WHAT'S HAPPENING

KEC students mix with mentors

On March 2, 11 students from Kildonan-East Collegiate attended the third annual Women as Career Mentors Dinner at the Delta Hotel in downtown Winnipeg.

The event gave young women ages 16–30 a venue to gain valuable knowledge, inspiration, and even references and employment and education contacts from the numerous successful female mentors who attended. They also had the opportunity to pick up tips about employment trends and skill shortage areas, and learn about possible challenges faced by women and ways to overcome them.

The KEC students enjoyed presentations by eight speakers, had dinner, and made the most of their time to meet and mingle. The evening was a great success!

What’s up at Gallery 589

If you’re stopping by the RETSD Administration Offices at 589 Roch St., take a few minutes to walk through the reception-level hallway, in which you’ll find an impressive and often-changing gallery of student artwork.
 
Artist and art instructor Alice Kulyk stops by to change the artwork several times throughout the school year, and features work created by different schools and grade-levels, using a wide range of mediums. When she arrives, staff and visitors are often eager to see what will be expertly framed and put on display next.
 
Currently, “Gallery 589” features abstract collages, created by Grade 3–6 art club students from Emerson Elementary School under the instruction of Ms. Kulyk. Students painted an abstract background with acrylic paints. Then they drew the contour of a silk flower, outlined it with oil pastel and painted it using watercolours. Next they used magnifying glasses to observe and study natural objects, such as shells, crystals, rocks and sponges. Using black markers, they drew the shapes, textures and details they observed—these, along with the flowers, were cut out and collaged onto the abstract background. Stamps and other pieces of coloured paper were also added to embellish the artwork.

Tanzania trip gets boost from donation

Kildonan-East Collegiate students who are headed to Tanzania in May were all smiles last week. The group of 25 students and five teachers has been fundraising for the trip for four years and on Feb. 11 they accepted a generous donation of $10,000 from the “Opt In” program at St. Mary’s Road United Church. The money will help cover the cost of their humanitarian projects and travel.

The group leaves on May 24 to visit Karatu, Tanzania, where they will see firsthand a rainwater harvesting project they helped to fund at a school in that community. Working in co-operation with Canadian Physicians for Aid and Relief, they have supported the construction of two 30,000-litre concrete tanks, pit latrines for girls, and hand-washing stations, as well as the development of hygiene education and establishment of a water management committee at Qaru Lambo Primary School.

Similar construction is about to begin at a second school. While there, the students and their teachers will also work in the community planting trees, and visit schools, clinics and farms to learn about the culture and lifestyle of their Tanzanian peers.

Olympic fever at École Regent Park

École Regent Park ushered in the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics with great style on February 12. An afternoon full of activity began with an opening ceremony, during which the school’s 13 home room groups, each representing a different country, followed a procession into the school gym. The school jazz band played the national anthem and the games were officially declared open. 

Everyone then gathered around an outdoor bonfire and cheered the arrival of the Olympic torch. Students rotated through different activities during the afternoon—they could prepare an Olympic-themed art project, participate in a choreographed Olympic presentation, compete in outdoor games, and take in some hot chocolate and dancing outside. Each team created an official cheer to represent its country and Olympic medals were awarded.

It was wonderful from start to finish thanks to teacher and organizer M. Philippe Chabot, other staff members, parent council members and students, who all collaborated to make it a memorable afternoon at École Regent Park.

Hé Ho! Festival du Voyageur!

Festival du Voyageur got off to a rousing start in St. Boniface on Feb. 12, with music, fireworks, snow sculptures and gallons of hot chocolate. Shortly after, the French Immersion schools in RETSD kicked off their own celebrations and will continue to mark the occasion in different ways over the course of the festival’s nine-day run.

École Centrale students clapped along to local French-Canadian ensemble La Bardasse at the school’s Festival du Voyageur kick-off assembly on Feb. 16. Teacher M. René Ammonn delighted the audience as he gamely dressed up as a courier du bois and performed a comedic jig.

Later in the week, La Bardasse will entertain a crowd at Neil Campbell School. The students will also enjoy a pancake breakfast, create festival-themed crafts and participate in outdoor “voyageur” games.

Also getting out and into the snow are the Grade 5 students from École Regent Park, who will visit Parc du Voyageur, which contains Fort Gibraltar, the Sugar Shack, the Rivière-Rouge Trading Post and a number of giant snow sculptures. The students will participate in a workshop while there—Fort Gibraltar and Instruments of the Era.

We Generation delivers message to John Gunn

The We Generation Tour visited John W. Gunn Middle School to deliver the inspiring message that students of this age can make a difference for those in other countries who are less fortunate.

The We Generation is a website initiative created by Free the Children, an international development organization founded in 1995 by Canadian Craig Kielburger, who was 12 years old at the time. The website serves as a “youth hub for global change.”

A number of students were invited to an afternoon workshop with We Generation’s Keith and Renée, where they discussed world issues and how youth can be empowered to effect change. The workshop supported the Adopt a Project initiative the school has undertaken this year. Adopt a Project involves all classes choosing a project or charity that will help less fortunate people in their community, city, country or around the world. Students have learned that by making a slight change in their lives or a contribution, they can make a world of difference in a child’s life.