Proud

Last night I went to my Parent Council meeting.  Can I say that each time I leave I am in awe of the wonderful school S is going to?

At this meeting we discussed future fundraising events that we’re holding.  We’re having a dance a thon on Valentine’s to raise money for more technology equipment in our school; netbooks and Ipads.  Our school population has grown to almost 675 students!  That is so much more than they were anticipating.   So the need for more techie stuff has grown.  Gone are the days of the blackboard!  We’re using Smartboards in classes now.   Last year’s dance a thon raised over $10,000.  Amazing!  It is nice to have our kids growing up in this community where we are fortunate to be able to provide for our students.

And the students themselves are so much more socially aware than I ever was in grade 6,7 or 8.   Before Christmas the students organized a warm blanket drive for our northern community; mainly the Attawapiskat First Nations.  More than 15 garbage bags filled with blankets and gently used winter clothing was collected.  Our students have also created the Eco club in the school and have come up with celebrating Earth Day every month rather than once a year.  On Wednesdays at lunch, the Eco club goes around turning off lights, making sure things are being recycled etc.  S is in the club and she loves it.  She’s also doing it at home.  She’s always reminding me to turn off the lights if I’m not in the room.

Our school was Gold certified last year and we are working on getting it again this year.  Here’s a link if you want to see if your school is participating.

The latest project that are students are involved in is building a one room schoolhouse in Sierra Leone.  What a wonderful project that our school is involved in.  The cost of building a school is $8500 and we are confident that we can reach that this year.  If we meet the goal it is matched by another corporation.   The organization running this program is called Free the Children and is the brainstorm by a fellow Canadian who was also a York Region student.   So far we’ve raised quite a bit already and S is excited when she goes by the school office and sees the bulletin board on the wall that shows each time a brick is added.

I am so glad I joined the council this year.  I’m getting to see firsthand what goes on in the school and getting to know the principal, other teachers and fellow parents.  I’m not sure if I’ll be able to join again next September when I go back to work but I’m glad for the opportunity this year!

Yet with all this great stuff happening no one has yet figured out a way to ban the germs from entering .  A week back in and S has been home 2 days already with a fever and sore throat! Boo!

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