The Stettler Elementary School students celebrated “Dino Days” over Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 1 and 2 as the gymnasium hall and entrance were transformed into a cave with a lot of hard work and creativity.
As the eighth annual of Fun Day, a yearly event for SES students, the theme this year was dinosaurs.
“It depends on the year really,” said Kim Poapst, main organizer. “When it was Olympics in Vancouver we had the Olympics theme.”
At one time, SES had an Australian exchange teacher, so the Fun Day theme that year was on Australia.
Among the other themes that have been done are – Medieval, Dr. Seuss, Canada Day, Duck Dynasty and Super Heroes.
“This year dinosaurs seemed to be the popular theme and it seemed to go with “gratitude is my attitude.” If you are thankful for what you have and pass on your thanks to others, your outlook on life and your life changes,” said Poapst. “Gratitude is one of the greatest life-changing forces. What you appreciate grows more.”
Throughout the two days, the students were asked to dwell on this theme – find gratitude within yourself and where you put your energy.
Poapst said it was important that the students learnt the importance of gratitude.
“Gratitude attracts others to you with common interests, there’s good in everyone’s life but sometimes we might have a filter and not see it,” Poapst explained. “Have gratitude for the good in your life, and appreciate what you have.”
Principal Sharon Fischer said that students often learn easier and are able to assimilate lessons in a fun environment and “Dino Days” at SES was targeted at that.
“Our teachers work very hard every day to ensure that the curriculum is covered and covered well, and as teachers we learned a long time ago that if you make learning fun, students will learn much more,” Fischer said. “As important as the curriculum is, character education is vital.”
“Dino Days” tied well into SES’s “seven habits and daily five” that are included in all the classrooms and hallways, according to Poapst.
“We would like to say a big thank you to all those who have helped us out; we are very lucky to have our supportive administrative staff who were in the gym most of the time,” Poapst added. “Thanks to Mrs. Lynn, Mrs. Cornelssen, Ms. Haley and Mrs. Geddes for painting and lending us all the props; to all our wonderful TAs for your awesome instruction at each station; Mrs. Norman for taking care of my supervision; Mrs. Ternes and Mrs. Sawula for getting something when needed, and thanks to our kids for being excited.”