description

MAGIC06SDOF — Meaningful Activities toGenerate Interesting Classrooms

Dates: Weekends, Friday (6-9); Saturday (8:30-3:00); Apr. 7/8,Apr. 21/22, Apr. 28/29, May 12/13Location: George Street Middle School, FrederictonInstructor: Derek O’BrienDescription: This is an exciting hands-on course that offersteachers opportunities to learn about and acquire a multitudeof engaging activities that go beyond the textbook andworksheet. Participation in over 60 activities will give youpractise in creating, evaluating and adapting ideas to yourown specific curriculum needs.

LR06SKPR — Learning to Read: BeginningReading InstructionDates: Weekends, Friday evenings & Saturdays; April/May —Exact dates TBALocation: Kennebecasis Valley High School, RothesayInstructor: Kathy ProsserDescription: Improve student reading achievement by usinga balanced and integrated approach. Explore the latest readingresearch and connect it to practical strategies to helpstruggling readers. Learn strategies for both decoding andcomprehension. This course will give teachers of all grades abetter understand of how reading can be taught.

NBTA Professional Courses– Winter & Spring –

Below is a partial list of NBTA Professional Courses which will be available in the coming months.

• All courses are applicable to a Certificate 5 (or if you already hold a Masters degree, the courses may be usedtowards a Certificate 6). Courses may be taken also for professional or personal interest.

• Fee for all courses is $375 payable by cheque dated the first day of the course. Make all cheques payable to NBTA.• All courses require 36 hours of instruction. • Full description of each course is available at www.plsweb.com. Click Graduate Courses.• Maximum seats per course: 24 (minimum numbers are required for a course to run).

NBTA Sponsored Professional Course Registration Form

Name:____________________________________________ Current Certificate Level:________________________

Home Address:___________________________________________________________________________________

School:__________________________________________________________________________________________

Phone Number(s): Home:_____________________ School:_____________________ Fax:___________________

E-mail:___________________________________________ Do you check e-mail daily?_______________

Course details:

Course Title:_____________________________________________________________________________________

Course Number:________________ Location:________________ Course Instructor: _________________________

Will you be taking this course for:Certification Credit ________ or Professional Development ________

Do you require any special considerations (access, visual/auditory support etc.)?

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Please mail registration form with $375 payment to:Nancy Roach, Director of Professional Development, NBTA

PO Box 752, Fredericton, NB E3B 5R6

DECEMBER 2005 5

2005-2006 NBTA PRE-RETIREMENT SEMINARSREGISTRATION FORM

Please accept my application to attend the NBTA Pre-Retirement Seminar to be held on (check one):

DATE OF SEMINAR DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION

_____ January 7 - Fredericton, NBTF Building December 16_____ January 21- Miramichi, Dr. Losier Middle School January 13_____ February 4 - Sussex, Sussex High School January 27

Name of Teacher: ___________________________________________________________________ S.I. No. ______________________

Mailing Address: ____________________________________________________________________________Dist. _________________

____________________________________________________________ Name of Spouse (if attending) ________________________(If spouse is a teacher, please fill out a separate form)

No. of pension years you will have accumulated to June 2006 _______________ Certificate Level: ________________

Are you planning to buy back time? ______________ If “yes”, how much time? ________________________________

Do you have Responsibility Allowance? Yes _______ No ________ (If “yes”, contact your payroll officer at your District

Office and have your last 5 years’ salary history faxed to Karen Vautour, 453-9795)

I am enclosing a cheque in the amount of $5.00 / $10.00 (please circle one) to cover the cost of registration; nutrition break,

and materials to be supplied. Please make cheque payable to New Brunswick Teachers’ Association.

II hheerreebbyy aauutthhoorriizzee tthhee NNBBTTAA ttoo oobbttaaiinn iinnffoorrmmaattiioonn ffrroomm tthhee PPuubblliicc SSeerrvviiccee EEmmppllooyyeeee BBeenneeffiittss DDiivviissiioonn ppeerrttaaiinniinnggssppeecciiffiiccaallllyy ttoo mmyy ppeennssiioonnaabbllee sseerrvviiccee rreeccoorrddss.. TThhiiss iinnffoorrmmaattiioonn wwiillll bbee uuttiilliizzeedd ttoo pprreeppaarree mmyy iinnddiivviidduuaall ppeennssiioonneessttiimmaatteess ffoorr rreettiirreemmeenntt ppuurrppoossee oonnllyy..

YES NO Signature: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

The following guidelines should be noted for participation inthese seminars:1. All participants must pre-register.2. A registration fee of $5.00 for each participant must

accompany the application; however, cheques will notbe cashed until after the workshop.

3. Travel and accommodation costs are the responsibilityof the participant.

4. A nutrition break will be provided.5. Questions relating to these seminars should be directed

to: LLaarrrryy JJaammiieessoonnDDiirreeccttoorr ooff TTeeaacchheerr WWeellffaarree SSeerrvviicceessNNeeww BBrruunnsswwiicckk TTeeaacchheerrss’’ AAssssoocciiaattiioonnPP..OO.. BBooxx 775522FFrreeddeerriiccttoonn,, NN..BB.. EE33BB 55RR66 ((TTeell.. 445522--11772222))

6. Any interested teachers are eligible to attend.7. All workshops begin with registration at 8:30 am and

sessions at 9:00 am until 1:00 pm. (Except Bristol, whereregistration will begin at 5:00pm -- Seminar at 5:30pm)

8. Detach and return the registration form as soon aspossible.

PLEASE NOTE: YOU WILL RECEIVE CONFIRMATION WITHIN ONE WEEK OF CONFERENCE.

SEMINAR GUIDELINESPROGRAM• Teachers’ Pension Act• The Canada Pension Plan• Pension Records (will be available at meeting if possible)• Pension Calculations• Old Age Security• Retirement Allowance• Pre-retirement Vacations• Deferred Salary Leave Plans• Financial Planning for Retirement:

- RRSPs- Annuities- Registered Retirement Income Funds

• Individual Consultations

� �

6 NBTA NEWS

By Nancy RoachDirector of Professional Development

roachn@nbnet.nb.ca

Every job has ‘moments’…thosetimes that you know you are luckyto be doing something you love, andwhen it just feels right. Beforetaking this position with the NBTA,my ‘moments’ were always with mystudents. Now, these momentsusually come during conversationsor encounters with teachers.

The phone rang at my homelast Sunday afternoon and anenthusiastic voice began,“Nancy, I am so pumped! I justgot back from the NationalMiddle Level Conference and Ijust had to tell you about it.”My friend, a mid-career teacher,proceeded to share herexcitement about the learningshe had encountered and theplans she was making toimplement some of the ideasshe had been exposed to.

“I know one thing I amgoing to do immediately,” sheenthused. “Those kids aregoing to get up and move in myclass…every twenty minutesyoung adolescents need to move andtalk, even if its just a Think, Pair,Share. “You know,” she went on, “Ireally didn’t know much about thebrain stuff, but now …”

I loved listening to this teacher,already a strong passionateprofessional, as she talked eagerlyabout how she was planning tomake her teaching more effective bybuilding on her new knowledgebase.

