Sending letters to the future

Times Reporter

 

Earlier this year the Alberta Legislature put it to a vote as to what should be included in the new time capsule, which will be opened in another 100 years. There were 3,985 votes to include student letters in the new capsule.   

“So they decided to have student letters to the future and it was open to students from all around Alberta, and apparently eight got in,” said Sarah Thompson Elementary School Grade 3/4 teacher Sean Hartley. 

“Any teacher in this school will tell you the importance of an authentic learning experiences, and that’s connecting what we do in the classroom to the real world. 

“So having a running for a time capsule that is going to be buried and will be open and read in 100 years, you can’t get more authentic than that. All the students were really into the assignment and then to have not one but two students from the classroom selected is just absolutely incredible, it’s the icing on the cake.”

Taylor Pfeifer and Brenna Jolly both had their letters picked to be included in the time capsule. Pfeifer said she thinks it is “really cool” that in 100 years people will be reading their letters. 

Jolly thinks future students will be “surprised’ when they read the letters. 

Jolly is hoping that in the future people will be a lot nicer than they are now, and that there will be fewer robbers and burglars. Pfeifer hopes that cancer will be cured and that more people will take better care of the environment. 

“Because right now most people don’t recycle a lot (and) don’t take care of the environment that much,” said Pfeifer.

In the fall the two girls will also be going to Edmonton for the time capsule ceremony, and they will be officially recognized for their contribution to it. Hartley said it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that not many students get to be involved in, and he is proud that two of his students have the opportunity. 

Other items to be included are newspapers from September 2012; a roll of 2012 pennies and coin set; photos of the 1909 time capsule unearthing; and photos of the schools at the Legislature classes.