Education, Citizenship and Youth
Manitoba Grants for Innovations in Citizenship Education
Project Descriptions 2006
Reaching Out, Serving Others
Anola School - Grade 4 and 5
Project Description: Students learned about various ways that they could help within their community and beyond by participating regularly in different volunteer efforts.
Program Summary: Students coordinated a food drive and took 170 lbs of food to Winnipeg Harvest where they also learned about the services Winnipeg Harvest provides and helped to sort food for distribution. They also prepared materials for a fundraising event called Cruisin’ Down the Crescent for the Children’s Rehabilitation Centre. Students were involved in one of three activities twice each week in May and June. One of these activities was an environmental initiative where students designed and constructed a composting unit for the school, developed a composting program for next year and developed ideas for educating the school population about the benefits and how-to’s of composting. Another involved joining in with seniors in various activities, and a third had them involved with younger children in small group games and activities inside and outside the daycare centre. Students also attended a presentation about Alzheimer’s and participated in an Alzheimer’s Walk with seniors and the children from the daycare. As a celebration, the children hosted a picnic for the seniors and children as well as others involved in their project.
Feedback from Students, Educators, Parents, and Community Members: Students were surprised at how active seniors can be, enjoyed playing with the children and learned a lot about things like Alzheimer's and Composting. One educator said, "The vocabulary of citizenship and being good citizens became a part of daily conversations among students in the classroom; they had established tangible meaning of the concept of citizenship." Community members commented that children at the daycare were always excited to see the students arrive, and that most seniors are hoping for opportunities to make contacts with these kids again.
Think Globally - Act Locally
D. R. Hamilton School in Cross Lake – Grade 8 and 9
Project Description: Students learned about Diabetes and Cancer and healthy living strategies in order to better their physical health, recognizing that good health now could benefit them later in life. Funds raised were sent to the Canadian Diabetes Association, and the Canadian Cancer Society.
Program Summary: Students in Grades 8 and 9 completed a number of tasks associated with the project throughout the year. These activities included creating posters promoting ways to lead healthier lives with Diabetes, learning more about the Canadian Diabetes Association, Cancer Care Manitoba and the Canadian Cancer Society and researching and learning about various types of cancer. The research projects were then posted for school and community members to see. Students also took part in a mini health fair conducted in conjunction with the local Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative worker and Phys. Ed teacher. Many students took it upon themselves to begin walking every day in order to better their physical health, recognizing that good health now could benefit them later in life. The two classes held a number of sharing circles where we would explore how cancer and diabetes affected our families, and our communities. For a number of students this was the first time that they had actually realized and reflected on the impact of these two diseases. These were powerful and sometimes painful sessions that will continue into the fall. Cash donations were sent to the two designated organizations that the students had chosen in the fall.
Feedback from Students, Educators, Parents and Community Members: The students who will be returning in the fall have expressed a desire to continue with the project in the fall.
A Grade 8 student: “It was a good, educational project that helped me to learn to be careful with my health, and I learned ways to try and prevent diabetes.”
A Staff Member: “The project was worthwhile, but having to go to the division to access the money made it difficult for the students to feel like they had ownership of the project.”
A Staff Member: “I believe that this project helped students become better citizens by awakening them to the fact that each and every one of them has been affected by either cancer, diabetes and in some cases both diseases. I hear them encouraging each other to walk every day and I have seen them making healthier eating choices when at the local stores. I also believe that the small steps these students have made this year will be built upon in the coming years and that they will continue to grow as citizens both in and out of school.”
Virtues In Action
Mapleton School - Grades 1 to 6
Project Description: After being involved for four years in a Virtues Project, students and staff had the opportunity to put their learning into action in the community outside of the school. Students developed an awareness, respect and understanding for people from a variety of backgrounds, geographical locations and stages in life.
Program Summary:
Grade 1: Students discussed the needs of children in Third World countries and then put together shoe boxes of supplies to send to them.
Grade 2: The class partnered with a personal care home where they made monthly visits to learn from their elders and to apply their skills of kindness, respect and empathy. This class also connected with a grade 2 class in Berens River from which they learned about and developed an appreciation for a different type of community.
Grade 2 and 3: During spirit week in March these students organized the project “A Mountain of Macaroni” in which students collected over 75 pounds of macaroni dinner to donate to the Selkirk Food Bank.
Grade 2 and 4: Students wrote post cards to the veterans on Remembrance Day thanking them and remembering them for their contributions to our country.
