NLIS 2
May 3, 2002
(Forest Resources and Agrifoods)

 

Minister launches Inspector McTree children�s book initiative

Rick Woodford, Minister of Forest Resources and Agrifoods, today announced a new children�s book initiative for elementary schools in the province that will help increase children�s awareness of the importance of our forest resources. The launch of the department�s Inspector McTree school book initiative took place during a ceremony at C.C. Loughlin Elementary School in Corner Brook. The event was also held to celebrate National Forest Week which begins on Sunday, May 5.

The initiative will see two complete sets of the Inspector McTree children�s book series provided to every elementary school in Newfoundland and Labrador. As well, the author and illustrator of the Inspector McTree book series, Marie Faulds Resmer, will conduct a two-week tour of elementary schools throughout the province which will commence during National Forest Week. Ms. Resmer will visit approximately 30 schools where she will be conducting in-class reading sessions with hundreds of young elementary school students.

Minister Woodford said: "As resource managers, we are glad to be able to make these children�s books available in our schools and help our young children learn more about our forest ecosystem and the important role it plays in our everyday lives. Each of the five books in the series are well structured and provide an entertaining teaching resource for educators, youth group leaders and parents to inform our children about the environment, the true value of our forest resource and competing forest values."

The minister said the Inspector McTree children�s book initiative greatly compliments this year�s National Forest Week theme, Bio Diversity...All Things Big and Small. "These books provide a unique perspective of the diversity which exists in our forest ecosystems. They cleverly deal with the biodiversity theme as they explore such topics as wildlife interaction, reforestation, forest protection and recycling, just to name a few. National Forest Week is a time to reflect on the importance of our forest resources and we are pleased to launch our school book initiative as a kick-off to National Forest Week."

Minister Woodford also acknowledged the contribution of Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Limited and the Canadian Forest Service to the Inspector McTree initiative. "Both Corner Brook Pulp and Paper and the Canadian Forest Service continue to demonstrate their commitment to fostering education and promoting exploration of forest ecosystems. Our department is grateful for the contribution of both partners to the Inspector McTree initiative and the Corner Brook Forest Capital of Canada 2002 celebrations."

The Corner Brook Forest Capital of Canada 2002 committee has designated the Inspector McTree initiative as one of its key legacy projects planned for implementation throughout the year. With the assistance of the committee, more than 2,300 books will be distributed to all Kindergarten - Grade Six school libraries throughout the entire province. The Inspector McTree series will be made available to over 40,000 primary and elementary school-aged children.

The schedule for Marie Faulds Resmer in-class reading sessions is as follows:

Friday, May 3
10:30 A.M. C.C.               Loughlin Elementary, Corner Brook

                                      *Official Launch with Minister Woodford*
12:30 P.M.                      Humber Elementary, Corner Brook

Monday, May 6
9:00 A.M.                        Stephenville Primary, Stephenville
1:00 P.M.                        Stephenville Elementary, Stephenville

Tuesday, May 7
9:00 A.M.                        Sacred Heart Elementary, Corner Brook
10:30 A.M.                      St. Gerard�s Elementary, Corner Brook
1:00 P.M.                        North Shore Elementary, Meadows

Wednesday, May 8
9:00 A.M.                        St. James All Grade, Lark Harbour
10:30 A.M.                      St. Peter�s Academy, Benoit�s Cove
1:00 P.M.                        J.J. Curling, Corner Brook

Thursday, May 9
9:00 A.M.                        Holy Cross All Grade, Daniel�s Harbour
10:30 A.M.                      St. Francis Elementary, Parsons Pond
1:00 P.M.                        Cow Head Complex, Cow Head

Friday, May 10
9:00 A.M.                        Rocky Harbour Elementary, Rocky Harbour
11:00 A.M.                      Bonne Bay Academy, Woody Point
12:30 P.M.                      Jakeman All Grade, Trout River

Monday, May 13
9:00 A.M.                        Grand Falls Woodland Primary, Grand Falls-Windsor
1:00 P.M.                        Botwood School, Botwood

Tuesday, May 14
8:45 A.M.                        Gander Academy, Gander
1:00 P.M.                        Carmenville School Complex, Carmenville

Wednesday, May 15
9:00 A.M.                        Matthew Elementary, Bonavista
12:50 P.M.                      Clarenville Primary, Clarenville

Thursday, May 16
10:00 A.M.                      Sacred Heart Elementary, Marystown
1:00 P.M.                        Jameson Elementary, Burin

Friday, May 17
8:45 A.M.                        St. Mary�s Elementary, St. John�s
1:00 P.M.                        St. Peter�s Academy, Mt. Pearl

Tuesday, May 21
8:45 A.M.                        Peacock Academy, Happy Valley-Goose Bay
10:30 A.M.                      Mud Lake School, Mud Lake

Tuesday, May 22
9:00 A.M.                        BL Morrison, Postville

Thursday, May 23
9:00 A.M.                        Main River Academy, Pollard�s Point
10:45 A.M.                      Hampden Academy, Hampden
1:00 P.M.                        Howley Elementary, Howley

Friday, May 24
9:00 A.M.                        Elwood Primary, Deer Lake
10:30 A.M.                      Pasadena Elementary, Pasadena
2:00 P.M.                        St. James Elementary, Port aux Basques

For more information regarding the tour of elementary schools, please contact Mike Parsons, (709) 637-2919 or Craig Renouf, (709) 637-2923.

Media contact: Sonia B. Glover, Director of Communications, (709) 729-6183 or 685-6612..

2002 05 03                            11:25 a.m.


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