Volume 3 Issue 2

On November 8th, Al Simmons, a children’s entertainer, came to our school to do a performance. He did tricks and sang many songs. All the children came to the gym and watched the performance with joy. Al Simmons had many things, like a crazy hat that turned when he pulled a string and a coat that had coat hangers inside that he flapped when he walked. He also passed his Juno award around to collect fingerprints. It was a great performance and everybody enjoyed it.

Visitor from Ukraine
By Stephanie

An accomplished musician, Myron Bloschychak, visited Ralph Brown School. He talked about a several instruments from Ukraine and was able to play on them. He was also able to play on pipes that were made out of wood, plastic and rubber. He played some beautiful music using a pan flute. Mr. Bloshychak has his own CDs with most of his best pieces of music. Mr. Bloshychak told the history about the pan flute that he was playing. He also was able to play music on a pen cap and a bottle full of water. All the teachers and students enjoyed Mr. Bloshychak’s music and it was a pleasure for him to be able to visit our school.

Yard Cleanup
by Jeffrey

Last month we had a yard clean up. We were to clean the whole schoolyard. Only the grades 5 to 8 helped. Our class had to do the yard and Mr. Charney's class swept the sidewalk. We were all supplied with rubber gloves and garbage bags and were divided into groups of three. We did this for Take Pride Winnipeg. Take Pride Winnipeg is an organization to clean up the city and prevent arson. Their mission is to inspire community pride, raise public awareness and promote citizen responsibility in making the City of Winnipeg clean and beautiful. They want to make Winnipeg a more attractive community to live and work in and to help Winnipeg gain recognition as Canada’s greatest city.

The Terry Fox Walk
by Jeffrey

Last month we had a Terry Fox Walk. Terry Fox was a man that ran across Canada. He had an artificial right leg. He had it because he had lost his leg to cancer. So in recognition of him and to help raise some money, our school had a Terry Fox Walk. We were to walk around the whole school twice. We were lead by the patrols and the captain and co-captain held a sign that read Ralph Brown School. When we went around the school and reached the front door we saw Leo the Recycling Lion. Everybody wanted to see him or hug him.

Boys and Girls Soccer Teams
By Catherine

On October 5th, the Ralph Girl’s Soccer Team went to Chalmers Community Club to participate in a soccer tournament. They won all of the games, showing great skills. They, became the North Winnipeg Divisional Champions. Congratulations to: head coach Mr. Chubey, Rosa Nilles, Catherine Symchyshyn, Amanda Holt, Tamara Leiper, Tasha Zuk, Amanda Mokriy, Sheena Hersley, Candice Balsillie, Keshia Campbell, Christine Chuckree, Alexa Bereznycky, Kimbery Zielke, and Nicole Sliworsky.

On October 11th, the Boy’s Soccer teams won the tournament at Chalmers Community Club. They showed great sportsmanship and skills. Congratulations to the coach Mr. Berger, and to the following team members: Jahn Lavallee, Darko Sajak, Nicolas Kozelko, Andriy Baran, Cody Rendulis, Clinton Bell, Jason Allary, Cornel Goosehead, Morie Atienza, Joey Ledoux, and Marko Senchuk.

Room 111 at the Salvation Army
by Jessica

On November 16^th, room 111 went to the Salvation Army on Logan Ave. We sorted toys onto shelves by age group. It was hard not wanting some of those toys but we remembered that lots of kids would get nothing on Christmas. Some people might not even have a Christmas dinner. The job sounds easy but we worked so hard that we had to take a break. Once we had sorted out all the toys we got a tour of the building. We learned where adults go for schooling and where people have to do their community service. Then we went to a giant kitchen where they were making some really good smelling stir-fry. Then some children went into a giant fridge! It was freezing in there! Then we went into a very big gym where we got some exercise. I really enjoyed going to the Salvation Army and helping.

Remembrance Day
By Catherine

On November 9th, our school had a Remembrance Day Service. First we sang O Canada, and then we had the Aboriginal Prayer of Respect read by Skylar Brass and Alyson Manitopyes. After the Aboriginal Prayer, Mrs. Adams did a Bible Reading, then the grade 6 class in room 111 recited “In Flanders Fields”. Next the patrols participated in the Laying of the Wreath. Grades 3-6 English Choir sang “One Wish”, and Mrs.Zubach’s grade ones recited “The Gift”. Next, we had the Ukrainian Choir sing “The Bells of Peace and the reading of poems by the grade 7 and 8 students. The English Choir sang “Amani Utupe” and then everyone sang “Song of Peace”. The Last Post, Minute of Silence, and Reveille followed.

Oak Hammock Marsh
by Tasia

On October 6th, room 107, went to Oak Hammock Marsh. First, we went to this little house to talk about what group we were going to and then we split up. The grade 3’s went in a group and grade 4’s went in a group. The first thing we did was Critter Dipping. That is when you take a dipping net and dip it into a pond and try to catch bugs. Next, we went to learn about owls. Our guide, Morgan, had a stuffed Great Horned Owl. Then we did crafts. We made owl callers. We had lunch for half an hour and after we went to the Interpretive Center where we saw some displays. Our guide gave us clipboards to write down answers and questions. Then we measured our arm spans to see what kind of bird we were. I was a Spoonbill. We showed our guide our answers and then we were allowed to play. When we were going back to school we had a contest to see who could sleep. The people who did would get a prize. My favorite activities were Critter Dipping and measuring our arm spans and making our owl callers.

Halloween
By Mackenzie

On Tuesday, October 31^st, it was Halloween. Lots of people celebrated it. During the day the grade five’s and up had a Halloween Dance. Mr. Charney held the dance and played the music. The dance was held from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Students were allowed to bring their favorite C.D.’s if they wanted to. During the dance there were chips and drinks sold for 50 cents each. After the dance most classes had a party. Kids brought candy and treats. In the evening, between 6:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. many children went trick-or-treating and got lots of candy.

Halloween first started on the new years festival and festivals of the dead. It was in the 800’s A.D. The Christian church started All Saint’s Day on November first. They did that so people could continue a festival they celebrated before becoming Christians. The mass said that All Saint’s Day was called Allhallowmans. The night before All Saint’s day became known as All Hallows’ Eve, or All Hallowe’en.

Choral Fest
by Jessica

On November 15^th, the English choir went to Choral Fest where we sang in front of other schools. A very nice man then told us what we had to work on and taught us some new strategies on how to be better singers. Then we went to a room where a lady told us to sing our songs again and then she told us to dance to our song Amuni Utupe! That was lots of fun! Then we got our pictures taken. The last thing we did was listen to other choirs. I think our choir sang Amuni Utupe and One Wish very well!