School District 47 (SD47) ran nine different activities for students over the spring break period from March 22 to April 1.
At the Powell River Board of Education meeting on May 12, superintendent of schools Jay Yule said the school district does not typically organize spring break activities but it was thought that during the COVID-19 pandemic, where students couldn’t go and visit their friends, the district would put something out that would provide guided activities.
“We put out a call to teachers, asking if they wanted to put something on, and we would compensate them,” said Yule. “The activities were quite well attended. The golf was really well attended. I think the activities were really worthwhile.”
Activities for the students included beginner sign language, where Jo Szabo, district teacher for the deaf and hard of hearing, guided students through some basic signs using websites with deaf adults and children doing actual signing. Simple children’s stories and songs were used to learn, practice and guide participants through basic beginner sign language via Zoom.
There was also an eco-friendly crafts session, where participants built a pine-cone bird feeder and recycled monsters, plus, there was a spring crafts session, followed by a story. Both sessions were conducted via Zoom.
There was a movement, mindfulness and making connections session, which encompassed movement games based on yoga, drama and dance, for kindergarten to grade three students. Participants conducted mindfulness exercises to connect with friends through play and sharing.
For grade four to seven students, there was place-based outdoor education. Participants headed outdoors to get heart rates up and discover surroundings. According to registration information, place-based education helps students learn to take care of the world by understanding where they live and taking action in their own backyards and communities. Activities were based at Westview Elementary School and included forest and beach walks.
Also for grade four to seven students, there was mountain biking through the Penticton trails. Participants explored a variety of routes.
Students were also able to discover the fascinating world of crabs through an interactive read aloud of the picture book Grasper: A Young Crab’s Discovery by Paul Owen Lewis. Participants were emailed a package of activities to accompany the story, some of which they would do together and some they could explore during spring break, including ideas for being a nature detective at the beach.
Students could also learn to draw 3D shapes in a three-day session.
Finally, the spring break junior golf camp provided three days of skills instruction and competition, with instruction provided by a golf professional at Myrtle Point Golf Club.
