Students at the Ponoka Outreach School had a fun day of crafting and playing their own version of Minute to Win It last week before the holidays started.
Organized by social studies teacher Shelia Strychalski, who calls the event their winter celebration, the occasion allowed students to have fun with crafts and games Thursday, Dec. 11.
Just after lunch, the celebration started with crafts where students would make something that would be an ideal gift.
They made cookies in a jar; a process in which they put all the ingredients needed to make a batch of cookies into one jar, which is meant to be a gift for someone. Students also made barb wire stars; unique creations meant to decorate Christmas trees and terra cotta Christmas buddies; clay pots that students could decorate in their own ways.
“We had a lot of really neat creations,” said Strychalski.
After craft time, students then joined together in three teams and competed against the teachers in a Minute To Win It. Strychalski says because the students are in and out of school with different schedules. Coming together for the Winter Celebration allows them to enjoy some fun time together.
“I think it’s good for us to get together as a whole school,” said Strychalski.
“It’s good to balance your learning with a little bit of fun,” she added.
As the Outreach School offers junior and senior high school programming, this event breaks down barriers with older and younger students as well as teachers.
Another thing Strychalski enjoys is how teams are rich in cultural and racial diversity. “These kinds of events help break down those walls,” she concluded.