I had another moment when Ihad the good fortune to visit a classat a local high school where theteacher, this time an early careerprofessional, had orchestrated avideo conference with her on-lineSpanish class (see the article in thisissue for details of this project). I satmesmerized as the teacher, wearing

her headset and seated in front ofnot one, not two, but threecomputer screens, facilitated thevideo conference between studentsin 6 different high schools in NewBrunswick, a researcher in Scotlandand a high school class in Bogota,Columbia. The students had workedvia an on-line blog to prepare theprogram which they presented (inSpanish, of course) to their newfriends in South America. Theteacher communicated with them

through video, Instant Messengerand email, while the conference wastaking place, as well as via IM on herthird computer with the technicalsupport people who were helpingmake the event happen.

For two hours, the students weretotally engaged in their newlanguage skills, and I observed akind of teaching that was unlikeanything I had ever experienced.The teacher, speaking after the‘lesson’, shared her excitement aboutthe format, and I later heard fromher students who were equallyenthusiastic. They certainly didn’tneed to ask why they were learningSpanish!

My final moment came at the endof a half-day workshop with a highschool staff on Assessment for

Learning. I have been working withthe staff and sharing some of theresearch about assessment strategiesthat encourage learning. That day’sworkshop dealt with the effectiveuse of rubrics.

The teacher stayed behind toquestion me about something I hadsaid related to group grades. (Shewas looking for ways to eliminatethe group grade without eliminatingthe group work). Her thoughtfulinquiry had no easy answer and I felt

challenged to find moreinformation for her. Her realexcitement, however, camewhen she told me about a newmethod she was using to teachFSL. “It is amazing,” she said,“how much these kids havelearned using this method. Theexperts have finally learned howto teach French SecondLanguage effectively, and I wasfortunate enough to take thecourse to learn how to use thismethod. It is awesome to seehow fast the kids are picking itup and gaining confidence.What I really hope to do is domy Masters with this sort ofresearch…”

These three experiences weremeaningful to me, not just becauseof the teachers’ enthusiasm, but alsobecause they speak about theevolution of teaching. It is not andcan never be a static profession.These three teachers (and there arehundreds of you out there) arefinding ways to hone their craft, totake advantage of the newestknowledge about teaching andlearning and/or the technologies tosupport it. Then they are puttingtheir own stamp on it. They arecreating classrooms that are active,where students are engaged, wherethe learning is relevant and wherekids are experiencing success,because of the efforts of theirteachers.

Tomorrow’s classrooms will hold

PPoottppoouurrrriiP.D.Fanning the Flame

“We do not remember days, we remember moments.” —Cesar Pavese

vestiges of the classrooms ofyesterday…caring teachers who arepassionate about their work, but weknow that these classrooms need tobe and will be vastly different.Whether it is new technology, ornew teaching strategies, or newmodels of class compositions, or newapproaches to assessment, we willteach more effectively because weknow more about the research andwe are not afraid to embrace changeand take risks.

I get excited when teachers getexcited and teachers get excitedwhen they try new things. Whenteachers are excited about theirwork, everyone wins. Remember theold adage about the lamp and theflame… A lamp cannot light anotherflame unless it continues to burn itsown flame. Find the fuel for yourflame….and light mine by letting meknow about it.

Teaming: How are We Doing?Many schools are working

towards developing effective teamsand the challenge involves muchmore than just finding time forpeople to be together. Tools ForSchools (Vol. 9 Nov/Dec 2005) is aresource supplement prepared by theNational Staff Development Council.The author has created a greatsummary of some of the researcharound the formation of teams Anadded bonus is a terrificquestionnaire titled What Stage isYour Team In? Teams can scorethemselves and the ensuingdiscussion can only help with thecommunication of the members.

Literacy ProjectsThe ever-present challenge of

creating meaningful ways forstudents to see the importance ofliteracy skills is dealt with in twointeresting articles. Both revealprojects undertaken by real teachers.Reading Stories to Change theWorld (Principal LeadershipOctober 2005) details the manybenefits of a project that involved at-risk adolescents in reading toyounger students. It even provides alist of the books used in the projecttitled Violence Prevention ThroughCooperative Learning. Students and

Writing: Sharing Pieces ofThemselves (Middle GroundOctober 2005) is another projectwhere the teacher creates a realpurpose for her students to write —the publication of their own stories.Easy ideas to copy in yourclassrooms.

Basics of BloggingWhile you may not be familiar

with the ins and outs of blogging, Iam betting most of your studentsare. Principal (November/December 2005) has the low-downin the short article called The Basicsof Blogging. It even provides links towebsites that make it easy to set upblogs which can become effectivecommunication tools.

InterventionsIt seems that intervention has

become one of the current buzzwords of education ...earlyinterventions, literacyinterventions…getting the help tothe kids who need it, when theyneed it. I enjoyed the ideasgenerated in two articles related tothis theme. Successful Intervention:It Takes Time (Principal Nov/Dec2005) offers outlines of a number ofprograms that school districts haveput in place to intervene withstudents who are not experiencingacademic success. These models arealternatives to retention and canprovide food for thought for thoseschools/districts who are looking forways to help the struggling learners.

Intervention Strategies forStudents with ADHD (Principal,same issue) offers a nice summary ofsome of the characteristics,interventions and alternatives forworking with these students. Whilenot as detailed as teachers mightlike, this is a good overview pieceand would be useful to share withparents as well.

Looping for Long-Term SuccessThe article bearing this title

(Middle Ground October 2005) willbe of interest to any teachers/schools who are using or consideringusing looping. The author sharesher real school experience.

LGBT YouthA very powerful article I read in

the November Middle SchoolJournal reminds teachers to “Let UsNot Forget to Support LGBT Youthin the Middle School Years.” Theresearch indicates that many youthare struggling with their sexualorientation as early as Middle Schooland the caring and insightful actionsof their teachers can make anenormous difference in how gay andlesbian youth cope with these years.I really think every teacher fromgrade 6 through 12 should read thisarticle…I wish I could go back anddo things differently for some of myformer students based on what theauthor has to say. Kids’ lives maydepend on how you, their teacher,handle the harassment they receivein the school setting.

Hands-On ScienceAlas, I am not a Science person. I

am in awe of those teachers who canmake this subject come alive forstudents…maybe if I had beentaught by some of you, I would haveshared your love of the subject. I didlove, however, the great article calledWhat K-8 Principals Should KnowAbout Hands-On Science (PrincipalNov/Dec 2005). I would suggest itwould make good reading forteachers and administrators alike.

Happy HolidaysIt is a constant

source ofamazement to methat time can passso quickly. I wishfor each of you thehappiest holidayseason filled withlaughter, rest,friends, family andpeace.

Closing Quote:Coming together is a beginning;

keeping together is progress; workingtogether is success.

— Henry Ford

DECEMBER 2005 7

(PD Potpourri continued...)

