Amazing day!

Dear Editor,
On Thursday, Sept 29th, 130 students in the Rainy River District met at Crossroads school to play chess. It was an amazing, wonderful day.
The most common comment from parents, teachers and principals who dropped in was “ This is amazing. I had no idea chess was so popular.” This is because there are if there are only one or two students in each classroom who are really keen on chess they are isolated. In our rural schools, with 6 or fewer classrooms this makes a small group of chess players with a wide age range. But, bring 11 schools together and everyone can see that chess is popular, fun, and growing. And it makes you smarter too.
Attached is a letter of thanks to the Rainy River District School Board who took the simple but important step of making Chess a recognized extracurricular school activity. We would like everyone to know how grateful we are for their support.
Sincerely,
Norma-Jean Johnston
Chair, RR Dist. Chess Assoc.

Open Letter to
Dan Belluz, Chair
Rainy River District School Board
I am writing on behalf of our new Chess Association for the Rainy River District to thank you and the Rainy River District School Board for your support. Last year, a small group of students made a presentation to the board asking that chess be recognized as an extracurricular activity in our schools. You agreed. It is amazing that such a simple step could open so many doors, but it did. Principals cooperated to provide two buses, one from each end of the district. Teachers, Education Assistants and volunteers started chess clubs in their schools. The Northwest Catholic School Board, First Nation schools, and students who are home schooled also participated to make the tournament at Crossroads a huge success. 114 students participated at the Crossroads tournament last year. Over 100 participated in Atikokan.
This year, in order to reach more children, we have formed a District Association. Atikokan had 60 children at their tournament. On Thursday, Sept 29th, 2005, 130 children from 11 schools met at Crossroads school to play chess. These tournaments are part of the 11th Annual Northern Ontario School Chess Championship.
I heard wonderful compliments from parents, teachers and the media, saying how amazing it is to see a school gym filled with 130 children busy and happy playing chess. Every child had fun and learned lots of chess. I want to pass these compliments on to you, because without that first step we would never have achieved this success.
Thank you.
Norma-Jean Johnston,
Chair RR Dist. Chess Assoc.