Grade 4: This class organized a drive to collect food and toys for Christmas hampers for four needy families in the community, and contributed to the “Coats for Kids” project.
Grade 5: This group of students put together a “Project Love” undertaking. They made a presentation at an assembly explaining the need for supporting children in Africa. Students brought financial contributions and purchased school supplies and then packaged them and sent them to African students along with letters of encouragement and best wishes.
Grade 6: The class decided to spend their year working towards supporting the Humane Society. In May, after various successful contests and activities, they were able to make a donation of approximately $850.
Feedback from Students, Educators, Parents and Community Members:
From a parent: "I think this program has helped him identify, appreciate and respect our 'Canadian Treasures.'
From a resident of the personal care home: “I enjoyed the whole program. The children were great. I thought it was a great idea and enjoyed the crafts.”
From the Parent Advisory Council: "The projects undertaken this year were wonderful. Will you be able to do some of them again next year?"
From an educator: "I am extremely impressed with the empathy and leadership our students have shown. They have learned about good character and virtues and have taken it to the next level by demonstrating it outside the school environment and into our community at large."
From a Veteran: "On November 11 I was honoured by being presented with a carnation and a card of remembrance. This was my first in my 62 years of attending November 11 services and it sure touched my heart and left me speechless."
Kids Caring For Kids
Morris School - Grade 10
Project Description: The "Kids Caring For Kids" project is a three year commitment to the fight against HIV/AIDS Pandemic in Kenya, Africa.
Program Summary: The first year focus was on the education to local schools and communities in Southern Manitoba about the need for assistance in Africa. The final two years will focus on the raising of funds to complete the goals of creating an Orphanage for the children in Kenya who have lost their parents as a result of the AIDS disease. A counselor will also be employed to ensure that the HIV pregnant women in Kenya receive the information about the free Naviropine drug that is available. The major strength of the project is the development of an awareness of the social injustices of the world. Students spent countless hours researching this cause and then created a website to use for educating and fund raising. They learned how to work collaboratively and then how to present their information to their fellow students, and School Administration. The next year will focus on the presenting of information to the corporate world in order to secure the necessary funds that will allow them to fulfill their goals.
Feedback from Students, Educators, Parents and Community Members: Student commitment to the project has far exceeded expectations. As the year went on, students' volunteer commitment increased and new roles needed to be created to accommodate this desire to help. Parents are very thankful that such a humanitarian project of this nature is available for their children to be involved with. The community has embraced the goals of the kids and stands behind them 100%. This project has caught a momentum that far exceeded our first year expectations.
Moving Towards a Global School: Promoters of Peace
College Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau
Project Description: Our goals were to have an impact locally, nationally and internationally in the areas of human rights, democracy, intercultural learning and the environment. This year our focus has been on the Aboriginal culture, poverty, helping our friends in need in Bolivia and educating our community on human rights issues and environmental concerns.
Program Summary:
- Events and Activities
- September 19-23: Canadian Student Leadership conference in Fredericton NB - six students and two teachers attended and heard Stephen Lewis and Craig Kielberger speak.
- October 13: MASS Social Justice Forum with Stephen Lewis - three students attended.
- November 24-25: Urban Plunge - Two days and one night in the North End - visited the Siloam Mission, Graffiti Gallery, Winnipeg Harvest and Indian Family Center. Twelve students and three teachers.
- November 27: Sagkeeng Sweat Lodge - eighteen students and two teachers participated.
- November: Organic Hamburger Sale - raised $1720 for Stansberry Children's Home and Daycare and $3400 for the Canadian Food Bank.
- November: Holocaust Traveling Trunk from Texas - Grade 9 English program.
- December 8: Anti Racism Assembly and Montreal Massacre Memorial Service - presentation given by Martha Henry and family on Aboriginal dance and the effects of the residential schools on their culture - whole school.
- December 21: Six students and two teachers delivered hampers to ten needy families in the community. The entire student body donated almost a 1000kg of non perishable food and $350 to the Christmas Cheer Board.
- Received an Innovation in Citizenship Education Grant 2006 from Manitoba Education, Citizenship and Youth - $1000
- MUNCH program - Aboriginal Mentoring program with sixteen CPET students and sixteen elementary students - ten week duration.
- February 7: 1800 minute Famine for Bolivia - raised $4000.