8 NBTA NEWS

� What is a School-BasedLearning Team?A School-Based Learning Team(SBLT) is a team of 3-5 teachers froma school who decide to worktogether to examine some aspect ofstudent learning with the goal ofstudying, collaborating, sharing andlearning to improve instructionalstrategies that will lead to improvedstudent achievement.

� Can you give me an exampleof what a SBLT might attemptto accomplish under thisprogram?An Elementary Team mightdetermine, by examining theirschool achievement data and theirstudents’ performance, that theirstudents seem weak in the area ofmeasurement. The team might worktowards identifying/developingstrategies to improve this area ofstudent learning. The teachersmight try various teachingtechniques, learning from oneanother or experts, and continue tocompare the progress of theirstudents as a result of the efforts ofthe Learning Team. Likewise aMiddle School Learning Team mightrecognize that their students areweak in poetry ; a High School MathTeam might decide to focus onimproving their students applicationof geometric principles.

� What is a School-BasedLearning Team Grant?A SBLT Grant is a $1000 grant thatwill be awarded to a school uponsuccessful application to the NBTACommittee established to administerthe grant fund. The focus must bestudent learning.

� What is the Purpose of thegrant?The grant is intended to support thework of the Learning Team. Suchsupport may include providing somerelease time for the team to meet,purchasing resources to support theefforts of the team, accessing

expertise in the form of resourcepeople.

� How often should the teammeet?The SBLT grant extends from thecalendar year January to December2006. The team is required to meet aminimum of 18 hours throughoutthe year for which the grant hasbeen awarded. Team membersdetermine when the meetings willtake place.

� How is a SBLT different froma study group?In many ways the SBLT hassimilarities to a study group in thatteachers are working together togrow and learn. However, theLearning Team must focus on an aspectof student achievement and worktowards improving the achievementlevels of their students in that area.Actually examining student work isan important part of a LearningTeam.

� Will there be any help forthe SBLT to get started?Yes. Nancy Roach, Director ofProfessional Development for theNBTA will meet with each LearningTeam to help them launch theirwork. A template for recording thework of the team will be providedand protocols for examining studentwork will be introduced. Theseguidelines are intended to provide aframework for both accountabilityand productivity but will not restrictthe direction and creativity of theteam.

� How many grants will beavailable?For the calendar year January ‘06 –December ‘06, there will be five$1000 grants available.

� How does my school apply?Complete the application formaccompanying this article or foundon the NBTA website(www.nbta.ca). A school maysubmit more than one applicationprovided the guidelines above arerepresented in each application.Deadline for applications isDecember 10, 2005. Successfulapplicants will be notified byJanuary 10, 2006.

� Why should my schoolconsider creating a School-Based Learning Team?All teachers strive to do their best,but so much more can beaccomplished if teachers can worktogether, share strategies andimprove their instructionaltechniques. Students and teachers allbenefit. In a true learningcommunity, everyone learns. ASchool-Based Learning Team is onemore step toward the creation ofsuch a learning community.

The guiding question of a SchoolBased-Learning Team is:"What is happening differently inour classrooms as a result of whatwe are doing and learning in ourTeam?"

See www.nbta.ca for anarticle highlighting previous

years’ results.

See application onfollowing page.

School-Based Learning Teams GrantsIn a true Learning Community, everyone learns.

$1000 Grant for yourSchool to Support

Student and TeacherLearning

DECEMBER 2005 9

NBTA School-Based Learning Team GrantApplication Form

School__________________________________________________________________________________________________

School Address___________________________________________________________________________________________

School Phone _______________ Fax _______________ Name of Team Contact Person ____________________________

Title of Your Team’s Project: ______________________________________________________________________________

Please complete the following after carefully reading the information about School-Based LearningTeams that accompanies this form. Feel free to attach additional pages.

What aspect of student learning will be the focus of this Learning Team?

How and why did your team determine the need for this focus?

How will the team monitor the impact of your efforts on your students?

Who are the members of your School-Based Learning Team? Indicate their teaching assignment within the school?

Comment on the schedule your team will develop for completing the minimum 18 hours of meeting time for your teambetween January and December.

Please add any other comments which you feel are relevant to your application.

Send completed application form to: Nancy Roach, Director of Professional Development, NBTAPO Box 752, Fredericton, NB E3B 5R6

DDeeaaddlliinnee ffoorr aapppplliiccaattiioonnss:: DDeecceemmbbeerr 1100,, 22000055

Successful schools will be notified by January 10, 2006. An NBTA Committee will base selection on factors including thethoughtful development of the application form, distribution of various levels (K-12) and geographic considerations.

10 NBTA NEWS

Wow! Can you believe Decemberis upon us? Reports are done, parentteacher interviews are out of theway, and we are getting ready toenter the Christmas season. Nextcomes Christmas concerts and thegrowing excitement in our student’seyes as the holidays approach. I trustyou all had a productive fall, and arelooking forward to your much-deserved Christmas break!

Your Elementary Council metduring the weekend of Dec. 2/3 inSackville to plan and prepare forCouncil Day 2006. We were busy“checking our lists” to ensure thingswill be up and running smoothly fornext May. We toured the MountAllison campus and searched out thevenues (once again) for our speakers,lunch, accommodations, and oursocial. The good news is we won’tneed as many buildings this timeround because there are no smallsessions (unlike the last time wewere there). We look forward to thisyear’s Council Day as we reflectupon favourite speakers of yearspast. Stay tuned for a list ofpresenters in the near future.

We are pleased to bring to you areport (boxed) from a group ofteachers who attended a conferencein May 2004. As promised earlierthis year, we look forward to postingcomments from members who havereceived funding from theElementary Council to help withtheir conference in the News. Thereis nothing more rewarding then tohear from teachers who are excitedabout a worthwhile conference theywere fortunate enough to attend,and sharing that with others is key.Remember, we have increased ourbudget to twenty thousand dollarsthis year (due to a surplus from lastyears’s Combined CouncilConference) for educational grants,so if there is a conference thatsounds appealing, and you haven’tapplied for a grant in the past fouryears, it could be an opportunity for

you.On behalf of myself and the

entire Elementary CouncilCommittee, we would like to extendour warmest wishes for a wonderfulholiday. Take time to enjoy the

beauty of the season as you spendtime with family and friends. HappyHolidays!

Kim SillikerElementary Council Committee

Elementary Council News

Councils Column

December “Tidbits”

Every teacher should have anopportunity to attend at least one ofthese conventions! The 49th Annualconvention of the “InternationalReading Association” was held May2-6, 2004 in Reno-Tahoe, Nevada.We were among 25,000 participantswho attended and the experiencewas far richer than one can imagine.At this convention, multiple strandsoffered something of interest toeveryone — sessions focusing onpre-school, early literacy, connectingreading and writing, family literacy,role of the reading specialist,standards and assessment, just toname a few.

