Home of the Wildcats

ÉLES would like to thank Reona Brass, Indigenous Advocate with PVSD, for extending her relationship with our school and our students by sharing her knowledge and experience with Ribbon Skirts with a wonderful group of our students and their families this week. With National Ribbon Skirt Day approaching on January 4^th, all these students will be able to proudly wear a ribbon skirt that they made. Reona began by sharing Ribbon Skirt Teachings with the girls expressing to them how their skirt can represent their identity and also how the skirt welcomes them into an important role in their community. The girls were able to spend time reflecting on their design and select material and ribbons that spoke to them. We had many staff and family members join in to help with the pinning and sewing and most importantly kinship that was part of bringing the skirts into being;  the room was filled with joy, harmony and beauty. ÉLES will recognize National Ribbon Skirt day on Friday, January 10^th, because January 4^th is a non-student day, and we invite all students and staff to wear their Ribbon Skirts. We are grateful to Reona Brass for opening our minds and hearts to this experience and for actively working to help us make our school a place where reconciliation lives and everyone feels valued and cared for. We will continue expanding our worldview as we walk in partnership together.

Over the last couple of weeks, students in 6R applied their work on fractions by learning how to sew.  As you have probably heard at home they sewed “Twiddle Muffs” for each of the residents at the Lumsden Heritage home.   A Twiddle muff is designed to help the seniors’ hands stay warm and in cases of dementia, it can provide a sensory stimulation by adding buttons and ribbons inside.  Each of these students completed one to give to a resident.  Mrs. Dahl-Ritco  captured the experience in this short video: 

https://youtu.be/fzKwbHeB0xA?si=Y5eHIL4C5c00kjA2

Thank-you to the Lumsden Heritage home and Michelle Buhay for working with us to make this happen and sharing photos of the experience so we could allow you to see your people in action.

École Lumsden Elementary is fortunate to host local sewing Celebrities to help our students who have joined sewing club, in grade 6-8, learn how to sew.  On Nov. 28, Colleen Matheson joined our sewers and helped our students create a flannelette pillow.   

On Sunday, the Outdoor Education Leadership Team (OELT) enjoyed the slopes of Mission Ridge. Shout out to our bus diver.  Mr. Rock who safely got us to and from the hill.  Thank you to Andy and Cynthia who volunteered to transport the equipment for us.

We had an eager group of cross country skiers who broke trail at River park yesterday. This group will embrace the snow and ski every Tuesday.