- February 15: A teacher and two students from the Social Justice Club presented a workshop at the Middle Years Generating Momentum Conference at the Canadian Mennonite University.
- February 15: Movie night - Inconvenient Truth documentary by Al Gore on global warning - open to the public with all proceeds to go to Stansberry Children's Daycare in Bolivia.
- February 12-16: Fundraiser and awareness campaign for CANFAR - Canadian Foundation for Aids Research.
- World Affairs Video Club explored a new area of global justice and world concern each week.
- January clothing drive for an orphanage near Chihuahua, Chihuahua in Mexico.
- February 20: Several students from the human rights committee teamed up with a group of African refugees representing Darfur to make a presentation in a church in Transcona.
- February 22: Three students and two teachers participated in a round table discussion at the University of Winnipeg for the Human Rights and Social Justice Forum.
- February 23-25: Ten students and three teachers attended the University of Winnipeg for the Human Rights and Social Justice Conference.
- March 8: School wide presentation by Phil Boyte on respect and tolerance.
- March 12-16: Wear Green for a Dream campaign - fundraiser for the Rainbow Society.
- March: Three students and one teacher attended an anti-graffiti meeting with the local business group.
- March 20-31: Fifteen students , one Menno Simon's College university student and three teachers went to Stansberry's Children's Home and Daycare in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, our third trip to Bolivia and our sixth year of providing financial support.
- April 24: Sixteen students and one teacher attended French for the Future.
- April 25: Twelve students and one teacher attended the Generating Momentum Conference: Filling the Potholes on Human Rights.
- April 27: Fourth Senior Citizen Prom- erasing the generation gap 285 senior citizens attended - Silent auction proceeds for Stansberry's Children Daycare.
- Forty-five students and five teachers participated in the June 1 Poverty Walk, a UNESCO network initiative.
- School Wide Awareness activities for UNESCO
- Contest was held to create a new banner that would represent our school and UNESCO.
- Assembly at which the new banner was revealed.
- School clothing now sports the UNESCO ASPnet logo.
- UNESCO student/teacher committee continues to meet monthly to plan activities.
- Provided staff meeting time to discuss the integration of the UNESCO goals into the classroom.
- Activities for the Promotion of Inclusion
- Comité d'unité created respect posters for the school and organized the Phil Boyte assembly on respect.
- Trained groups of students gave presentations on the need for respect at the elementary level.
Feedback from Students, Educators, Parents and Community Members:
Students: Students are very proud of the commitment the school has made to global peace. They readily want to give of their time to participate in, initiate or organizing activities. As you can tell they are very generous financially to supporting causes that they have identified: Bolivia, Canadian Food Bank, Senior Citizen Prom, Winnipeg Cheer Board, etc. We are a small school yet we have no problem finding volunteers or committee members.
Parents: We are very fortunuate for the level of support that we receive from the parents and community for all our endeavours. They want their children to have experiences that allow them to be critical thinkers, social justice activists, and global citizens. We present a report to the Parent Advisory Council on a regular basis and the parents encourage us to continue. They volunteer readily. Our final report will be included in our June newsletter.
Community: We have forged strong relationships with the following organizations: Winnipeg Global College, Mennonite Central Committee in Winnipeg and Bolivia, Stansberry Children's Home and Daycare in Santa Crux, Bolivia, Menno Simons College, Transcona Biz, Transcona Retirees Association, Transcona Optimist Club, Darfur African Association, Manitoba Association for Rights and Liberties and the UNESCO ASPnet schools.
Growing Together
Pine Falls and Ecole Powerview Schools – Grade K to 12
Project Description: With the closing of Pine Falls School in June of 2007, this project goal was to utilize the talents of students from both schools to celebrate the past and promote a positive future for the two amalgamating communities and schools.
Program Summary: A Growing Together Site was developed at each school which included a tree, a commemorative plaque and memory rocks which were gathered and painted by the students. At an assembly at Pine Falls School, entertainer Len Udow led the students in the development of a memory song which was performed by the students. A joint assembly was held at Powerview School in June to promote a positive future together, and this was followed by a community bar-b-que to celebrate the Growing Together theme. A video was also developed to mark the celebrations. Another Growing Together assembly will be held in September at which time the video will be presented and students will be given Growing Stronger Together bracelets.