Keynote guest speaker, HenryWinkler, television and filmcelebrity, award-winning producerand director of family and children’sprogramming, and now a popularchildren’s book author (Hank Zipzer:The World’s Most Amazing Under-Achiever), presented a heartwrenching story of his owndisability and the struggles toachieve. Some of the over 600presentations we attended included:Miriam Trehearne and ChristineGordon (Phonological andPhonemic Awareness), Marie Clay(Reading Recovery), Joy Crowley(The Joy of Reading), Tony Stead (IsThat a Fact?), Fountas and Pinnell

(Guided Reading with StrugglingReaders), Karen Bromley (RethinkingVocabulary Instruction), CarolynMorgan (Using Fluency Activities toImprove Reading).

Two of the highlights of theconvention were lunch with RobertMunsch and the Gala Night. Onhand at the convention were over1000 exhibitors, providing lots ofinformation to bring back to theDistrict. The overall organizationwas excellent. We were soencouraged as we heard presenters— it reaffirmed what was alreadybeing established in District 10.

Upon our return, we presented toDistrict literacy teachers andclassroom teachers at the 5-2 levels.We would like to take thisopportunity to thank District 10,local NBTA, and NBTA/Departmentof Education Provincial Grant whoprovided us with some of thenecessary funding. We encourageothers to attend such conventions,which inspire and enrich yourprofessional and personal life!

Colleen WinchesterSt. Stephen Elementary School

Parry SmithMilltown Elementary School

Mary HooperLiteracy Mentor District 10

District 10 Teachers & Literacy MentorAttend Annual “International Reading

Association Convention”

A teacher effects eternity; he cannever tell where his influence stops.

— Henry Adams

all, you will find valuableinformation such as the forms youneed to nominate your fellowteachers for the High School Council

TeacherRecognitionAwards (10Awards arepresented eachyear at the Mayconference).Secondly, you willfind the formsyou need to applyfor PD and HighSchool Councilgrants to attendconferences inCanada and allover the world.

Finally, you will soon find all of theupdated registration and programinformation for the upcoming MayCouncil Day, as well as forupcoming institutes.

Your High School CouncilExecutive will be having its third

this year. The agenda was packedwith items concerning High SchoolCouncil Day, teacher professionaldevelopment and curriculumassistance. In my next article I willbe providingdetails regardingHigh SchoolCouncilregistration(expect apositive changeto beannouncedregardingregistration),the Thursdayevening socialevent, and howto register forupcoming institutes and professionaldevelopment opportunities.

I would like to conclude thisarticle by discussing a few reasons tovisit the NBTA website, andespecially the High School Councillink on the NBTA website. First of

Superior Middle School staff ishosting the May 5, 2006 MiddleLevel Council Day in Bathurst. Todate we have had many teachers andnon-teaching speakers volunteer topresent on this date. Those of youwho did volunteer should havereceived a speaker registration form.

We are planning to have a keynoteand three divided sessions so the dayshould be quite practical for allteachers.

For those interested in attending,there will be festivities on theevening of May 4 at the main hotel— Atlantic Host. If you are calling to

register, please let them know youare with the Council and you willget a discount. We have also bookeda block of rooms at the Lakeview Innand Suites.

Hope to see you there,Kathy Grebenc

Middle Level Council Day Chair

DECEMBER 2005 11

Middle Level Council News

High School Council NewsCOUNCIL

HIGH SCHOOL

NBTA

Middle Level Council Update…

NBTA Middle Level Counci l – Cal l for Presenters

Council Day, May 5, 2006 — Bathurst• Do you have an idea or suggestion for a topic, speaker or a divided session?

• Would you like to present a session at our Council Day?

Contact: kathy.grebenc@nbed.nb.ca

December ishere! Exams arejust around thecorner and thisyear’s High SchoolCouncil (May 5that BerniceMacNaughtonHigh School,Moncton) is

approaching rapidly. The requests topresent at Council Day are reallystarting to pour in. Anybody whowould like to share unique ideasfrom his or her classroom, school, orfrom a conference that he or she hasattended is encouraged to contactme (derek.taggart@nbed.nb.ca),our Program Chair, Shane Hoyt,(shane.hoyt@nbed.nb.ca ), or anyother member of the CouncilExecutive. Remember, it is never tooearly to think about booking yourhotel room in Moncton!

By the time you read this article,your High School Council Executivewill have met for the second time

President's Message• High School Council •

Derek Taggart

12 NBTA NEWS

meeting during the evening ofFriday, February 3rd and themorning of Saturday, February 4th,to discuss new business and plan forMay 5th and the upcominginstitutes. If you ever have anyitems you would like to see includedon an agenda for these meetings,please do not hesitate to contact any

of your High School CouncilExecutive members.

I would also encourage all of youto take the opportunity to bragabout the great things that arehappening in your schools. If youhave any item throughout the yearthat you think would be interestingfor other Council members to read

about, contact Nancy Vessie(nancy.vessie@nbed.nb.ca) and shewill make sure that it gets publishedin the NBTA News.

On behalf of the High SchoolCouncil Executive, I wish you all ofthe best for the upcoming holidayseason! Rest and relax with familyand friends – you all deserve it!

Teacher Recognition AwardsIn the series of Teacher

Recognition Awards, we have twograde nine English teachers. JillBeaulieu is presently teaching atSussex Regional High School. Shehas taught there for the last nineyears; previously she taught atSussex Junior High where she taughtSocial Studies. Jill has been teachingfor 31 years.

Jill says that she loves teaching 14year-old students; I must say that shemust be a very patient person. Jillhas never sought to move fromgrade nine. Her social activitiesinclude Teacher WellnessCommittee. Maybe this is the secretto Jill’s calm demeanor whenworking with all those energetic

adolescents.Jill has been the Director for

NBTA Branch 0618. She is also aninstructor for an NBTA sponsoredcourse “ Designing Motivation ForAll Learners ”.

She says that she has always beenpassionate about ProfessionalDevelopment and working with newteachers. With Jill’s positive attitudeshe would be a great mentor. Herhobbies include gardening, paintingand travel.

Karen Currie is teaching Englishat the grade 9 level at BerniceMacNaughton High School inMoncton. She has taught for 24years in both Dieppe and Riverview.Besides teaching English, she has

taught French and Social Studies atdifferent levels and in differentschools. Her favorite subjects areboth English and Social Studies atthe high school level. Herextracurricular activities includeReach For The Top, ISCF, andRemembrance Day Ceremonies.

Outside the school scene, Karen isinvolved in Operation ChristmasChild and Drama. She is a SundaySchool Teacher and ChurchOrganist. Her interests/hobbiesinclude her family, music,gardening, cross-stitching, andreading.

Karen is married with two adultchildren — James and Heather.

Submitted by Nancy K Vessie

Jill Beaulieu (l) and Karen Currie (r) receive their awards from Randy Hunter, 2004-2005 High SchoolCouncil President.

