Friday, December 16th.

One more hour and a half to go and school is done for this year! We've had some good times this past week, with the Christmas concert on Wednesday and the holiday carnival yesterday, Thursday. Students have begun to seem they enjoy coming to school, and have been asking about things to do in the new semester.

The concert was quite the organizational event, grades 9 and 10 put up the stage and chairs for the audience, as well as ushering the parents. The rest of the grades all had a song or poem prepared, and it was a really big deal for them considering that their cultural background has not prepared them for public speaking. You can see the syllabics saying "Merry Christmas" on the wall below the English version.

The best day was our snow sculpting carnival, where we invited the parents to come and work with their children and gave cash prizes. First place got $150, second got $75 and third $25. As you can imagine it got quite competitive! Here are pictures of the first prize and their creation, a polar bear with claws and all. Everyone had a great time, and produced some fantastic creations: Sponge Bob, CN tower, twin towers, a ski-doo, igloos, snow-men and a giant turtle. The cold was fought off with snow pants, a fire, hot chocolate and pancakes. I think the event went so well that it will become an annual one.

Tomorrow, Saturday Ricardo, Moopy and I fly out to Thunder Bay. After an overnight we continue to Toronto for our family holidays. We will all be converging in St. Catharines, where we'll be able to spend some family time in between packing and unpacking. We have to close Inge's apartment, as he will be going to a nursing home when he leaves the hospital. He is now walking and eating, so continues to improve....

Tuesday, December 6th.

Today is a very special day: Ricardo turns 50. Happy Birthday darling!! So far he has got a pair of snowshoes which I got when I went to Sioux Lookout, two weeks ago and a 'home made' racoon tail hat from his Karate students (teachers from the school). I also managed to bring two birthday cards, as here in Wunnumin there is no selection other than the computer self-made version. Last Sunday evening, on the pretext of visiting a 'sick' teacher we went over and SURPRISE, party was on the way. I think the hat really makes him look the part up north.....
We are both looking forward to our Xmas holidays with the family in St. Catharines. We'll have quite a bit of packing as we need to close down dad's apartment and help Gloria and family move into their new townhouse. The apartment got too small with Thomas' turning one (presents galore, literally put them out of the flat). Dad is doing better, after his heart attack during his surgery. It's been a long road to recovery, and has still a long way to go. He is taking a few steps now, and is off all the peripherals (IV, oxygen, etc...). He also reached a milestone on November 7th when he turned 90. That's 140 years experience between them!!
This week I am in Thunder Bay, at an Education conference for the NAN nations (Nashini Aski Nations) which comprise 49 fly-in communities up north in Ontario. Principals, Education Directors and Program Consultants are presenting on the best practices for these peoples. I find it encouraging to see that many of the things we are doing at school, fall under these umbrellas. It also gives me an opportunity to network and generate some other ideas for implementing in the new year. Some end of the year activities planned for this week and next are: parent dinner, xmas concert, staff dinner, and snow sculpture carnival. I think I will have some good pictures to share next posting.....