Take Your Kid to Work Day

Isabella Hallihan mixes paint with her mother Cheryl
at Home Hardware.

Grade nine students participated in "Take your Kid to Work Day" on Wednesday November 2, On this day, students are required to visit their parents' workplace or an area of employment that interests them.

This is a great opportunity to experience a normal day in the work industry, and get a feel for what their future job may be like. It also helps them realize what their parents lives are like outside of the house, and become more aware of their everyday responsibilities.

Abby Keenan and her mother Jennifer in the school cafeteria.

Isabella Hallihan spent the day at Home Hardware, a local business, learning many useful skills for the job, such as mixing paint. Abby Keenan worked alongside her mother here at the school cafeteria.

Article and photos by Jensen Urquhart and Samantha Stockless

Halloween Spirit at Blackville School

Grade 12 students hosted Halloween activities here at Blackville School, as part of their fundraising, on Wednesday, October 26.  Kindergarten to Grade 5 enjoyed a night of fun, playing games, being scared in the haunted house and eating a lot of treats.

                   

To view more photos of the Elementary parties click here.

That same night, Middle School Students had their Halloween dance. Filled with the Halloween spirit, everyone came dressed up in their best costumes.

                   

To view more photos of the Middle School dance click here.

The Class of 2017 also had a very exciting night with everyone and many memories were made. They would like to thank all who attended and made the evening a great success.

High school students had their Halloween dance the following evening, Thursday, October 27.
To view photos click here.

Photos by Jules Keenan
Article by Jensen Urquhart

Eagle Talk for October 28

Hosts Ciara Arbeau and Nicole Nicole share news from Blackville School for the week of October 28, 2016. The "Eagle Talk" podcast can be heard on Life Radio on Friday evenings.

The Coding Quest (Video)

From Vampires to Witches - They Will be at Blackville School

Blackville School has many activities planned next week to celebrate Halloween.

The grade 12 students are organizing Halloween Parties on Wednesday, October 26 for the children from kindergarten to grade five to fundraise for the class of 2017.

The school is inviting the kindergarten to grade two students to come at 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm and the grade three to grade five students at 5:45 pm to 6:45 pm to celebrate this scary holiday with this year's graduates. The fee for the party is $4 per student, but many sweet treats and drinks will also be available.

The Blackville School is also organizing a Middle School Halloween Dance that same night at 7:00 pm till 8:30 pm, and the fee will be $5 per student. They are expected to come dressed in the scariest or cutest costume they own.

The High School Halloween Dance is scheduled to be on Thursday, October 27 at 8:30 pm till 10:45  pm, but the doors close at 9:00 pm. Don't miss it. There will also be Humans Vs. Zombies on Friday, October 28 at 7:00 pm till 9:00 pm. Students will have to pay $2 at the door to participate.

Next week will be filled with scary but fun activities. Don't miss out on them!

Article by Samantha Stockless

Illustration by Cassidy Brennan

Eagle Talk for October 21

Hosts Ciara Arbeau and Nicole Nicole share news from Blackville School for the week of October 21, 2016. The "Eagle Talk" podcast can be heard on Life Radio on Friday evenings.

Camouflage Day (Video)

Elementary Students Blend in on Camouflage Day

Blackville School elementary students recently participated in Camouflage Day. Students from kindergarten to grade five dressed in camouflage, hunting gear or orange coloured clothing.

This is a new activity for the elementary students. Mrs. Jennifer Hallihan, a grade five teacher, explained that the students will have the opportunity to dress up for a theme day based on a significant event each month.

The theme day will be the last Friday of each month. Any guesses for what the theme day will be for October?

For more photos from the theme day, click here.

By Cassidy Brennan 
Photos by Jules Keenan

Grade 4 Students are on a Quest

Mrs. McLean with grade four student Madison Vickers

Grade four students are on a quest at Blackville School. To be more specific, they're on a "Coding Quest".

Grade four teacher Kendra McLean started a coding program to help students improve on writing step by step instructions, computer literacy and navigation, as well as developing higher thinking skills that involve creativity.

The program is based on the New Brunswick curriculum and teaches students in grade four to six how to do basic coding skills and create a computer game.

The users will spend time both in class and in the computer lab learning how to navigate websites like Scratch. According to the Scratch website, Scratch is a free programming language and online community where you can create your own interactive stories, games, and animations.

Grade four student Jordyn Curtis

McLean spent time this summer at a professional development workshop learning how Scratch works and how
to integrate the program in her classroom lessons.

"In July, I attended a Learning Partnership professional development under "Coding Quest" offered by the province of New Brunswick," McLean explained.

McLean plans on using this aid throughout the year as there are endless possibilities of new technical skills for the students to learn.

