When students arrived at Fairview Elementary for the first day of school last week they were greeted with a brand new mural courtesy of local artist Jason Craft.
Craft met with the kids during a school Zoom assembly last year, where each class weighed-in on the design and discussed what the school means to them.
“We all did our own version of the mural and we mailed off each and every child’s drawings,” said Fairview Elementary principal Jenn Gallop. “Jason did a mock-up of all the ideas the kids shared.”
The school’s code of conduct, R.O.C.K.S (respect, ownership, cooperation, kindness, and safety) is drawn into the mural, as well as images of the forest, river, and salmon, recognizing the natural beauty of the area.
The students’ love of soccer is also reflected in the painting along with tulips, which the primary classes plant every year around the school in hidden places through the Bulbs for Kids program.
“[The kids] then look forward to seeing them pop up,” Gallop added.
Fairview was not the only school to see some changes over the summer.
At Blue Mountain Elementary, students arrived to a brand new natural playground that was installed over the break. The equipment was paid for thanks to a donation from the school’s Parent Advisory Council.
Over at Westview Secondary, new Grade 8 students were welcomed by Grade 11 and 12 Link Leaders, who showed them around the building where they will spend the next four years of their academic life. Principal Darren Rowell said the students had a full day of high-energy activities and that included orientation led by the older students.
“I loved it today,” said one Grade 8 student. “My link crew leaders are amazing. I love Westview so much.”
Students at Whonnock Elementary had a special visitor during their first few days back in class — a python.
Principal Stuart Richardson said a student, accompanied by a parent, brought their snake to the school yard to show their class, “who were thrilled” with the encounter.
“Students are not the only ones happy to be back to school,” he said. “Pythons are welcome, too.”
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