by David Jacombs Jr.
In the June edition of this newsletter, I discussed the impact that Riverside Consolidated School (RCS) has had on my family. Now, I'd like to address how the faculty and students feel about their school. I sat down with Principal Jeff Keirstead, near the end of the school year, to discuss the school and find out more about it.
In the June edition of this newsletter, I discussed the impact that Riverside Consolidated School (RCS) has had on my family. Now, I'd like to address how the faculty and students feel about their school. I sat down with Principal Jeff Keirstead, near the end of the school year, to discuss the school and find out more about it.
David: Just to get some back story for us newcomers, how long has the school been operating?
Jeff: The school is the oldest operating school in the province, it was built in 1905. The fact that we have been around since 1905 plays into our sense of community. Many students have gone through the doors of the school and have great
memories. Those alumni are a key in keeping our connection to the community.
David: What do you want new community members to know about the school?
Jeff: We are a kindergarten to grade five community school with four homeroom classes currently. We have a student population of 49 students. We also house a fully licensed daycare in our building.
David: What is your most important value at the school?
Jeff: Safety of our students is our top priority but after that would be student learning and our sense of community within the building and surrounding areas. We partner with several organizations and businesses such as the Albert County Food Bank, Foods of the Fundy Valley, Food Depot Alimentaire, Horizon Health, Shepody Fish and Game, the Albert County Exhibition, Sapranos Pizza in Alma and the Chipoudy Communities Revitalization Committee. Just to name a few.
David: What makes this school unique or different?
Jeff: I think our history makes us unique as well as the area. Riverside is a great place to live. We are nestled between Fundy Park and the Hopewell Rocks, two of the largest tourism draws in the province. So, there are many outdoor activities that are available in the area. We are close enough to the city to have access to everything you need and far enough away that we don't really experience the issues of larger centers. I think that way of life is reflected in our school culture. Due to our size, we are not able to offer any sports clubs or teams, but we are able to offer physical education classes every day which is unique to the school. We also offer FLORA, which is French Learning Opportunities for Rural Areas to our K-4 students. There are also 3 bursaries that are unique to RCS. These are offered to former students of RCS who have graduated grade 12 and are pursuing post-secondary education. The Parker and Myrna Elliott Memorial Bursary, The RCS Anniversary Bursary and the RCS Community Bursary.
David: Where do you see the school's direction over the next few years?
Jeff: I hope to see growth in our student population. The entire province's population is growing, and I hope to see ours grow along with it. We are excited to see the construction of our new playground this summer, which wouldn't have happened without the initiative of the community. A grass roots group of community members began fundraising for a new playground a few years ago. They held several fundraisers and raised over 50 thousand dollars, but the cost of a playground was over 250 thousand. The group applied for grants and were successful in getting an ACOA grant which covered most of the cost. You may have seen our most recent bricks fundraiser which has recently finished. This was to help bridge the gap in our fundraising account to complete the project. The new playground is scheduled to begin construction this summer.
David: What would you like to highlight about the school?
Jeff: I would want the public to know how lucky we are to have such a great community school in our backyard. Our class sizes are small which enables the teachers to get to know all the students. We provide free hot lunch twice a week with the help of some great volunteers. We have free breakfast everyday as well as snacks for recess or lunch. Through some of our partnerships we can offer unique activities such as curling at the Fundy Curling Club. During the Albert County Exhibition, students participate in activities that are offered by the Fair Committee. Also, we usually have special meals during various times of the year at the school such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. Foods of the Fundy Valley have sponsored these events. Another unique partnership is with the Canadian Wildlife Service who were looking to update the display kiosk at Mary's Point. Our students received a presentation on the shorebird migration and then during their art classes created artwork that is now part of the display at Mary's point. I would also like to recognize the Elliott family who have maintained the flower bed in front of the school for several years. Each spring the family meets at the school to weed and plant new flowers and plants to ensure the grounds in front of the school look inviting. You won't find that at many other schools.
After meeting with Mr. Keirstead, I took to the streets (or the classrooms) and talked with the kids themselves. I asked two
questions - What is the best thing about your school? and What would you improve at your school? I wanted to know if they felt the same way my son did. And well, here are the comments, raw, unrated, and honest.
Wade (kindergarten)
1.What is the best thing about your school?
I love school cause you can learn and teach.
2. What would you improve at your school?
A playground to make beside the school. It would be genius.
Rosie (kindergarten)
1.What is the best thing about your school?
Gym because you get really tired out and its good for you.
2.What would you improve at your school?
Make statues that look like animals out of rock because it would look nice around the hall.
James (10-year-old grade 4/5)
1.What is the best thing about your school?
The people, teachers, and math class.
2.What would you improve at your school?
New bathrooms, vending machine, new desks, paved driveway.
Carter (9-year-old grade 4/5)
1.What is the best thing about your school?
Outside gym and capture the flag.
2.What would you improve at your school?
More pastures so cows can be closer.
Evening (11-year-old grade 4/5)
1.What is the best thing about your school?
I like how RCS has so many windows and has lots of natural light.
