of education month. This year's theme has been "Literacy: The Only Way to Go'' and Island school children have been focusing on reading , writing, art, music, and dance.

Students studied Black History this month . Prospect Primary P4 class, taught by Beverly-Ann Taylor, learned about inventions by black inventors and this motivated the class to do some inventing of their own such as a money machine and a personal robot.

The official opening of Education Month was February 1 at City Hall, Hamilton and many preschoolers were present demonstrating and illustrating characters from books which they had read. Devonshire Preschool children wore hats taken from "The Very Hungry Caterpillar'', book of the month, by Eric Carle.

Many students traveled to City Hall during the month and enthusiastically gave delightful performances singing and dancing. Dale Butler, MP, attended several of these functions. He commended parents, teachers and children and encouraged the students to study hard to prepare for the future. He urged students to read, read, read.

The concept of celebrating education during February began 15 years ago when the Minister of Education thought our community should be made acutely aware of the many positive events and exemplary programmes which were happening in our public schools.

Education Month's mission statement reads: "A literate community shapes the future. Education Month's focus on literacy is designed to highlight the components skills of literacy and to illustrate the role that literacy plays in developing individual and community competencies.'' This year The Education Ministry has placed considerable emphasis on literacy, that is, language skills, and various initiatives have occurred: Principals have ensured more reading at school and at home. For example, St.

George's Preparatory's Mrs. Mary Lodge implemented the 5-5-5-5 scheme. For 1-5 weeks students participate by reading 5 days per week. Over the 5 days they read at least 5 hours and watch no more that 5 hours of television. Parents sign a form which is returned to school each Monday. If a child is successful to sticking to the scheme for one week they win a certificate. After three weeks they receive an award ribbon and an ice cream sandwich. Students who are successful for five weeks will win a pizza, a book token and the choice of a book for the library. Mrs. Lodge believes, "Books to the reading child, are so much more than books, they are dreams and knowledge, they are a future and a past.'' Training has been provided to teachers to enhance their skills in the teaching of reading.

Educators have administered system wide tests to identify those areas when additional resource need to be placed to promote language skills.

Parents are being encouraged to read to their children and to listen to their children read on a regular basis.

Schools are holding read-ins during the month so parents and other members of the community may support schools in promoting literacy.

A special feature, a spelling bee, will be hosted by The Continental Society with the support of the Ministry at the Ruth Seaton James Auditorium at 7 p.m.

February 27. Student participants will be from primary and middle schools.

This Education Supplement is proud to provide a forum of expression to celebrate literacy. We hope you enjoy the writings and drawings of some of the Island's talented students from the public schools.

EDUCATION MONTH MINI SUPPLEMENT ED