BY NADINE ARMSTRONG

The Hants Journal

NovaNewsNow.com



Dr. Arthur Hines School celebrated 40 years of success last week with a 1960s theme assembly.

Students, teachers and many guests gathered to take a walk down memory lane and pay tribute to a community school, which has, as Superintendent of Schools Norman Dray put it, “provided the foundation for many productive lives.�

Students and guests reflected on 40 years of education and commitment to community through music, activities and presentations. School Principal Hazel Dill pointed out that a celebration such as this only worked because people could still remember the school 40 years ago. It is a community school, and former teachers and students are still living and working in the same community.�

Former School principal Mr. Colton submitted a letter which was read during the assembly, recalling the early days when the school was first built. “When the school was new, we were all so in awe of the building, children and teachers whispered in the halls and classrooms.� The letter also reflected on community involvement that was present even in the early stages of the schools conception. “Everyone who was involved in the school looked after each other,� Colton said.

Looking after each other seems to be a matter of continuity at Dr. Arthur Hines. “This is a very community oriented school, said Board Chair Lavinia Parrish-Zwicker. “The school and community live the concept that it takes a whole village to raise a child.�

This innovative approach to community education has lead to strong partnerships between the school and local businesses such as waste management in Cogmagun which presented the school with a $5,000 donation. “This is the second year they have done this for us,� said Principle Dill.

‘They do this because they feel if they are in this community they want to contribute.

The Hants Shore Health clinic has been sharing resources with the school for years, collaborating on many programs from parent and tot, stress management, literacy, and healthy eating. The school acts not only as an educational institution but a community center, a place where families can grow, learn share and contribute. Dray described the school as a “true reflection of the people and values of this community. It sets itself up as an example of how communities can support their school through all kinds of mechanisms.�

As the assembly wrapped up, a time capsule was opened and 40 years of history came tumbling out. Along with pop culture items such as toys and comic books there were also school scrapbooks, primary class pictures, photo albums and best wishes from students.

“It was amazing to see all that,� said Dill. “I was trying to remember where I was at the time the capsule was created – I think I was teaching grade two.�

Students and teachers will take time over the next school year to formulate ideas of how to continue tracking its history. One possible idea will be a “where are you now� board in the hall and perhaps the creation of another time capsule. Dill is confident that the students there today will still be involved and said, “we will take this event and use it over the year as a springboard, for ideas, knowing that in years to come these students themselves will be keeping track for us.