Feedback from Students, Educators, Parents and Community Members: Feedback from all stakeholders was very positive. The Pine Falls assembly was quite emotional and parents and community members truly appreciated the “Honouring Memories” theme combined with the idea of “Growing Together.” The assembly at Powerview was very exciting as the entire new student body came together for the first time. In one particular part of the ceremony, the youngest students from both schools stood around the planting site and shook hands with their new “friends.” The moment was both symbolic and touching. The community bar-b-que was a big hit with students, staff and parents. The project was successful in easing the anxiety of the move of Pine Falls students to Powerview School.
Sunrise Students Leadership Project
Various Middle/Senior Years Schools, Sunrise School Division (Springfield Middle School, Springfield Collegiate, Dugald School, Anola School, Gillis School, Edward Schreyer Secondary School, Whitemouth School, Centennial School, Lac du Bonnet Senior School, Powerview School and Pine Falls School)
Project Description: A Student Leadership Conference was held at Camp Cedarwood aimed at providing an opportunity for student leaders to become involved in reaching out to others within their own school community as well as the larger community.
Program Summary: At the conference a number of sessions and activities were conducted which helped students to:
- Reflect on what they were already doing
- Set goals
- Develop an action plan
The goals were to:
- Open students minds to govern inclusively
- Give students the opportunity to network with others
- Learn new skills
- Encourage interpersonal growth
When setting goals the student leaders focused on reaching out to others within their school community, the larger community, and the world.
Feedback from Students, Educators, Parents and Community Members: The feedback from all involved was very positive. Two surveys were completed following the conference. One survey was distributed to conference delegates in March, and the second follow-up survey was conducted in June. The surveys focused on the experiences and skills that students felt they gained throughout the year.
Exploring Métis Traditions - Past and Present
St. Laurent School - Grade K to 12
Project Description: To allow students from a non-Métis community to learn about Métis traditions from students living in a Métis community, and to provide those Métis students with an opportunity to demonstrate and show pride in those traditions.
Program Summary: St. Laurent School, a Kindergarten to Grade 12 school with approximately 200 students hosted students from Elm Creek School, also a Kindergarten to Grade 12 school with approximately 200 students at a Heritage Day where the Métis culture and traditions were featured. Early Years students from Elm Creek rotated through Early Years classes, Middle Years students rotated through Middle Years classes, and Senior Years students rotated through Senior Years classes. In each classroom, different aspects of the Métis people were demonstrated including clothing, dance, the Michif language, food and food preparation, music, and occupations such as fishing and trapping. St. Laurent School classes each decided on and planned their own activities. At lunch time all students, staff and community members went to the local Recreation Centre for a traditional meal of stew and bannock as well as entertainment provided by the St. Laurent Fiddlers and the St. Ambroise Youth Steppers, all students of St. Laurent School.
Feedback from Students, Educators, Parents and Community Members: Students and staff from Elm Creek School were amazed at the wonderful hosting job by St. Laurent School students, staff and community members. They particularly liked the hands-on activities, the entertainment and of course the meal. Students of St. Laurent School felt great pride in sharing different aspects of their culture with their peers who previously knew very little about the Métis.
Camp for UNICEF
Whyte Ridge Elementary School - Grade K to 6 with focus on grade 3
Project Description: To allow students develop and increase awareness of the world, specifically Africa, to develop students’ understanding of their role as global citizens, to celebrate as a community working towards a common goal, and to understand and help support the work of UNICEF by raising funds.
Program Summary: Grade three students learned about the geography of Malawi and what life is like for children there through a variety of class and group activities. Guest presenters who have lived and worked in Malawi were able to add an authentic touch by bringing food, artifacts and visuals for the children to experience. All 500 students benefited from learning African songs, an African greeting taught during morning announcements, African folk tales read in the library, working together to complete African art murals to decorate the gym, and the opportunity to participate in the school’s evening Camp for UNICEF event. At this event, the entire school was invited to “camp out” in the school gym where adults and children sang songs, danced, listened to stories, and were entertained by an African dance group.
Feedback from Students, Educators, Parents and Community Members: All students learned about Malawi and what life is like for people who live there. The guest presenters and the evening celebration were the highlights. Many teachers became involved in supporting the project in a variety of ways and appreciated the opportunity to have the whole school participating in the evening event. Over 300 parents and children attended the evening celebration, and judging by the smiles on people’s faces and their participation in activities, everyone had an enjoyable time. Comments made by parents during the days that followed were positive and supportive. They appreciated the effort that the school made in helping their children to develop a global conscience. Students learned that even though they are children, they can make a positive difference in the lives of others.
