March 10, 2021
David McFall (Principal of PETES)
As we approach the March 13th anniversary of the unprecedented closure of Quebec schools, it is important to reflect on how our educational thinking has adapted and evolved during this extraordinary school year.
Given the uncertain landscape during the summer, 2020/2021 was seemingly destined to be the most demanding of school years for students, staff and parents. With court challenges, restrictions to online learning, strict protocols, 2-metre distancing, masks, class bubbles, elimination of extra curricular activities, no field trips, and red zones – it hardly seemed like the appropriate time to seize the moment and re-think traditional school organization – or was it?
We collaborated with many partners and wrote grants to find funding to purchase new equipment. Incredibly, we received grants from Connexions, our Community Learning Centre (CLC) network, Canadian Tire, local businesses, and we were able to purchase sets of snowshoes, ice skates, tuques, and splash pants. However, our Home & School did not stop there and were determined to provide the school with more equipment. They fundraised tirelessly to help purchase, a class set of bicycles and scooters, and sleds – simply incredible!
Thanks to the generous mesures (grants for additional staffing) from the government, we were able to dedicate a staff member to oversee our healthy lifestyles program. This motivated teachers to sign their classes up for daily or weekly activities. By providing students and staff with new opportunities to participate in healthy, fun, outdoor activities, we strategically and skilfully reframed a more positive outlook for the 2020/2021 school year.
To capitalize on the gathering momentum, the staff and Home & School Association organized a “Winterpalooza Extravaganza” to embrace the great Canadian outdoors. Staff and parent volunteers organized a rotation of stations that included – snow carving, broomball, obstacle course, sledding on Mt. PETES, snow volcanoes, snow maple taffy, Timbits, and hot chocolate. Each grade had a dedicated Winterlude day and this celebration of outdoor fun will undoubtedly be a highlight of this remarkable school year.
Our focus on outdoor activities initially brought an element of fun and adventure to the school day. Not only were students happy, engaged and excited to be at school, but it deeply solidified their attachment to their teacher and their sense of belonging at school. However, the greatest benefit we have noticed is an increase in student focus and attentiveness to their studies after participating in fun, physical outdoor activities.
Our philosophy of school organization has changed dramatically over the past 12 months. At first glance, one would assume that the future of education was inevitably going to feature a greater reliance on the integration of technology in a digital world. However, when we take a second glance at Pierre Elliott Trudeau, we will realize that this may not necessarily be the case.
As we continue to observe an increase in children’s screen time and reduced time in nature, it may become an imperative for education systems to adapt and reimagine traditional school organization. Perhaps what will be required for the future of education, in a mid and post-pandemic world, will be a more back to basics approach to focus on learning outdoors through play and nature.
In conclusion, it is important to acknowledge that we have successfully navigated 12 months of school during a global pandemic. This really is a time for reflection and celebration. Staying healthy, safe, and moving beyond the classroom has been a collective effort between the staff and community – so congratulations to the entire PETES family!