DECEMBER 2005 13

Ten Steps to Financial Wellness( Financial Planning For Beginners )

REGISTRATION FORM* Ten Steps to Financial Wellness *

Please accept my application to attend the Ten Steps to Financial Wellness Seminar to be held on (check one):

Date of Seminar Deadline for Registration Location______ January 17 – Miramichi December 23 Lakeview Inns (Newcastle)

______ January 26 – Fredericton January 12 NBTF Building

______ January 31 – Sussex January 16 Amsterdam Inn

______ February 21 – St. Stephen February 6 Board Office (St. Stephen)

Name of Teacher _______________________________________________________________________ District ___________

Mailing Address ____________________________________________________________________________________________

Name of Guest __________________________________________________________ Contact Number ___________________

I am enclosing a cheque (payable to NBTA) in the amount of $ __________ to cover the cost of the nutrition break and materials.

Signature ________________________________________________________________ Date ____________________________

$$$ $$$

Date of Seminar Deadline for Registration

January 17 – Miramichi December 23

January 26 – Fredericton January 12

January 31 – Sussex January 16

February 21 – St. Stephen February 6

Topics Include:* Debt Reduction * Insurance Needs * Teachers’ Pension * Savings

The following guidelines should be noted for participation in these seminars:

1. All participants must pre-register.

2. A registration fee of $5.00 for each participant must accompany the application; however, cheques will not be cashed until

after the workshop.

3. Travel and accommodation costs are the responsibility of the participant.

4. Questions relating to these seminars should be directed to:

Melinda Cook

Director of Curriculum and Finance

New Brunswick Teachers’ Association

P.O. Box 752, Fredericton, NB E3B 5R6 (Tel. 452-1739)

E-mail: cookm@nb.aibn.com

5. Any interested teachers and guests are eligible to attend.

6. All workshops run from 6:30pm - 9:00pm.

7. Detach and return the registration form as soon as possible.

$$$ $$$

14 NBTA NEWS

On November 2, 2005, a uniquelearning opportunity was part of theGrade 12 Distance EducationSpanish class taught by FrederictonHigh School teacher, ChantalLafargue.

Using basic webcam and freesoftware, Chantal facilitated afascinating on-line video conferencewith students from schoolsthroughout New Brunswick.Students participated from JohnCaldwell School (Grand Falls),Bernice MacNaughton School,(Moncton), Harvey High School, LeoHayes High (Fredericton), James M.Hill (Miramichi), Caledonia HighSchool (Hillsborough), CambridgeNarrows High and Bathurst HighSchool.

Not only did these studentsengage in Spanish conversation witheach other and their teacher, theyalso communicated with a class ofstudents in Bogotá, Columbia as wellas with a researcher from theUniversity of Dundee, Scotland.

The conference was part of TheStory Telling Forum, a research projectwhere students use technology andstorytelling to enhance their literacyskills. Currently more than 600students are participating in theproject. Students write, publish andread their stories to peers in otherparts of the world by using theworld-wide web as their forum.Password protected blogs provide amedium for reflective thinking,creative sharing, increasedtechnology skills and in the case ofthe Spanish class, the chance to use

their newlyacquiredlanguage skillsfor realcommunication.

Each studentshared a story ora song inSpanish whiletheir new friendsin Columbialistened andthen askedquestions. TheColumbianstudentsperformedseveral Spanishdances andsongs, much tothe delight ofthe students.The teacher,using three dedicated computers,managed the video conference,communicated via InstantMessenger, emailed as required andresponded with both encouragementand calm when the occasionaltechnological glitch ensued. Shegave new definition to the term‘multi tasking’.

Students reacted favorably afterthe event:

“It was a really good experience...thenext best thing to visiting Columbiastudents in real life...I think that it allwent extremely well.”

“I enjoyed it very, very much andreally hope this will happen again! In a

world of technologies like ours, there'snothing like somebody who loves toteach to make us love to learn;therefore, I want to thank Srt Lafarguefor all the effort, phone calls and timeshe has put into this! Gracias por todos!Thanks also to the other students formaking your participation and mineworth every second!”

Collaborators on the researchproject include New BrunswickDepartment of Education – E-Learning, University of NewBrunswick - Faculty of Education,University of Dundee - Division ofApplied Computing, University ofBogotá and the Dundee CityDepartment of Education .

Exciting Teaching and Learning Opportunityfor Spanish Students

Chantal Lafargue, Fredericton High School teacher,facilitated an on-line video conference using awebcam and free software. Communication involvedschools within the province, as well as in Columbiaand Scotland.

Skills For Administrators 2006– Assessment FOR Learning: What Instructional LeadersNeed to Know (January 31 & February 1, 2006)

– Share the Wisdom: A Workshop for Early CareerAdministrators (March 15 & 16, 2006)

– Leadership at Work Revisited (April 24, 2006)

– Brain-Based Instruction: What Should It Look Like inYOUR School (May 2 & 3, 2006)

To find out more information and to register, please see the Skills for Administratorsbrochure that accompanied this NBTA News, or go to the website www.nbta.ca

DECEMBER 2005 15

daptability and a willingnessto accept new challengeswithout wavering can describetoday’s student.

Those descriptions can also beapplied to Sharon Rich.

The new dean of education at theUniversity of New Brunswick inFredericton has not stoppedlearning, meeting challenges andfiguring out just how to get aroundcampus and the City of Frederictonsince landing here.

Talk about a whirlwindintroduction following her arrival atUNBF from the University ofWestern in London, ON.

“I was still teaching at Western upuntil Aug. 19 and I packed Aug. 20,”said Dr. Rich. “On the 22nd, thetruck left Ontario with all myfurniture and I hit the road forFredericton on the 23rd. When I gothere, I didn’t have any furniture inmy house so I came right to work. Ifigured I may as well get started.”

Thankfully the frenetic pace hasslowed somewhat in terms ofstraightening out everyday life.

She’s still adapting to her newrole as dean, however.

“The learning curve has beensteep, but the faculty and staff herehave been fabulous,” Dr. Rich said.“They’re all willing to help me findwhich end is up.”

How the former associateprofessor and chair of continuingeducation at Western’s Faculty ofEducation arrived at UNBF is aninteresting story.

Her husband, Michael, was abiology professor at Western whohad been coming to New Brunswicksince 1970, the bulk of his researchat the Huntsman Marine ScienceCentre in St. Andrews. In fact, thecouple purchased vacation propertyin Charlotte County and wasmaking a habit of spendingsummertime in New Brunswick.

“Our long-term plan was to stayin New Brunswick and then thedean’s job came up at UNB,” shesaid. “Michael is on administrativeleave and retires at the end of June,so things couldn’t have worked out

better. It was sooner than weanticipated, but the move was fasttracked after a successfulapplication.”

As the new dean of education,there’s a lot at stake in thecontinuing evolution of educators.

Dr. Rich has an extensivebackground in building a teamenvironment toward a common goalof enriching programs. She helpedWestern become a recognizedOntario leader in development andprovision of online learning coursesfor teachers. She was also activewithin the Ontario Ministry ofEducation and the Ontario Collegeof Teachers to lobby for programsteachers insisted were instrumentalin learning.

She has already sat down with theNew Brunswick Department ofEducation, the New BrunswickTeacher’s Association and otherswith education at the forefront oftheir efforts.

