An innovative use of bridge as an enrichment tool is unique to School District 2

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If you're a District 2 middle school student who's good at math, you may meet Marilyn MacDiarmid. And you just might find yourself learning to play bridge.

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Learning to play bridge teaches young people skills that go beyond the classroom, like patience and courtesy.

"I've been teaching bridge to enriched math students for about ten years now," says Marilyn. "Bridge teaches children to develop their minds, to think without a computer, and to respect each other." Marilyn was an honours math student herself, and became an enriched math teacher with a degree from Mount Allison University.

After her retirement she had a bout with cancer, and was looking for something to occupy her mind. A bridge player herself, she heard that in England a 'mini-bridge' game developed in the Netherlands was very popular in schools.

Marilyn uses 'mini-bridge' with Grade 4 students in the Forest Glen School, and to teach bridge fundamentals. Her middle school students all play regular bridge.

"They learn so much," Marilyn says keenly. "Not just math and thinking skills, either. They learn to be polite, not to tease or bully each other, and to be quiet while others are playing. They develop social skills, learn to respect each other."

School District 2 is the only school system in North America to offer bridge as part of its programme, not just as an extra-curricular activity. In the Riverview Middle School, Marilyn and bridge partners Mollie Legere and Bill McNichol work with 32 students every Wednesday. Marilyn works in other district schools with local volunteers.

"In July the first ever Youth North American Bridge Championship is going to be held in Atlanta, Georgia," she says. "12 students from District 2 will be going, and eight of them are from Riverview." Two quite famous people are going to be at the Championship. They are both avid bridge players, and donate money to see that bridge is taught to young people.

"The kids are hoping that while they're in Atlanta they'll meet bridge partners Bill Gates and Warren Buffet," share Marilyn. For those not heading to Atlanta, there's always the annual local bridge tournament in which around 96 children participate. And, for those who keep their bridge going after middle school, more excitement could lie ahead. This year Moncton High student John McGuire, who started playing in Marilyn's school programme, is the first alternate for Canada's Olympic Bridge Team.

"Bridge, along with chess, has become a trial Olympic mind sport," explains Marilyn. "This is the third Olympics for bridge. It's played after the main Olympics, and John is the youngest member of Canada's 24-and-Under Team."

Being an enriched math student in District 2 middle schools can, it seems, have its perks. Some students have even told Marilyn that the only time their thinking skills are really tested is when they're playing bridge.

"It's doing a lot for me as well," Marilyn says. "I'm enjoying this in my senior years. I'm thankful. It's done so much for me to work with these children."