Submitted by Brenda Brewer, Principal, and Breanna Heels, Vice-Principal
This is always an exciting time of year for our elementary crowd, and even our sophisticated high school students seem to step a little more lightly (and not just because the footing is less secure).
COVID is, of course, a limiting factor for some of our winter festivities, but both St. Edmunds and Bruce Peninsula District School (BPDS) are still managing special events. We’ve got dress-up days: pajama day, ugly sweater day, flannel day… the list goes on. We’ve got classes recording seasonal songs and dances. And we’re making sure we give back to the community that is so generous with us by holding a food drive, with students bringing in goods or cash to donate to the food bank.
We’re still being careful with large-scale events, but we were lucky to get an outdoor visit from Santa Claus, with elementary students spaced out in their class-based cohorts – thanks to the Rotary Club of Northern Bruce Peninsula, and especially to Rob Hiscott and Doug Embleton.
Photography Class Showcases Student Talent
Our students are busy in class, too, of course. In addition to making sure all students gain essential academic skills, we try to select elective courses each year that will appeal to the individuals currently in the building. This year, Ms. Stanton has offered a photography class and her students have been producing some really beautiful work. It’s hard to get the full impact on newsprint, but the class is making cards with the photographs on them and these will be available at Rachel’s Bakery in Lion’s Head, as well as through School Cash Online – check our Facebook page for the link when it becomes available.
Secondary Classes Returning to 4 Period Days in Second Semester
We’re also looking forward to the new year. The board has coordinated with the Ministry of Education and Grey Bruce Public Health so secondary classes can go back to our traditional 4-periods-a-day schedule starting in second semester (February 4th). We’re working to bring the elementary schedule back to its traditional system as well, with all students out for recess at the same time.
It’s exciting to be taking baby steps back to normal, but we want to be sure we’re still being as careful as we can. With that in mind, it’s important that parents keep students (and all unvaccinated siblings) at home if they have any possible COVID symptoms.
Thanks so much to everyone who has helped make 2021 a memorable, safe year for the students at BPDS and St. Edmunds.
See you in the New Year!
–Brenda and Breanna