“I am getting to know theeducation system in New Brunswickand it didn’t take long to know theeducators want bridges andpartnerships built to make it betterfor all of us involved,” Dr. Rich said.“We’re in an exciting time foreducation, but it’s also a difficulttime. There are issues surroundingaccountability and testing levels.New Brunswick has to pay attentionto its students and keep them fromleaving the province.”

Dr. Rich has already beenimpressed with what she believes isan innovative faculty of education atUNBF.

The in-house day care centre,second language learning and depthof faculty research she has witnessedonly enhances her desire to helpUNBF evolve.

“My history shows I’minnovative, but I really do want thefaculty of education to have a highprofile,” she said. “The role of aneducator is to help young students,but it’s not only teaching. If youonly teach, you won’t last or beeffective. Teachers have to figure outhow to learn and how to adapt to

become co-learners. How do wemulti-task? How do we learn a newfield? Those are some of thechallenges for educators. As ateacher, we demonstrate and modelall the time. Our graduates have tobe models of learning. We want ourteachers to be excited and thatmeans they can’t stop learning.”

Changing with the times issomething all universities are copingwith in this highly technologicalworld.

That’s where Dr. Rich’s strengthin innovation will be put to a test asshe continues to evolve the facultyof education to meet an ever-changing globe.

Certainly the research ofprofessors is critical and can be anindividualistic pursuit, but Dr. Rich’sstamp is collaboration throughinnovation.

She doesn’t mind saying she’s ateam player.

“In the academic world you’rerewarded for being rugged andindividualistic for all of yourcompetitions,” she said. “We’re nowfinding out that funding for researchisn’t being considered unless there’scollaboration. We need to developcollaborative skills to move theplanet forward. How can we channelall those hopes and dreams? Wehave to listen to start.” UNB Fredericton News Release: D370

Sharon Rich Jumps into UNBF Dean of Education Role

Sharon Rich

A

16 NBTA NEWS

hanks to one teacher at BathMiddle School, the schoolpopulation has grown by 6 inrecent weeks. Webster, Saulis,

Evaca, Avaca, Annica, Veronica andJulia are dolls that closely resemblereal babies. The teaching staff hasbeen amazed at the frenzy thesedolls have caused.

At the middle level we work withstudents caught between being achild and a teenager and where peersand media are most often the biggestinfluences. Too often our studentsare forced to grow up quickly andleave imaginative play, toys anddolls behind before they arepsychologically ready. Thanks toteacher Marsha Cougle, our studentshave been brought back to the daysof innocent play.

The phenomena she has caused,and the students most interested inthe dolls, has provided us with dailylaughs and surprises. After weeks ofstudents rushing to the staff roomdoor as soon as they got to schooland asking for a baby to have for theday, it was decided a more equitableand less chaotic system needed to beput in place. The Bath Middle Schoolnursery was officially opened onNovember 1st and a schedule postedin which students could sign up fora baby one half-day a week. Babiescould only be picked up from thenursery (staff room) between 8:10 –8:20 am and had to be returned by

11:30. After muchneeded rest for thedolls, the afternoongroup was able topick up their babyat 11:40am.

One teacherrecounts the storyof entering herclassroom afternutrition break tofind a grade 7 boywith his sweaterspread neatly overhis desk, the babylaying on top of itwith its sleeperundone…he was changing Webster’sdiaper. Another day we were greatlyamused to look out the window atnoon and see a “cool”, imageconscious grade 8 boy holding ababy ever so carefully in one armand playing basketball with theother.

Wanting to get in on the fun too,each teacher recently signed up tohave a baby for a half-day. Manycomplaints of neglect and abusewere filed by students, and rightlyso, as one teacher left his babyabandoned on his desk over thenoon hour; another was seencarrying the baby improperly; andthe administrator paid a student tobaby-sit his baby.

The simple act of having one dollfor students to hold while in

Marsha’s class has snowballed into alearning experience for manystudents at BMS that none of uscould have predicted. The caringnature of these students and theknowledge of how to hold and carefor a baby are being taught amongstpeers. Teachers appreciative of theneed for these students to be“children” a little bit longer has ledto bassinets being set up inclassrooms for the babies to sleep inwhile “academic” learning is takingplace.

No one can predict how long thiswill continue, but for now we are allthankful for the bit of childhoodbrought back to our ‘stuck in themiddle” students.

Katie SaundersBath Middle School

Bath Middle School Nursery Officially Opens

T

Science East School ProgramsLocated in the former York County Jail, Fredericton, the Science Centre is

home to more than 100 interactive exhibits. Each exhibit has a bilinguallabel which provides brief directions and descriptions. All programs arealigned with the specific curriculum outcomes of the New Brunswick ScienceCurriculum.

Science East has three tours that travel around the province: anelementary tour, a middle school tour, and a high school tour. Each tourcomprises numerous hands-on exhibits that develop problem-solving skillsand an awareness of sciences. The tour can be borrowed free of charge for a2-4 week period.

Pick up some tricks and treasures for teaching science in your class!Science East offers various professional development workshops for teachers,with an assortment of topics and durations available.

For further information, contact: Science East,668 Brunswick St., Fredericton, N.B. E3B 1H6,Tel. 457-2340, science@scienceeast.nb.ca

Teaching Assistance

www.scienceeast.nb.ca 506-457-2340

Ask about o programsur free

DECEMBER 2005 17

At Johnson Inc., our service staff offer“best friend” advice on all of your homeand auto insurance inquiries.

For a home and/or auto insurance quote,call or visit us online today.

When requesting your quote, pleaseidentify yourself as a NBTF Member andprovide your Group ID Code: 63.

1.800.563.0677 or www.johnson.ca/nbtf

A relationship you can trust.

Paid Advertisement

26th Annual NBTAMen Teachers'

Curling Bonspiel

Carleton Curling Club,Saint John, N.B.

January 20, 21, 22, 2006

Registration:$120.00 per team

Not more than 24 teams will be acceptedon a first-come, first-served basis. Entries

must include skip's name, address,telephone number, and team members.

(If you want to participate, but aren't ona team, contact Terry)

Send entries and cheque to:Terry Kilfoil, Chairperson,

NBTA Men Teachers' CurlingBonspiel,

21 Meadow Drive, Rothesay, N.B. E2H 1K9,

Tel: 847-5429, Fax: 847-5424email: kilfoilt@nbnet.nb.ca

Based on the principle thathaving fun at school makes learningeasier, the S'Cool Life Fund aims toturn the public non-tuitionelementary school experience into aricher one for kids. The fundsupports local initiatives in schoolsacross Canada, allowing elementarystudents to enjoy activities beyondacademics such as drama,recreational and extracurricularactivities, arts, music and sports.

The S'Cool Life Fund is theinnovation of John I. Bitove and issupported by Priszm CanadianIncome Fund, Canadian Satellite

Radio, and Scott's Real EstateInvestment Trust. Throughout 2006,the S'Cool Life Fund will be raising 1million dollars to donate to publicnon-tuition elementary schoolstudent extracurricular activitiesacross the country.

