-By Sandi Kuntsi
The end of the school year is quickly approaching, and Mustang staff and students are taking advantage of the little time they have left until summer.
On Thursday June 7, Mr. Doane and Ms. Elgie’s Grade 9 geography classes travelled to the old highway in M’Chigeeng where the classes checked out the Limestone Karst topography, and the giant erratics dropped by the melting glaciers along the side of the old highway. A short time later the bus pulled into Mr. Doane’s farm in Big Lake where the horses, Berkshire pigs, Angus cattle and Sophie the barn cat were all admired, fed, ridden and petted. The group then travelled to the Anstice dairy farm in Tehkummah for a tour and explanation of how a modern dairy operation works. The students learned about many topics including the dairy system, ventilation, animal health and comfort, feed ration mixing, safe manure handling, crops, and the regulations and safety of the Canadian Agriculture and Food system. Next was lunch, courtesy of Lake Huron Fish and Chips and a walk and play on Providence Bay beach. The last educational part of their trip was a tour of the Manitoulin Community Abattoir.
After a quick dipping of feet in the disinfecting solution the kids were led around the plant by Mrs. Birgit Martin, owner of the Northland Agromart. The students learned about numerous topics including the humane treatment of animals, cleanliness and the rigorous government inspection standards, and where the various parts of an animal carcass end up. Then it was outside to check out the natural water filtration system and the composting pits. The group stopped for slushies and pictures on the way back to MSS, and celebrated an informational day.
Four Grade 12 students have been nominated for the valedictorian position in the graduating class of 2018: Jacob Maxwell, Kendra Jordison, Alicia Williamson and James Scott. The four candidates presented to their classes reasons why they would be a good representative of the class on June 11. The Grade 12s then had a chance to vote on which candidate they wanted. The Grade 12s are all starting to study for their exams and culminating to get through the last part of high school before graduation on June 28.
Ms. Bauer took 27 senior students to Stratford Festival from June 6-9. The group saw four shows: ‘The Music Man,’ ‘To Kill a Mockingbird,’ ‘The Tempest’ and ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show.’ The students also got to participate in a post-show talk with an actor in the ‘Tempest,’ a costume warehouse tour, and exploring the shops, galleries and culture of Stratford. Many of the students enjoyed dressing up and participating in the ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show,’ and everyone enjoyed the beautiful city of Stratford.
Also coming up is the SHARE/Go-Green E-waste Drive from June 11-15 from 3 to 5 pm and on June 16 from 9 am to 2 pm. This event is open to the Manitoulin community students, and staff. In this win-win program, all components of electronic waste are recycled and a donation is made to WE Charity based on the weight of the collection. This year, SHARE will also be collecting textiles and used clothing for the Ontario Federation of Cerebral Palsy during the E-waste Drive. Community members can bring their e-waste to the basketball court on the south side of MSS where a large bin will be used for collection. Items for collection can include TV screens and monitors, telephones and answering machines, desktop and laptop computers and components, printers, photocopiers, music players and speakers, DVD or VCR players, car stereos, as well as cellular and handheld devices.
