ARTICLE

Letters to the Editor

Spring 2008

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re: Attawapiskat campaign

I’m writing to urge members to get involved in a campaign for a school in the FirstNations community of Attawapiskat on the James Bay coast. When it opened in 1976the J.R. Nakogee Elementary School in Attawapiskat was a source of community prideand a community gathering place as well as a school. In 1999, because of fumes from along-undetected leaking diesel fuel tank under it, the school was condemned. Its 400students were “temporarily” (according to Indian and Native Affairs Canada) placed intoportable classrooms. Today Attawapiskat children are still in those “temporary”portables. Three years ago, Charlie Angus, the MP for the Timmins-James Bay riding,encouraged students at Iroquois Falls Public School to speak out for Attawapiskat andwe began a letter writing campaign (see Voice, Summer2005). Another campaign iswell underway. This time we are using homemade postcards about 17cm X 11cm, withstudent drawings on the front and a message on the back addressed to Chuck Strahl, the current minister of Indian Affairs. Charlie Angus’ website, atawapiskat.com, hasmore information including a You Tube video and the address for Chuck Strahl. I urgeETFO members to use this opportunity to bring social studies to life in the classroomand support our campaign.

Chi Megweech/Thank you.
Fran Côté, retired teacher, Ontario North East District School Board

re: it’s Child’s Play… And it matters! (February 2008)

Thank you for this insightful article about “play” meeting curriculum expectations inkindergarten. How many times have kindergarten teachers commented, “My studentsdon’t have time to play, we are too busy engaged in work”? Play IS the independentwork of children. I have maintained centres for structure and and free play in my classroom and feel that my students benefit from the variety of activities that help toenrich oral communication, interpersonal skills, and their imaginations. For example,they play checkers (math and problem solving), make playdough bird’s nests (science),read to dolls (language), dance to the Dinosaur Rock (music), build ramps and createpuppet plays (drama), and make boats out of boxes at the craft table (fine-motor skills). We need to remember that children need a balance of work, play, and physicaland emotional wellness at school too!