November 28

You may have already heard, but just in case you haven't heard, my goal scoring was snapped at 1 game 4 games ago.  Yes, I am playing in the plus 60 hockey league this fall and I am enjoying the league.  Every 6 weeks, new teams are formed.  There are 12 teams for this 6 six week session.  Every team has 10 skaters.  First line players are usually in their 60s and second line players are in their 70s and 80s.  You always play against players of similar ability.  The league is fun, the guys are friendly, and the workout is great.
Today, I pulled a double header.  I played 5 games of volleyball in the morning and a game of hockey in the afternoon.

On Saturday, I returned my travel trailer to the lake after some warranty work. On my way back to the city, I swung by Warman and took Mary out for supper at the Wagon Wheel Restaurant.  It was good to have some quality/quantity time with Mary. On Sunday, I finally got my Christmas lights in place.  After church, I met the girls and Dustin for Dim Sum.  The Grey Cup party was one of the best.  I really enjoyed the game and the food.

Principal’s Message – April 06

"Our character is what we do when we think no one is looking."Jackson Browne

I am very concerned with reading levels, mathematical competence, spelling accuracy, fine arts appreciation, fitness levels, and a whole host of other education indicators, but there are some times when my greatest wish is for a child to have a conscience.    We all want every child to be motivated to follow ethical and moral principles that govern their thoughts and actions.  We want them to have a sense of right and wrong as well as a feeling of shame when they do something immoral.  We want them to do the right thing when no one is looking.  We want children to demonstrate character, but how do you attain character? 

            Some children seem to be born with a conscience while other children raised in the same household and raised by the same set of parents seem to lack conscience.  One child will fall apart when you raise your voice while another child has a tough shell that makes them impervious to correction.  The same sun that melts the butter bakes the clay.  Children are different when they are born.  Their chemical make up, physical strength, intellectual abilities, learning styles, and a myriad of other things are unique.  I am not convinced that a child can be born with a conscience, but I am sure that adults need to teach a child that it is wrong to be lazy, steal, lie, cheat, hold a grudge, gossip, etc.  Yes, we have to nurture their conscience so they will be able to do the right thing when no one is looking.

            Indeed, we have to devote the same amount of effort to teaching character as we do to teaching academics.  In fact, a child is more likely to be a successful student if he/she has a strong conscience.  The message for adults is to teach children to be kind, hardworking, forgiving, understanding, honest, responsible, and grateful.