Skip to content

Many volunteered to be part of McE basketball camp

“It’s spring! It’s spring!I saw a robin,” chirped a youngster as she raced across the playground in her brightly coloured dress.
80237stettlerSES
SES students enjoyed the mini basketball camp last week.

Although spring officially arrived in March, Camp McE, Stettler Music Festival, playground clean-up and yes, robins, are sure signs that spring really is here!

The 18th annual Camp McE began Friday, April 17. The first weekend saw lots of hard working, enthusiastic basketball players in attendance. Mr. McElroy would have been very pleased. Students from Grade 1 through Grade 5 participated. In total, there were 104 students playing basketball. Several Stettler Middle School and high school students volunteered to help Mrs. Poapst coach the elementary students. From SMS Willow Sorenson, Gerson Gamponia, Kirk Kromm, Taylor Kobi, Morgan Bengert, Sid Kobi, Tori Brower and Kassy Diegel were all helping the younger students. In addition, Kodi Nicholas, Mikayla Torgerson, Syd Poapst, Megan Kobi, Shayna Brower, Sadie Diegel, Jessica Lane, Marissa Paley, Keyonna Derr, Jeff Ternes, and Kyle Poapst from the high school were sharing their knowledge and love of the game in an effort to help these budding basketball stars reach their potential. Also helping this year is Jamie Ternes, a Red Deer College student, and former SES mini basketball player. The time and expertise of all these student volunteers is greatly appreciated. Mrs. Poapst is very pleased with the support of the parents, the dedication of the coaches and the help given to the program by the wonderful SES teachers who help students remember the schedule and ensure they all arrive safely at the gym after school. Likewise, Camp McE relies on the support of Mrs. Ternes, SES office manager, to help with organizational details. It also goes without saying that the support of the school’s administration is critical to the ongoing success of Camp McE.

After many days of preparation for the Stettler Music Festival, the big day finally arrived Wednesday, April 15. All students in grades 1 through 5 performed on stage in the PAC to a packed audience of parents, grandparents and of course the adjudicator, Mrs. Tara Kearney from Red Deer. Mrs. Lynes directed the Grade 1 and 2 students while Mrs. Kirby directed the Show Choir and the Grade 3,4 and 5 students. It is always amazing how these two very skilled and talented music teachers can draw out the talents in each of their students. The audience watch in awe as the melodies filled the PAC. In what seemed to be an effortless endeavor, the students sang, danced and played a variety of instruments. It was just amazing.

Meanwhile, off stage, Stettler Elementary School functioned like a well- tuned orchestra as homeroom teachers walked their classes to and from the PAC; arriving at exactly the proper time, picking up precisely placed props and instruments as they slipped silently on stage. What magic.

In addition, Mrs. Hunter’s and Mrs. Boyd-Stadelmann’s classes collectively performed two poems. Filled with expression and emphasis at all the right spots, the students’ voices recited line after line, as the audience listened in admiration. Mrs. Boyd-Stadelmann’s and Mrs. Hunter’s talents in choral speech instruction certainly make the students shine.

Stettler Elementary School has always appreciated and supported the Stettler Music Festival in any way possible. For more than a decade, SES Incredible Introducers, a public speaking program at the school, has provided students who introduce the adjudicators. This is a great opportunity for students to have an opportunity to practice the life-long skill of speaking in front of an audience and it helps welcome the adjudicators to Stettler.

In anticipation of Earth Day, which is Wednesday, April 22, Mrs. Fox’s Grade 5 students scoured the playground picking up any trash that had accumulated over the winter. Placing garbage safely in garbage bins or picking up any bits that we see is something all citizens need to do on a daily bases. It is certainly part of being a responsible world citizen and proud Canadian. However, we want to extend a special thank-you to Mrs. Fox and her students who helped take care of our earth this week by completing a spring clean-up.

Mrs. Baltimore, along with many other school librarians from across central Alberta, attended an all-day workshop, Thursday, April 16, to learn about new ideas for libraries. School libraries are now to be called, and thought of as, "Learning Commons." Alberta Education has been working hard to ensure that these school spaces are growing with our students’ needs and Mrs. Baltimore is happy to report that Stettler Elementary School’s library is right on track! She is excited to have learned new ways to engage and excite the students about reading and looks forward to incorporating them into the school.

Friday morning, students enjoyed an earlier than usual recess, so they would be ready for a special presentation: Stettler Elementary Festival Highlights. Risers, student instruments, a keyboard and mics were all quickly moved into the gym creating a temporary stage and the show was soon underway as the last of the students moved into position. If they were not on the risers preforming the number they had so proudly presented at the Music Festival, they were seated quietly on the floor enjoying the talents of other students. Everyone enjoyed this magnificent talent show! As a closing number, Mrs. Kirby led the singing and Mrs. Lynes played the piano as the entire student body sang Happy Birthday to Mrs. Fox.