‘How to’ convention broadens horizons

Times Contributor

 

The students at Sacred Heart Academy (SHA) were once again given the chance to experience what it is like to go through an educational convention, similarly to what an educator would experience at a teacher’s convention. At SHA’s ‘how to’ convention, Feb. 1 (Grades 1-3) and Feb. 2 (Grades 4-6), community members, parents and teachers were able to share with the kids their talents, skills and knowledge through informative sessions. The students rotated through the variety of sessions, sometimes learning something the kids would never have chosen to experience otherwise.   

“We thought we’d give them an opportunity to see how you can move from different sessions, learn new strategies, tricks and have some fun with it as well,” said SHA teacher and organizer of the ‘how-to’ convention, Dayna Moreau. 

The different types of sessions were left open with no basic theme, and the intent was to bring in as many parent and community volunteers as possible. Throughout Moreau’s experiences of the ‘how to’ convention, the most positive feedback she receives from the kids comes after the more hands-on sessions which require the students to get involved. The students experienced proactive sessions, ranging from making flubber to dancing in a Zumba class. 

“Sometimes it’s cooking pancakes, sometimes it’s rolling bandages. It could be fitness, yoga, exercises, just any random thing that a parent would like to share their knowledge, skill or talent (with the students),” said Moreau. 

Moreau said the variety of sessions the ‘how to’ convention had are very similar to an actual teacher’s convention. Just like a teachers convention some of the sessions were geared for kindergarten level, while others applied more to a high school level. 

“I believe that there are a number of sessions out there that every teacher could find, at least two or three, that would help them in their class. Whether they want to go learn more hands on or if they want to get more knowledge based stuff, there’s a variety,” said Moreau. 

Moreau is uncertain as to whether or not she will be spearheading the event again next year. Every fall it is determined which committee within the school will be in charge of a particular group of activities for that year.

Next year SHA will again be open to community members, parents and teachers to bring to the convention their knowledge which they would like to pass onto the students. 

On a side note, in commemoration of SHA’s 10th birthday, the school is in the process of creating a cookbook full of recipes from SHA current staff and past alumni. 

The introduction will also include a brief history of how the school came to be, and it is anticipated that the cookbooks will be ready for purchase from the office by late spring. More information about the cookbooks can be found by contacting Vice Principal Lauren Zulyniak through the school at 403-901-1544.