Fearless Fives

November 15 - November 17

Learning Outcomes

Wellness

- Students reflect and relate life experiences to perseverance and well-being

- Students analyze responsibility and consider the impact on well-being

What Did Students Do?

This week was our second, and sadly, our last week at City Hall School. Some of the activities we have been involved in this week are as follows:

1) Presentation by Boyen from Fair Entry - Boyen shared The City of Calgary's application process for Fair Entry which gives families living in poverty a discount on many progams and services in Calgary. Students asked excellent questions and were very attentive during the presentation.

2) Visit to The Homeless Memorial - We walked to The Homeless Memorial. Students had a chance to sketch and reflect while we were at the memorial. This is a spot that is not well known in our city but is well worth a visit. It is located at 107 13 Ave SE and is a collaboration between The Client Action Committee, Calgary Homeless Foundation, University of Calgary, and the City of Calgary, with the support of Canadian Artists Against Poverty, and homeless-serving agencies in the city. It consists of three four sided painted pedestals and a shorter one with a bronze backpack that was modeled after an actual backpack of a person experiencing homelessness.

3) Presentation by Alice Lam - Alice Lam can be well described by the student's words for her; inspiring, creative, amazing, kind, caring, entrepreneur, helpful, funny, and thoughtful. Alice is truly an incredible Calgarian who is working hard to make a difference in our city. She has created Vollyapp.com for people who want to find volunteer opportunities in our city. She started Good Neighbour which is Calgary's first "Pay What Your Can" community market. She also started The Community Fridge which is a place people who need food can go to get free food. People who have extra food fitting the program's criteria can also donate and leave food. Alice has created community markets and has done so much more. What an incredible role model for all of us.

4) East Village Bounce Park - We took a walk to the Bounce Park in East Village. It was covered with snow but that didn't stop students from "Skating" around the area on the snow and playing a game of basketball. They were a bit disappointed that it wasn't a giant trampoline park like they imagined. We explained that the city lawyers would not go for a public trampoline park. We discussed how people living in the many high rise buildings needed places to play as they didn't have backyards like we did. We were able to look at the buildings around us and talk about their various uses. We also discussed historic "Ghost signs" and how they were protected by the city.

5) Trip up the Bow Tower - Students were given a special privilege when they got to go up to the 54th floor of the Bow Tower. A special thank you to Doug Radke who worked to get us permission to have this experience and took time out of his day for us. We were the first school group to be allowed up the tower since COVID began and the only grade five group allowed up to the 54th floor. Normally grade 5 only gets to go to floor 24 but we were given special permission. Students (And adults) were amazed at the view. The Calgary Tower was so small. Students described the people as ants. Everyone was able to push past their fear of heights and enjoy the view in some way.

6) Central Library Visit - We divided into our small groups and explored the Central Library. Students took place in a scavenger hunt around the library to find certain spaces and to explore the uses and purposes of the library. We finished our day in the Questionarium where they were able to play and explore.

One group was even given the privilege of being invited into the Elder's room by Elder Miiksika'am. He shared his experience of residential school but chose to focus on what he and others did to find happiness in a terrible situation. He encouraged the students to find happiness in every situation no matter how difficult it is. What an amazing message. Elder Miiksika'am gave us a special gift in his story he shared.

7) Visit with Councillor Demong - Councillor Peter Demong came and spoke with us. He is our Councillor for Lake Bonavista. Students were each able to ask the question they had created for Councillor Demong. They were surprised by how funny he was and that he was just a normal person like you or I. Councillor Demong answered their questions and impressed students with his honesty. He also brought pens, note pads, and pins for our students.

8) Walk through City Hall - This was a quick visit to the 8th floor of City Hall as well as a chance to look at artifacts from our Sister Cities. We also had a chance to view the artwork on the pillars by Kalum Teke Dan. This was very exciting as we had his paintings in our learning commons as part of the TREX Exhibition.

Wow! What an amazing experience this has been. Our students have learned so much beyond our regular grade five curriculum. They have learned to become citizens and to see people for who they are, not how they appear. They have shown caring, empathy, wonder, and amazement. They have learned that they can make a difference and I can't wait to see how these students change our world as they move forward. Alice Lam taught us to take small steps and that the small things make a big difference. This group of grade five students did a great job of representing Andrew Sibbald School at City Hall School. They should be so proud of themselves.