She Said: Power of the Pool
I was surprised this week when Moncton City Council voted to replace the outdoor pool at the Moncton East Youth Centre. A refurbished outdoor pool, as promised in 2013, is the solution most of us…
Category: Published
She Said: Compromising Solution?
There’s been a lot talk about libraries in Moncton these past two years. Mostly around the question of whether or not the current Moncton Public Library should be moved to be the anchor tenant in…
She Said: Embracing Unstructured Outdoor Play
I was amazed to hear the statistic this week that, on average, North American children are only spending four to seven minutes a day outside playing. Last year, a UK report concluded that more than one in nine children had not visited a park, forest, beach, or other natural environment in more than a year. I’d like to think our numbers in New Brunswick would be a bit more encouraging, but that doesn’t mean we’re not catching up.
She Said: Celebrate Immunization Week, not Weak
Very few parents in this country are opposed to immunizations; only about 2% of the population is anti-vaccine. So why are so many children not getting the recommend vaccinations?
She Said: Five Hour Kindergarten in New Brunswick
The province is piloting a five hour Kindergarten class for New Brunswick students in 17 schools, beginning in September 2018. The details are sparse, but the intention seems to be focused on improving and expanding the play-based curriculum model, not just more time sitting in class. New Brunswick’s current four-hour day is among the shortest in the country.
She Said: Home Cooked Magic
I honestly don’t know what we would have done for meals without the kindness of strangers who keep the fridge at the Ronald McDonald Room filled with home-cooked goodness – or those few quiet moments to talk without the beeping of hospital machines filtering through.
She Said: Appreciating Celtic Awareness Week in New Brunswick
Creating a week that promotes an appreciation for the Celtic influences in our province can only help deepen our collective pride and understanding of our history, as well as celebrate our current cultural assets. A slow and steady investment in the Gaelic language and culture of Nova Scotia has boosted the language in that province and created employment opportunities and a culture that has retained and attracted many young Gaelic speakers.
She Said: Amalgamation is No Joke
Amalgamation in Nova Scotia has been a bumpy ride, and one that still didn’t fix all the problems. But it shouldn’t be relegated to pranks and April Fool’s Day jokes. Amalgamation is an uncomfortable topic, but one we have to embrace. Let’s stop ignoring the elephant in the province. Let’s jump on its back and ride it to a more financially-sustainable future.
She Said: Over the Over-the-Top Holidays
I’m not saying we shouldn’t have fun celebrating occasions. Bake a leprechaun trap. Build a gingerbread city. Buy your family gifts when you want to. But let’s make sure we’re doing these things because they bring us joy, and create family memories, and match up with our values. Not because we feel pressured to perform. Let’s also keep that in mind when we share our stories. Not everyone can afford the same gifts or create the same experiences. Let’s post photos of smiling faces and the people we’re spending time with, not the things that surround us. You can be proud of providing for your family without broadcasting it to the world.
She Said: Being Proud To Be In This Place
We need the diverse values and interests that shape the Greater Moncton Area to be reflected back at us in everything from kids’ books to TEDxMoncton talks to trailers before movies. Honestly, consider the question: why do you live here? If the only answer you have is because it’s where you were born, that’s frankly not enough. We all deserve to be passionate about the place we call home.