FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Motivated elementary students go beyond their ABC’s at Queen’s University
28 November 2005, Belleville, Ontario—Grade 5 and 6 students will be participating in the Above and Beyond the Curriculum Program (ABC) being offered by Queen’s University Enrichment Studies Unit in Kingston.

The ABC program offers Grade 5 and 6 students an opportunity to participate in a series of stimulating and interactive classes over two days. These activities are a direct extension of the Ontario elementary curriculum and engage students in higher level learning. They will interact with new peers of like ability and interests. This opportunity will encourage students to pursue new ideas, think toward the future and become facilitators in their own learning. Topics of study include: drama, painting, flight, computers, digital recording, robotics, aboriginal culture and forensic science.

“The ABC program meets students’ diverse needs, interests and talents through exciting and challenging learning experiences,” explains Suzanne Cholasta, Special Education Coordinator - Gifted Enrichment.

Two trips have already taken place with great student, staff and parent response to the experience. The next trip will occur on November 28th and 29th with Grade 5 and 6 students from 20 different schools participating. Following this trip, two more ABC trips are scheduled, one in February and another in April.

The Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board has 46 elementary and eight secondary 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 more information, contact:
• Kerry Donnell, Communications Officer, (613) 966-1170 or 1 800 267-4350, extension 2354