STETTLER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL -- On Friday, Oct. 14, our Grade 6 students were able to take part in a Flight Day PBL. This Project Based Learning activity incorporated learning from all core subjects. As well, it included guest speaker Gary Fix, an "in-flight" movie, and an "in-flight" meal, arranged and cooked by Ben Huo and his foods class. The meal was very authentic and even included a small banner on a toothpick on the tray. Congratulations to the Grade 6 teachers on putting together such an incredible learning opportunity for our students. This authentic project fit in with the Grade 6 Science unit on flight and aviation and incorporated learning from all subject areas.
A thank you needs to be extended to the Stettler Minor Soccer Association for donating 20 soccer balls to our school. The students are using them during recess and are happy to have the supply of soccer balls replenished. Our parents do a fantastic job of keeping our recess buckets filled and this is a wonderful addition to these recess supplies.
On Monday, Oct. 17, our Kindergarten students went on a field trip to Central Hearing and Vision clinic. It was a great field trip where the students learned all about their eyes and what they can expect when they go to see the eye doctor. The students played a memory game and learned how their eyes get tested for glasses, and saw pictures of the back of an eye. Each student was also given an activity book and a magnet to take home with him/her.
After a week's postponement, we were able to go forth with our Turkey Trot, on Thursday, Oct. 20. Thank you to Kim Poapst for organizing the run. Our Grade 4, 5, and 6 students all predicted their times and then ran the course to see who was closest to their time predictions. We had a total of 227 students participate in the run and Mrs. Lynn's class had 100 per cent participation. Every student who participated (and came in under the 15-minute mark) was rewarded with a DQ gift certificate for a Dilly Bar. Thank you to Dairy Queen for sponsoring this very worthwhile endeavour. Congratulations go out to all of our students who ran and a special congratulations to Kiera Smith, Nathan Deaver, Ellery Robbins, Stefan Oprea, Tyler Miller, Taylor Nelson-Dzioba, and Jaelynn Peterson who all won Jewel Theatre Gift Certificates for guessing their times very close to their actual finishing times. Five of these students guessed within one second of their actual finishing times. Well done to these students, and again to all of the students who participated and did their best during the run. The most impressive part of the run was the camaraderie. It was indeed heart-warming to hear the students cheering one another on, and some of our most struggling runners were the benefactors of the greatest cheering and encouragement.
Our students are learning that winning is not the most important thing and that giving back comes with many rewards. Typically these rewards are intrinsic and result in making us feel good. On Friday, Oct. 21, Reid Shirley was rewarded for his unselfish nature by receiving a homemade "stuffed turkey" created by Mrs. Poapst. This turkey was made with rice krispie squares and stuffed with M&Ms, and it was awarded to Reid for choosing to sacrifice his typical winning run time to run with a student who has more difficulty running than Reid does. He chose to be an encourager instead of a "winner" and for that we think he truly exemplifies the qualities of a winner.
The awards and turkey were presented at our monthly assembly held on Friday afternoon, Oct. 21. Also at the assembly we recognized our student "Leaders of the Week" and Mrs. Lynn, for being named the Female Citizen of the Year. We also celebrated that our students again did an amazing job at raising funds for cancer research during our annual Terry Fox Run. This year the students raised over $17,000, a truly incredible feat. The top three fundraising classes will enjoy a pie party with the principals next week, and to prepare for that the top money earner in each class was invited to throw pie in the faces of the principals. Malcolm Keiser in KGB raised $1,030 and threw pie in Mrs. Fischer's face, while Jace Richardson in 5CF raised $200 and threw pie in Mr. Lee's face, and Hayleigh in 6B/P raised $270 and threw pie in Mrs. Syson's face. All in all it was fun and the student body thoroughly enjoyed cheering these students on. Great job, Stettler Elementary School.