Students write book about miners;
Cape Breton Post 06-20-2003
Publication: Cape Breton Post
Edition: Final
Section: Glace Bay/New Waterford
Page: B3
Date: 06-20-2003
By: Sharon Montgomery
Story Type: News
NEW WATERFORD-- NEW WATERFORD - Students at St. Agnes Elementary School set
out to complete a literacy project and become authors.
Principal Ron Desveaux said they wanted the students involved in a literacy
project which would reflect the culture of their community, so they were
sent out to interview coal miners.
The end result is the publication of a book.
"What came back far exceeded our expectations. We had originally thought we
might put a few of the stories together in a pamphlet but we were so
impressed with the stories, we compiled them and have since published a
book."
The book called, A Collection of Coal Miners Stories, is a collection of 120
stories, documents, trials, tribulations and antidotes on coal mining, from
the hearts of the men who worked in the coal mines.
Desveaux said living in a former coal mining town, it was always natural to
hear stories on the mines. Since the mines have closed, the chances for the
children to hear those stories is becoming more remote.
"We felt it would be wonderful for these children to sit with their parents,
grandparents or an uncle and hear some of these stories."
The stories are a mix of humorous stories as well as tragedies.
One child wrote about the games his grandfather played with the rats in the
mines, while another wrote about the day his grandfather saved the life of a
young miner, digging his buried body out with his hands.
Many of the children wrote about how young their loved ones were - as young
as 11 - when they started working in the coal mines to support their
families. Another wrote the song his grandfather sang while going down in
the mines.
Shaun Syms, vice-principal and Grade 6 teacher, said all of the
approximately 250 Grades Primary-6 students took part in the project.
"The Primary and Grade 1 students had help from home and the Grade 6
students went out and interviewed people and came back and wrote up a
story."
He said last names are not used in the stories, however it seems everyone is
identifying with them.
"People are saying, 'I can remember that story.' The book is reviving
memories
and great discussions in the community."
He said Robinson's Print Craft has had 500 copies printed and has already
sold 400.
"The project ended up taking on a life of its own. The response has been
overwhelming, one parent has already been in to purchase their ninth book."
Syms said they are thinking of getting a few more hundred printed, as there
will be 3,000 people coming home for New Waterford Coal Dust Days and the
New Waterford Homecoming this year and they feel it would be a nice memento
for people to take back home with them afterwards.
"It is a keepsake for people for years to come."
Syms said they are appreciative to partners in the community who supported
them with this project, including the New Waterford Credit Union, which came
on board as a major sponsor.
"They provided significant funding of $2,700 for this project. It cost us
$4,000 for the printing, so the credit union's donation really helped us
out."
He said the United Mine Workers of America, New ERA and the federal
government also contributed money.
The coil-blinded book sells for $5.
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2003 Cape Breton Post
Start Page: B3
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Date: 06-20-2003
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THANKS TO CAROL MACLEAN FOR THIS