"I saw the benefits of the program to enrich students' language, especially the mathematical vocabulary involved, as well as give students an opportunity be creative at the same time," she added.

This program is just in its infant stage. McLean sees it evolving as more technical resources and equipment become available. She also hopes, in the near future, it will be available for other grades too.

Grade four student Brandon Hernandez

Grade four student Brandon Hernandez is very enthusiastic about the program. "You can make games, animation and anything if you put your head to it," he said. "It is a lot of fun, and I can make my own games. I never thought this existed," he added.

Other students agree with Brandon. Jordyn Curtis finds the program a lot of fun. She and fellow student Curtis Duffy explained how the students have to give directions to their animations so the animation can move and make sounds.

"I enjoy going to the lab and learning new skills," said Travis Manderville.

by Samantha Stockless
Photos by Cassidy Brennan 

2016 Walk-A-Thon (Video)

Save on Your 2017 Yearbook

If you plan on purchasing a 2017 Blackville School yearbook, now is the time to preorder.

If you are ordering before October 28, you will only have to pay $40, which saves $5.00 off of the regular price of $45.00.

Another great deal being offered for those ordering before October 28 is four free icons with a $5 personalization purchase.

But do not delay, these great savings are only available until October 28. They will not be around for much longer.

Preorder paper forms for the 2017 Blackville School Yearbook are now available at the school office or you can order online by clicking here.

Student Walk-A-Thon Raises Over $7000

Grade 6 students Lydia Sullivan, Tara Martin and
Amber Hambrook

Blackville School students raised just over $7000.00 during a Walk-A-Thon last Friday, September 30.

The Walk-A-Thon was held to raise funds to build a fence around the elementary soccer field.

The field requires a fence so unwanted traffic, such as ATVs, won't be able to damage the field.

Presently,  the field cannot be used by the elementary soccer teams because it is deemed unsafe due to the damage.

Principal Rodney Buggie explained that the fence will a create safer practice and play area for the elementary soccer team.

Participating middle and high students and staff walked from the school to the Old Bartholomew Road and back again on Friday afternoon. It is a 8 kilometre walk. The elementary students and staff walked in the morning.

The school raised $7160.00, but the fence will cost approximately $20, 000.00. The school plans to organize more fundraisers for this cause.

To see more photos from this event, click here.

Written by Samantha Stockless
Photos by Jules Keenan

Grade 6 and 9 Orientations Held on First Day of School

Grade six and nine students participated in orientation activities for middle and high school during the first day on September 6 at Blackville School.

Kindergarten and elementary students also started on the same day. The rest of the middle and high school students joined their peers on Wednesday, September 7.

To check out more photos from Blackville's first day of school, click here.

Photos by Jules Keenan, Paulina Sturgeon and Veronica Pond

45 Students Celebrate High School Graduation

Forty-five grade 12 students crossed the stage at Blackville School on Thursday evening, June 23 to receive their high school diplomas.

The valedictorian was Ashlyn Moody and the salutatorian was Laura Jardine. Father Gerry Laskey gave the invocation and the benediction was given by John Beach.

Anglophone School District North Superintendent Beth Stymiest, Southwest Miramichi-Bay-du-Vin MLA Jake Stewart and Blackville School Principal Rodney Buggie addressed the staff, graduates and their guests.

Later that evening after the graduation ceremony, the graduates had their all night Safe Grad event at the school.

During the graduation practice on Thursday morning, the graduates spent some time with the elementary students. Click here to see some photos. 

Blackville School Prom 2016

Blackville High School 2016 graduates pose for prom photos
at the Blackville Park on Saturday afternoon, June 18.

The prom for the Blackville School 2016 graduates and their guests was on Saturday, June 18.

The graduation ceremony is this Thursday evening, June 23.

For more photos from prom day, click here.

Photos by Jules Keenan

Grade 8 Students Celebrate with Banquet and Dance

The grade 8 banquet was held at Blackville School on the evening of June 16. It was a fun filled evening with presentations of “The Grade 8 Fun Awards," a meal of pizza, garlic fingers and a sundae buffet.

Each grade 8 student invited two guests and Middle School staff were also in attendance. 

Grade 8 student Abby Keenan welcomed everyone and grade 8 students Danaya Campbell and Cassidy Urquhart lead the crowd in a grace. The presenters for the evening were Grade 8 students Shana Jardine and Daniel MacVicar.

The banquet concluded with each student receiving their grade 8 certificate and Blackville School t-shirt. Grade 8 student Calvin Keenan offered the thank-you with an invitation to celebrate the rest of the evening at the final Middle School dance. 

The Blackville Middle School Staff extends all the grade 8 students a wonderful summer and best of luck in high school. To see more photos from the banquet and dance, click here. 