From now until December 31,2005, public elementary schoolteachers, principals, and volunteerparent advisory groups acrossCanada can visit http://www.scoollifefund.ca and fill out anapplication form to request supportfor their DREAMS (Drama,Recreation, Extracurricular, Arts,

Music andSports).Whether aschool islooking forsupport forsports equipment, musicalinstruments or art supplies, S’CoolLife Fund wants to help create anenvironment that fosters a well-rounded school life for all children.

For further information, contact:S’Cool Life Fund, Suite 2300, P.O.Box 222, 161 Bay St., TD CanadaTrust Tower, Toronto, ON M5J 2S1,info@scoollifefund.ca, 1-866-362-4321.

New Canadian Charitable Foundation Donates Fundsfor Extracurricular Activities in Elementary Schools

18 NBTA NEWS

Dorothy White, FrenchSecond Language supervisor inSchool District 2 was one ofonly two recipients acrossCanada to receive theCanadian Association ofImmersion Teachers’Certificate of Excellence at therecent colloquium ofimmersion educators whichtook place in MonctonOctober 27-29, 2005.

Dorothy was the Atlanticrecipient of the “certificatd’excellence” which recognizesthe professional contributionsof an individual withinimmersion education.Madame White wasnominated by a committee ofher peers for her extraordinaryteaching ability, her

dedication and herleadership in immersioneducation. In addition toher numerousresponsibilities in theadministration of immersionprograms in the district andthe in-service training sheprovides for teachers,Dorothy has been involvedin teaching at the Universitéde Moncton and has beeninvolved in the summerimmersion program at thatinstitution for many years.Dorothy also served on theorganizing committee for

the recent colloquium ofCAIT/ACPI.

Fiona CogswellOrganizing Committee

CAIT/ACPI Colloque 2005

Paid Advertisement

New Brunswick Immersion EducatorReceives National Recognition

Dorothy White is seen here receiving her“certificat d’exellence” from Daniel Fletcher,President of the Canadian Association ofImmersion Teachers

DECEMBER 2005 19

Deadline Dates

Conference Grants — Five weeks prior to opening day

Certification Changes — March 31, 2006

Branch Nominations for NBTA Vice-President —February 1, 2006

Deferred Salary Leave Plan Application — January 31, 2006

Election Dates(a) Ballots mailed to Branch Presidents - On or before April

15, 2006(b) Voting to take place - April 24-28, 2006 inclusive(c) Ballots returned to Central Office by 5:00 pm - May 5,

2006(d) Counting of Ballots - May 10, 2006(e) Candidates notified - May 10, 2006

NBTA/Beaverbrook/Hagerman Interest-free Loans —March 31, 2006

Centennial Award Nominations — April 1, 2006

Aliant Award Nominations — April 1, 2006

Branch Resolutions for A.G.M. — April 1, 2006

A.G.M. Registration of Delegates — April 1, 2006

Employment Insurance Rebate Report — June 1, 2006

Registration of Branches — June 1, 2006

Report of Branch Meetings — June 1, 2006

Names of Branch Committee Chairpersons —June 1, 2006

NBTA Council Annual Reports — June 15, 2006

NOTE: Check with NBTA Personal Calendar for keyactivities within NBTA, NBTF and CTF.

OTHER IMPORTANT DATES

NBTA AGM — May 26-27, 2006

Retiring Teachers’ Luncheon — May 27, 2006

REMEMBER THESE DATES

NB Teachers Attend CTF Inclusion ConferenceMore than a dozen New Brunswick educators,

including members of the NBTA Committee onInclusionary Practices, attended the Canadian Teachers’Federation’s conference called Building Inclusive Schools:A Search for Solutions. Held in Ottawa, the conferencedrew close to 500 educators, parents, and communityadvocates who attended sessions related to creating safeand inclusive classrooms and schools for all children.

Stephen Lewis, the UN Secretary General’s SpecialEnvoy for HIV/AIDS, was given a standing ovation forhis inspirational keynote. Carol Ann Tomlinson gaveboth a keynote and a practical divided sessionencouraging differentiated instruction to ensure successfor all learners.

New Brunswick presenters at the conference wereRichard Blaquiere from Woodstock High School andMelinda Cook from the NBTA staff.

(l-r) Dawn DeCourcey, Katharine Brooks, RuthDonald, and Mary Ferris (front)

Keynote speaker Carol Ann Tomlinson(l-r) Bonnie Shannon, Ruth Donald, and BobFitzpatrick

20 NBTA NEWS

June 2006 Retirees – New Payroll PracticesThat Will Affect You

by Larry I. Jamieson, NBTA Director of Teacher Welfare Services

Earlier this fall, school districtsand the New Brunswick Teachers’Federation were advised that achange would be made, effectivewith June 2006 retirees, in how the“summer money” and first pensionpayments will be handled.

In the past, when teachers retiredat the end of a school year, June30th, they continued to receive their“summer money” during the four (4)pay periods of the summer eventhough they had effectivelyterminated their employment withthe school district. In addition, theirpension income, although effectivein July, was not receiveduntil September, when thefirst pension deposit arrived(around the 23rd or 24th ofthe month).

The Auditor General ofthe Province of NewBrunswick hasrecommended that thispractice be changed. Theeffect will be that whenteachers retire andterminate theiremployment, they will receive allmonies owed to them (their summermoney) in the pay period in whichtheir termination date falls.Likewise, their pension income willalso start to be received in themonth following their retirement(termination), as long as theirretirement paperwork is completedon time.

Regular deductions (such as EI,

CPP, pension contributions, etc.)will continue to occur from the“summer money” since thesedeductions are spread out over theschool year.

There are two (2) majorimplications of this change inpractice:

1) Since Pensions Branch requiresyour completed retirementpaperwork a minimum of 90 daysprior to the first pension payroll,teachers retiring at the end ofJune 2006 will have to have thispaperwork completed through

their district offices before theend of March 2006. In fact, sincea significant number of teachersare anticipated to retire duringthe coming year and since manyteachers also apply to purchasepension service as they retire, Iwould strongly advise anyteacher consideringretirement at the end of June2006 to have this paperwork

completed by early to mid-February 2006.

2) Group insurance premiums forbasic life, health and dentalcoverage are increased with thefirst pension cheque since retireesdo not benefit from the subsidythrough the CollectiveAgreement. This change meansthat these premiums will increaseas of the July pension cheque.

Although some teachers maywonder if this change is really intheir best interests, I believe it is.Teachers will now receive all money

owed to them (be it“summer money or pensionincome money) at the timethey should receive it. Afterall, it is your money and youcan decide to use it or investsome of it earlier than inprevious years. In addition,the new practice outlinedabove is identical to thepractice used when teachersdecide to retire during theschool year. From that

standpoint, everyone will now betreated in the same way.

If anyone has specific questionsabout this new payroll practice,please feel free to contact yourdistrict payroll office, Compensation& Employee Benefits Division, Officeof Human Resources (PensionsBranch) at 453-2296 or 1-800-561-4012 or myself at 452-1722,jamiesonl@nbnet.nb.ca

The effect will be that whenteachers retire or terminate theiremployment, they will receive allmonies owed to them (their summermoney) in the pay period in whichtheir termination date falls.

