FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Students from Queen Victoria School prepare for visit by Governor General Adrienne Clarkson
May 12, 2005, Belleville, Ontario—Students at Queen Victoria School in Belleville will have the experience of a lifetime when Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada visits the school on Thursday, May 19th. Her visit has a special purpose: to read with children.

“The School Council wrote to the Governor General’s office to ask if she would come to the school to read with children and she accepted,” remarks Jamie Robb, Principal of Queen Victoria School. “Everyone is thrilled she is coming. We are busy preparing for her visit and there is a buzz of excitement around the school,” he adds.

Although the visit had been the dream of Mike Malott, a former volunteer at the school, Mr. Malott passed away last fall before the visit could be arranged. Mr. Malott was an historian and always talked about how wonderful it would be for students to meet the Governor General. Mr. Malott had a positive impact on children and established lasting relationships with virtually anyone he met. The School Council, in honour of Mr. Malott, decided to carry on his dream.

“It is an honour to host Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I look forward to welcoming her to the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board and to her meeting and reading with our students,” remarks Judy Edgar, Chair of the Board.

Members of the media are invited to Queen Victoria School, 46 Pine Street, Belleville, Thursday, May 19th at 1:45 p.m. for this very special event.

The Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board has 54 schools serving 18,400 students, employing 1,070 teachers and 705 support staff. The Board covers a wide geographical area of 7,221 square kilometres bordered by Maynooth to the north, Deseronto to the east, Prince Edward County to the south, and Quinte West to the west.

For information, contact:
• Kerry Donnell, Communications Officer, (613) 966-1170, or 1 800 267-4350, ext. 2354