The record, 20 janvier 2009, Supplément 1

Brome County NEW a*WB|MSBW 'mm SiMf' 1 Tuesday, January 20, 2009 LAC BROME 461 Knowlton Rd.8 a.m.to 9 p.m.Magog 231 Sherbrooke St.Michel Ginette Farnham 999 Principale St.E.The little school with the big heart COURTESY Mansonville Elementary’s kids with big hearts."2» TliV-'.rCM)*, Mt* Alanna Fahey Brome County News Correspondent — Mansonville Mansonville, Quebec, that oft underappreciated village in The Eastern Townships, is home to one of Quebec’s most endearing elementary schools.The Mansonville Elementary School, referred to lovingly as The Little School with the Big Heart, is home to 23 students, ranging from pre-kindergarten to Grade Six.There are two classes, one from pre-kindergarten to grade two and the other, grade three to grade six.The school is very similar to a one room school and often the classes come together to do lessons and special events.Rachel Massicks, the school’s head teacher heads up a team of three employees, Margaret Hopps, Sylvia Mckergow and Fanny Boulais.Renalee Gore, the principal, shares her time between two schools, Mansonville Elementary and Waterloo Elementary.“The school is a gift.It really is,” said Gore.“The kids are wonderful and we have a very good Parent Committee and Governing Board.The school receives quite a bit of community support.The Optimist Club recently gave the school a donation so that we could continue our Book Bag Project." The school also offers a Wellness and Homework program.“The children are able to get help with their homework while they are here, in the school and the Wellness project this year is a special activity headed up by local musicians Laura Teasdale and Ralph Stin-er.They come to the school and teach the students ukulele.” Tiny Tim would be proud.There are a few disadvantages to the reality of the school, such as the school is located in a fairly isolated community and sometimes, especially in winter, the students don’t get to leave Mansonville.However, on the up side to those few disadvantages, the isolation leads to creativity and because the students don’t travel far in the winter, they get to ski four times a year at the ‘Award Winning’ ski hill, Owl’s Head.“When our children go onto Massy Vanier, the Junior/High School.We often see stellar results, not only scholastically, but socially.Our kids are grounded and with the attention that we are able to give them, no one falls through the cracks,” said Gore.The kids had some very interesting things to say about their very special school.The following is an interview with the kids of The Little School with the Big Heart.Brome County News: “What do you like best about your school?” Cassidy-Ann, Kindergarten said, “Playing on the computers." Sahara, Kindergarten said, “Sliding because we all have crazy carpets.” Taylor of Grade 1 said, “Because my friends are at school.” Violetta, Kindergarten stated, “When Mrs.Gore reads us stories, it’s nice to be together.” Ethan, Grade 6 said, “1 like having nice kids to play with.At a bigger school it’s hard to know all the other kids, in a small school you get to know kids better.” Justin, a student in Grade 6 said, “It’s fun; it feels like a family but it’s not.I like all the field trips." Liza, Grade 4 said, “I like having kids to play with and stuff to learn and doing projects.” Skyler, Grade 4 answered, “I like the laptops they help us do research for projects.” Ryan, Grade 5 said, “The laptops make it easier to learn.It feels like a private school.” Dusty, Grade 3 stated, “It is fun learning to play the ukuleles.” Ethan, of Grade 6 finished the question with the answer, “We get to express our opinion and the teachers listen.We can make choices.” Brome County News: “What aré your favourite subjects?” Sydney, Grade 5 said, “Art and Gym.” Sarah, of Grade 5 said,”Art, Math, gym LA.We have lots of good books.” Josh, of Grade 6 stated, “Reading my book baskets.I choose what 1 read.” Brome County News: “Do you like it when the classes come together?” Kyle, Grade 4 said, “ I like going on trips.It is fun to help the little ones.” Brome County News: “Is there anything you would like to say to other kids in other schools?” Megan, Grade 3 said, “The teachers pick out nice projects for us.” Craig, Grade 4 said, “We have nice people in our school; students, teachers and principal.” Skyler, of Grade 4 stated, “We have fun days like Fancy Nancy Day and Fancy Hat Day and Sports Day and we go skiing in February four times.” Mansonville Elementary, a school that is exciting, small and big of heart.If you looking for that little extra in a school for your child this may be the school for you.Pierre Marziali Pharmacist Familiprix pierre.niarzialKs'faniiliprix.ooni Hours: Mon.-Wed.9-8 p.m.Thurs.sherbrookerecord.com website: www.sherbrookerecord.com Kenneth Wells Publisher.Jen Young Editor.Joe Shizzi Corresp Editor.Diana Simpson Secretary .Lynda bejlavance Advertising Michel Duval Advertising .800 463-9525 (819) 569-6345 (819)5696345 (450)242-1188 (450)242-6892 800 463-9525 CIRCULATION Distributed to all Record subscribers every Wednesday as an insert, and to households and businesses in Aberrom, Bedford, Brigham, Brome, Bromont, Cowansville, East Earnham, Foster, Fulford, Knowlton (Brome take), Sutton, Holton Centre, West Brome.The Record was founded on February 7.1897.and acquired the Sherbrooke Examiner (est.1879) in 1905 and the Sherbrooke Gazette (est.1837) in 1908.The Record is published by Alla Newspaper Group Limited Partnership.Canadian Publications Mail Service Product Agreement No.0479675.Member ABC, CARD, CNA, QCNA ,»»fi»*'1 JRD JOLYRIENDEAU&DUKEca (COWANSVIlll) INC Taxation, Accounting, Financial Services, Estate Planning and Settlement, Farm Transfers Cowansville Sherbrooke 127 Principale, Suite 105 3490 Galt West Cowansville Sherbrooke (450) 263-4123 (819) 566-2575 KNOWLEDGE AND KNOW-HOW.fit • ÀftH < oiiiiJir