STETTLER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL -- What an incredibly fun week at Stettler Elementary School...
On Wednesday, Jan. 13, staff at the school took almost 120 students in grades 4 through 6 to Canyon Ski Hill for the first of three skiing trips this year. Students were able to choose snowboarding or skiing, and were provided with lessons from the staff at the ski hill. We also had several parents attend and provide assistance for our students as well. It was fabulous to hear all the chatter and giggling as our students replayed all of their adventures on the ski hill during the ride back to Stettler. For many students, this was their first opportunity to ski and for some it may be the only time that they have this chance, so it is such a worthwhile endeavour for our students.
Our Grade 5/6 students also continued to work on basketball skills and learned basketball related games this past Monday as they met together after school as part of the extracurricular program. Our Grade 4-6 students are also continuing to work on choral speech. Each grade meets on different days to learn lines and to practice performing and intonation. These students are working on public speaking skills and will perform in front of the adjudicators in April as part of the Music Festival.
Our youngest students also enjoyed a couple of very educational and enjoyable days as "The Bread Lady" came to visit us. On Monday, Jan. 18, and Tuesday, Jan. 19, Mrs. Joanna Nesom of Let's Bake traveled to Stettler to make bread with our playschool students. The Bread Lady first began with the whole group, during circle time, to discuss what the day would look like and share an interactive story. The students then learned about the wheat grinding process, the parts of a grain of wheat, and the importance and practice of thorough hand washing. Each child was then outfitted with a baker's hat and apron, and in groups of four the children used the supplied ingredients to make their own batch of bread. While the bread was "resting," each child made a cinnamon knot for their own personal snack. After their areas were cleaned up, the students went back to circle time to learn how wheat is planted, grows, and is harvested and then the children were able to rotate through various stations set up around the playschool. Overall, the students had a great time and learned a lot about where bread comes from and how it is made. As well, I am certain that their families enjoyed the fruits of their labour at supper time once they were home.
During this upcoming week, our students will once again enjoy skiing, The Steadfast Tin Soldier (a cultural performance brought to us by Alberta Opera, Subway lunch on Friday, and Penguin Day for our kindergarten students. Always a busy and fun time at the school.