Funds for the Educational Improvement grants are depleted for PDevents between now and December 31. Funds for PD taking place afterJanuary 1 can be applied for, beginning immediately. Teachers areencouraged to apply early.

Educational Improvement Grants Depleted

The idea for this contest grew outof the desire of a group of active andretired BC Social Studies teachers toraise the profile of Social Studies andCanadian history in secondaryschools. The aim of the competitionis to provide students with anopportunity to test their skills inhistory against those of studentsfrom schools across Canada. Thecontest is not an examination, andthere is no passing or failing grade.We believe that all students whohave prepared for the contest willenjoy and benefit from theexperience.

Students are provided with a richvariety of primary and secondarysources dealing with national issuesand with questions which requirethem to use the critical thinkingskills historians employ in analyzingsuch sources. The contest questionsare based on major events inCanadian history from 1850 to the

present. Theemphasis is oncritical thinkingskills using primarysources such aspolitical cartoons,paintings, posters,graphs, maps,statistics, songs,speeches, diaries,letters, newspaperarticles, and memoirs.

The contest is two hours in lengthand is normally written in thecandidate’s school under thesupervision of a classroom teacher. Itconsists of 25 multiple choicequestions, many of which requirestudents to assess or interpret sourcedocuments, one paragraph responsequestion and one essay whichrequire students to develop a thesisregarding an issue in Canadianhistory based on their interpretationof a variety of source documents

presenting different points of viewon the issue.

There are four award prizes of$500 each. Deadline for entries isMarch 9, 2006; the contest dateis April 4, 2006.

It is sponsored by the BegbieContest Society which currentlyreceives financial support from theBC Social Studies Teachers’Association, the Ontario History andSocial Science Teachers’ Association,the Canadian Parents for French,Canada’s National History Societyand the Canadian Studies Program,Department of Canadian Heritage.

For more information about thecontest, including how to enrollyour students in the contest, how toreceive a colour poster advertisingthe contest, and how to order acopy of a 300 page bookletcontaining the contest questions forthe first ten years of the contest, visit<www.begbiecontestsociety.org>.

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DECEMBER 2005 21

22 NBTA NEWS

PROFESSIONAL COUNSELLING SERVICEFOR TEACHERS

Wellness HighlightsTEACHER COUNSELLING SERVICESAnn Kennedy, Districts 14, 17, 18

1-800-561-1727Betsy Colwell-Burley, Districts 6, 8, 10

1-800-563-3938Niel Cameron, Districts 2, 15, 16

1-888-763-5050

Ann KennedyDistricts 14, 17, 18

1-800-561-1727462-0208

Betsy Colwell-BurleyDistricts 6, 8, 101-800-563-3938

634-2901

Niel CameronDistricts 2,15, 161-888-763-5050

855-5243

Roles and Responsibilities

CounsellingIndividual or group counselling for personal or professional issues

Crisis ResponseSchools experiencing trauma, loss/grief, or any other crisis, upon request

Conduct WorkshopsRespond to requests for specific topics of interest orneed within a school

Co-ordinate School-Based Wellness ProgramResponsible for training district facilitators andschool wellness representatives to promote theprogram for all staff members.

DECEMBER 2005 23

“Year of the Veteran” TeacherResource Guide

The Historica Foundation ofCanada and CN recently announcedthe launch of the Historica-CNTeacher Resource Guide designed toprovide teachers with activities fortheir classrooms in commemorationof the Year of the Veteran. TheGuide will be distributed throughHistorica’s network to 10,000elementary and secondary schoolteachers across Canada and isavailable in a downloadable pdf atwww.histori.ca.

Let's Recycle It! is designed tohelp teachers deliver Civicscurriculum using a concretemunicipal issue — plastics recycling— in a real life decision-makingcontext.

Let's Recycle It! is a case study andmunicipal government simulationdebate that places students in theposition of a typical city councilanywhere in Canada.

The kit involves students in thepublic process of making a decisionthat will satisfy the greatest numberof citizens. In the debate, studentstake the roles of City CouncilMembers, Expert Witnesses,Stakeholders and ConcernedCitizens. This material is designedfor activity. It is not a read andrecord kind of case study. Studentsare expected to respond verbally (inwritten and oral form) to the debateset before them. Teachers who wantto satisfy their Civics curriculumoutlines in a concrete and activemanner will find Let's Recycle It! asequence of lessons that bring thedaily workings of municipalgovernment to life.

The kit can be downloadedin pdfformat from www.plastics.ca/debate.

Canadians and theirGovernment: A Resource Guide

The Government of Canada ispleased to provide Canadians withaccess to a new resource guide toassist in learning more about oursystem of government and itsinstitutions. The guide is full of

information and includes a widerange of activities. It is intendedprimarily for youth aged 12 to 16but can be adopted for use withother audiences.

The guide is contained in a binderand includes additional posters,booklets and a video. A CD-ROMversion is available. To order this freeguide, contact: CSP-PEC@pch.gc.ca, Fax(613) 998-9008, Tel (613) 998-9030.

Canada’s History andEnvironment Virtual Tours

Experience virtual tours ofnational historic sites and nationalparks of Canada, with 5 new toursscheduled for winter 2006. There are8 themes to explore: Defence ofCanada, Species at Risk, Technologyand Engineering, Migration, Feedingthe Nation, Women in History,Northern Parks, and EthoculturalCommunities. A free CD-ROMallows you to explore Parks Canada’s3-D tours when you are offline, butcontains only a portion of the 3-Dtours available on the Internet site.To discover all tours, visitwww.pc.gc.ca/3d. For moreeducational resources, visit:www.pc.gc.ca/education.

Attention Fish FriendsTeachers and Volunteers!

Fish Friends 2006The Atlantic

Salmon Federation(ASF) is updating thedatabase of schoolsinvolved in theprogram, but we needyour help! If you havenot received an e-mailor phone call from Debbie Perry,ASF’s Fish Friends Coordinator,please send an e-mail to keep us upto date. ASF needs to know whetheryou are participating again in theFish Friends program, or the nameand contact information of theteacher who will be taking over theproject.

The ASF has developed a usefulbooklet for potential Fish Friendsvolunteers – individuals vitallyimportant to the program’s deliveryand future. Let us know theaddresses, e-mail and phonenumbers of potential volunteers andwe will send them a copy of thebooklet. Interested teachers can alsoreceive one or more copies.Please contact Debbie Perry at506-529-1384 or e-mail:asfcc@nb.aibn.com

Fish Friends, an Atlantic SalmonFederation Program

Announcements

24 NBTA NEWS

650 Montgomery St., P.O. Box 752, Fredericton, N.B. E3B 5R6506-452-1724 • 1-800-565-5626 • 506-452-1732 (fax)E-mail: nbtacu@nbnet.nb.ca • Web: http://www.nbtacu.nb.caHours: Monday to Friday, Telephone Service 8:30 am - 4:30 pm In-Branch Service: 9:00 am - 4:30 pm

NBTA

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