Father Jan students plan to race hundreds of ducks down Seven Hills next week in order to raise funds for kids in developing nations.
About 150 Father Jan Community School students will race 300 rubber ducks down an icy Seven Hills next Friday (weather permitting) as part of the school’s celebration of 150 years of Catholic education in St. Albert.
The race is the result of several ideas meshed together, explained teacher and organizer Juliette Inglis.
One is the Me to We project, which encourages students to perform at least one local and one international charitable project per year. The school did a local project last month by raising cash for Santas Anonymous, so now they’re doing an international one with Plan Canada – a global non-profit group that provides matching grants to help build schools, wells, and other projects in developing nations, Inglis said.
Students also had to come up with a one-day business as part of the Junior Achievement program (which aims to teach financial literacy), Inglis continued. Last year, they sold pink popcorn. This year, they’re doing ducks.
And January is the school’s month to celebrate the Catholic school district’s 150th, Inglis said. The students wanted to tie Seven Hills into the celebration since it’s right behind the school.
Students can buy a pair of ducks (one big, one small) for $5, Inglis said. The ducks come in different sizes to represent the different sizes of student, and are dressed up to represent possible student careers.
“There are fireman ducks and pirate ducks, nurse ducks and doctor ducks and princess ducks … they’re cute ducks.”
Prior to race day, Inglis and her helpers plan to create an icy track by pouring water on a long roll of plastic run down the hill.
“We don’t know if (this is) going to work, but we’re going to try.”
The ducks, each of which will be numbered, will be dropped at the top of the hill to tumble to the bottom. Everyone will get their ducks back at the end of the race, with the owner of the winning duck getting bragging rights in addition.
The school hopes to raise about $1,000 for Plan Canada through the race, Inglis said.
Inglis said she hopes the fundraiser teaches students a little about philanthropy.
“Giving doesn’t stop at Christmas. It goes year-round.”
City toddlers can scout their future schools this week as St. Albert’s school boards hold their annual kindergarten fairs.
St. Albert Public School’s annual kindergarten fair runs from 9:30 a.m. to noon today at Bellerose.
Greater St. Albert Catholic holds its St. Albert fair next Jan. 15 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at St. Albert Catholic High. The Morinville one is Jan. 29 at Notre Dame Elementary.
The fair is a chance for parents whose kids are starting kindergarten this fall to come and learn about busing, occupational therapy and other aspects of the school program, said public board spokesperson Paula Power.
Many parents come back again and again as their kids enter the school system, said David Quick, assistant superintendent with the Catholic board.
St. Albert’s kindergarten cohort has ballooned in recent years, with roughly 1,100 kids enrolled between the public and Catholic boards this school year.
“Every year it’s just booming, it seems,” Power said.
Quick said he expects to see further growth this fall as the city’s population grows.
Both districts offer full or half-day kindergarten programs as well as French immersion.
Power said kindergarten itself was a great way to introduce kids to socialization, and can help teachers spot and address learning issues early.
“It’s a great opportunities for the little ones to get them ready for Grade 1.”
Both boards will hold open houses for kindergarten students later this month.
