A student-teacher at Queensborough Middle School is using a poster campaign to help kids swallow the dangers of energy drinks.
Moira Hood wants students to create posters that help middle school students understand the effects of drinking too many of the caffeine-laden drinks.
"I am organizing a poster contest for my class that will act as a 'campaign against energy drinks.' At this point, it is legal for children and teens to buy energy drinks at local convenience stores and grocery stores with no regulation," Moira said in an email to The Record. "It is a real danger to the health of children and teens, especially when they are abused (many teens are abusing energy drinks like they are a drug). The poster contest will provide artwork, researched information about energy drinks, healthy alternatives and ideas on how to fix this problem."
Students will hand in their posters on Monday (March 26).
Homegrown protest singers
Two New Westminster residents have turned the teachers' job action into a musical number and YouTube video.
Marian Lochrie, a teacher and songwriter, and her husband, Don, are in a group called Kick in the Eye. The duo debuted their song at a March 7 Burnaby Teachers' Association rally, my Burnaby NOW colleague Jennifer Moreau recently wrote in her column.
"It went over really well. We are proud to (be) following in the footsteps of music activists like Woody Guthrie and Stompin' Tom Connors," Lochrie told the NOW.
To check out the song's campy video, go to http: // bit.ly/TurnedToMachine. Lochrie plays the part of a teacher, who is terrified by a man in a suit approaching with a sign that says "legislation" - a reference to the government's Bill 22, which will prohibit teachers from striking.
Other songs titles by Kick in the Eye include I Love Trailer Park Boys and Our Canucks, also available on YouTube.
Staff shuffle in New West
It's a new job for a familiar face at the New Westminster School District.
Phil Cookson will become the district's director of human resource services next month, taking over for Bob Tamblyn, who is retiring.
Cookson has been working in New Westminster since 2005, when he was hired as the principal of Glenbrook Middle School.
In 2009, he was promoted into the position of district principal of community education, where he has worked since.
Send school news to Niki, [email protected].