2.What would you improve at your school?
I don't think there is anything I want to change.
The Riverside Consolidated School is a school within the Anglophone East School District. If you would like to register your child to attend this school then please contact the school district office online at asdeast.nbed.ca or by phone at 506-856-3222. The staff and students at RCS look forward to welcoming more students to their classrooms.
Jeff: The school is the oldest operating school in the province, it was built in 1905. The fact that we have been around since 1905 plays into our sense of community. Many students have gone through the doors of the school and have great
memories. Those alumni are a key in keeping our connection to the community.
David: What do you want new community members to know about the school?
Jeff: We are a kindergarten to grade five community school with four homeroom classes currently. We have a student population of 49 students. We also house a fully licensed daycare in our building.
David: What is your most important value at the school?
Jeff: Safety of our students is our top priority but after that would be student learning and our sense of community within the building and surrounding areas. We partner with several organizations and businesses such as the Albert County Food Bank, Foods of the Fundy Valley, Food Depot Alimentaire, Horizon Health, Shepody Fish and Game, the Albert County Exhibition, Sapranos Pizza in Alma and the Chipoudy Communities Revitalization Committee. Just to name a few.
David: What makes this school unique or different?
Jeff: I think our history makes us unique as well as the area. Riverside is a great place to live. We are nestled between Fundy Park and the Hopewell Rocks, two of the largest tourism draws in the province. So, there are many outdoor activities that are available in the area. We are close enough to the city to have access to everything you need and far enough away that we don't really experience the issues of larger centers. I think that way of life is reflected in our school culture. Due to our size, we are not able to offer any sports clubs or teams, but we are able to offer physical education classes every day which is unique to the school. We also offer FLORA, which is French Learning Opportunities for Rural Areas to our K-4 students. There are also 3 bursaries that are unique to RCS. These are offered to former students of RCS who have graduated grade 12 and are pursuing post-secondary education. The Parker and Myrna Elliott Memorial Bursary, The RCS Anniversary Bursary and the RCS Community Bursary.
David: Where do you see the school's direction over the next few years?
Jeff: I hope to see growth in our student population. The entire province's population is growing, and I hope to see ours grow along with it. We are excited to see the construction of our new playground this summer, which wouldn't have happened without the initiative of the community. A grass roots group of community members began fundraising for a new playground a few years ago. They held several fundraisers and raised over 50 thousand dollars, but the cost of a playground was over 250 thousand. The group applied for grants and were successful in getting an ACOA grant which covered most of the cost. You may have seen our most recent bricks fundraiser which has recently finished. This was to help bridge the gap in our fundraising account to complete the project. The new playground is scheduled to begin construction this summer.
David: What would you like to highlight about the school?
Jeff: I would want the public to know how lucky we are to have such a great community school in our backyard. Our class sizes are small which enables the teachers to get to know all the students. We provide free hot lunch twice a week with the help of some great volunteers. We have free breakfast everyday as well as snacks for recess or lunch. Through some of our partnerships we can offer unique activities such as curling at the Fundy Curling Club. During the Albert County Exhibition, students participate in activities that are offered by the Fair Committee. Also, we usually have special meals during various times of the year at the school such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. Foods of the Fundy Valley have sponsored these events. Another unique partnership is with the Canadian Wildlife Service who were looking to update the display kiosk at Mary's Point. Our students received a presentation on the shorebird migration and then during their art classes created artwork that is now part of the display at Mary's point. I would also like to recognize the Elliott family who have maintained the flower bed in front of the school for several years. Each spring the family meets at the school to weed and plant new flowers and plants to ensure the grounds in front of the school look inviting. You won't find that at many other schools.
After meeting with Mr. Keirstead, I took to the streets (or the classrooms) and talked with the kids themselves. I asked two
questions - What is the best thing about your school? and What would you improve at your school? I wanted to know if they felt the same way my son did. And well, here are the comments, raw, unrated, and honest.
Wade (kindergarten)
1.What is the best thing about your school?
I love school cause you can learn and teach.
2. What would you improve at your school?
A playground to make beside the school. It would be genius.
Rosie (kindergarten)
1.What is the best thing about your school?
Gym because you get really tired out and its good for you.
2.What would you improve at your school?
Make statues that look like animals out of rock because it would look nice around the hall.
James (10-year-old grade 4/5)
1.What is the best thing about your school?
The people, teachers, and math class.
2.What would you improve at your school?
New bathrooms, vending machine, new desks, paved driveway.
Carter (9-year-old grade 4/5)
1.What is the best thing about your school?
Outside gym and capture the flag.
2.What would you improve at your school?
More pastures so cows can be closer.
Evening (11-year-old grade 4/5)
1.What is the best thing about your school?
I like how RCS has so many windows and has lots of natural light.
2.What would you improve at your school?
I don't think there is anything I want to change.
The Riverside Consolidated School is a school within the Anglophone East School District. If you would like to register your child to attend this school then please contact the school district office online at asdeast.nbed.ca or by phone at 506-856-3222. The staff and students at RCS look forward to welcoming more students to their classrooms.
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