Changing how you sit

James Bay Community Centre School

By Darcy Topinka

Have you noticed what happens when you sit for a long period of time? Do things hurt? Do you get tired? Have you ever wondered what would happen if you changed how you sit? Well, Division Two at James Bay Community School is very curious about this. They are conducting an inquiry into how their sitting affects their learning. Students are collecting data on themselves! Children will sit on balls, chairs, kneeling and squatting at a lowered table, standing at a podium, sitting on a bench and working with clipboards - all during their regular classroom day. Division Two is looking forward to finding out if there is one way that is better for them to sit, or if they feel different not sitting at a chair only.

In doing the inquiry with their teacher, students will learn how to conduct their own inquiry, which they will begin in May. Each student will conduct an inquiry on a question of their own!

We are pleased to introduce our new Recreation Programmer, Laurel Koslowski.  Laurel comes to us from the City of Edmonton with a Bachelor's degree in Recreation and Leisure studies from the University of Alberta; she possess a solid background in working with community groups and programming recreation for various age groups.  She will officially take over as the Recreation Programmer on April 19th, 2012.  We are very excited to have her as a part of our community centre team. Kate Longpre has accepted a position with the Vic West community centre as their new facility manager and programmer. We wish Kate great success in her new role. The community of Vic West is most fortunate to have her energy, enthusiasm and creativity. Kate will be greatly missed.

Mathew Glynn, our Nutrition supervisor, is leaving the culinary arts and heading off to drive bus with BC Transit. We wish Mathew and his family the best of luck. We will miss his home-style cooking and his enthusiasm for preparing nutritious meals for our seniors and school children here at the centre.

We look forward to hosting our annual Gallery Gala on Thursday May 3rd from 6:30 to 8:00 pm.  The general community is welcome to participate in this joint special event hosted by the school and community centre.  Children will create two pieces of art, one for sale and one to keep. Dollars raised will be re-invested in art supplies that are not normally provided for in the school's annual budget.