FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Centennial Secondary History students to meet the Prime Minister and veterans
09 November 2005, Belleville, Ontario—Remembrance Day will have special meaning for a Grade 10 History class at Centennial Secondary School. Prime Minister Paul Martin and two veterans will visit the school and spend time with students on Thursday, November 10th.

The purpose of the visit is to bring together students and veterans through the Memory Project, a bilingual education program which connects veterans and youth in person and over the Internet. The program is an initiative of the Dominion Institute, a national charity that promotes Canadian History.

“It is truly an honour for a school of Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board to host Prime Minister Paul Martin and two war veterans on the eve of Remembrance Day,” remarks Judy Edgar, Chair of the Board. “HPEDSB continues to attract provincial and national attention because of our system’s focus on respect and responsibility for the past, present and future of students and communities.

Through the Memory Project, curriculum-based, multi-media resources are made available to schools. Educators are encouraged to host a veteran visitor to interact with students. Hundreds of veterans from World War II, the Korean War or modern peacekeeping missions who are involved in the project share their personal experiences with young Canadians.

“Being involved in the Memory Project has been a valuable educational experience for our Grade 10 History class,” explains Mandy Savery-Whiteway, Principal of Centennial Secondary School. “They are anxious to meet the Prime Minister and learn from the veterans about their wartime and peacekeeping experiences.”

MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO A PHOTO OPPORTUNITY

DATE: Thursday, November 10th
LOCATION: Centennial Secondary School, meet in the main foyer
TIME: 9:00 a.m.
WHAT:
• Tour of the Art Gallery and an Art classroom with the Prime Minister
• Open coverage of the Prime Minister’s and veteran’s remarks

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