Grade 5 Students and Guests Enjoy Banquet on June 14

The grade 5 students and their guests took advantage
of the photo booth where they could "ham it up" with
different props.

The grade 5 banquet was held at Blackville School on the evening of June 14.

Each grade 5 student could invite two guests, along with the elementary staff. 

Guests were treated to pizza, garlic fingers and a sundae buffet. 

There was also a photo booth with different props where students could pose for pictures with family members.

Awards were given in all academic areas. The Ron Pauley Memorial trophy was awarded to Tessa Munn. This award recognizes leadership in athletics. 

The students also performed their version of the song "My Church" as "My Class." For more photos from the banquet, click here. 

Students Raise $1100 for Josie Foundation

Blackville School Student Council Representatives present a
cheque for $1100.00 on June 4 to local MLA and Josie
Foundation Founder Jake Stewart. Members of the Student
Council (l-r): Brooke Underhill, Robyn Stewart, Gina Keenan,
Jade Underhill and also grade 10 student Jules Keenan. 

Blackville School students recently raised a total of $1100.00 through various fundraising initiatives for the Josie Foundation.

The fundraising campaign was organized by the High School Student Council.

According to its website, the Josie Foundation "is a non-profit incorporated Foundation whose aim is to establish, receive and maintain a fund for the relief of economic hardship for individuals (families) within the Miramichi area who may be encountering financial difficulty as a result of a life threatening illness."

For more information on the Josie Foundation, click here.

Middle and High School Recognition Awards 2016

Daniel Richard and Ashlyn Moody received
 the Most Outstanding Academic and Extra-curricular Awards.

Blackville School held their Recognition Awards Ceremony on Monday, June 6. 

Grade 12 student Ashlyn Moody and grade 10 student Daniel Richard received the Most Outstanding Academic and Extra-curricular Awards.

Grade 12 student Brook Underhill received the Fenton Sturgeon Memorial Award which is awarded to a grade 12 student who has been involved in sports for all four years of high school. Special consideration can also be given to students who have volunteered their time coaching younger athletes outside school hours.

High School Male Athlete of the Year went to Grade 12 student Dylan Storey and High School Female Athlete of the Year went to grade 12 student Ashlyn Moody. 

The Kathy McCormack Award, recognizing athletes who are great school ambassadors, went to grade 12 student Josh Underhill.

Middle School Male Athlete of the Year went to grade 8 student Drake Donovan and Middle School Female Athlete of the Year went to grade 8 student Hayley Underhill.

Grade 11 student Robyn Stewart received the School Spirit Award. For more photos from the awards ceremony, click here.

Blackville School Hosts Elementary District Spelling Bee

Kindergarten Winners: 1st prize Winner Nathan Robichaud
of St. Andrews and Runner Up Isak Dubois of NSEE

Grade One Winners: 1st Prize Winner Matty Lirette of
Gretna Green and Runner Up Keenan Underhill of Blackville

Blackville School hosted this year’s Championship ASD-N Elementary Spelling Bee on Thursday, May 26.

A student from each grade level came to Blackville from all over the District to compete in the Spelling Bee against their peers. 

The students had already won competitions held in their own schools, and were now competing to see who would be the ‘Grand Champion’ of their grade level.

With hard words like “cleanliness,” “contagious” and “receive,” all of the K-5 students provided an impressive display of

Grade Two Winners: Runner Up Jace Jardine of Blackville
and 1st Prize Winner Ronan Clark of Gretna Green

literation. 

Grade Three Winners: Runner Up TJ Martin of Gretna Green
and 1st Prize Winner Landon Ferron McGillan of NSEE

For more photos from the event, click here.

The winners are as followed:

Kindergarten

1st - Nathan Robichaud - St. Andrews
Runner Up - Isak Dubois - NSEE

Grade One 

1st - Matty Lirette - Gretna Green
Runner Up - Keenan Underhill - Blackville

Grade Two 

1st - Ronan Clark - Gretna Green
Runner Up - Jace Jardine - Blackville

Grade Three 

1st - Landon Ferron McGillan - NSEE
Runner Up - T.J Martin - Gretna Green

Grade Four 

1st - Ben Walsh - NSEE
Runner Up - Preston Francis - Eel Ground

Grade Five 

1st - Madison Jardine - Millerton
Runner Up - Vinny Johnson - Miramichi Rural

Grade Four Winners: 1st Prize Winner Ben Walsh of NSEE and
Runner Up Preston Francis of Eel Ground

Article and photos by Jules Keenan

Grade Five Winners: Runner Up Vinny Johnson of Miramichi
Rural and 1st Prize Winner Madison Jardine of Millerton