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BY FAYE GORANSON Teachers at St.Laurent School are taking a different approach to extra-curricular activities this year. They are giving more of their time to build a welcoming roa atmosphere for students. ‘vats ¢ of losing five days to White Horse Plains School Divi sion budget cuts, and the result ing pressure from both local and provincial teachers’ associations to withdraw extra services, most of the St. Laurent teachers are more involved than ever. “When we came back after the summer holidays, we found quite a few windows on the school had been shot out. We realized that some students have a very negative attitude towards school and we decided we had to do something to turn that around,’’ said high school prin cipal, Hugh Sigurdson. “So we set up an intra-mural hoon hour sports program for grades 7-12 students, plus some non-sports activities. Two teachers and teacher aides volun ter each of the six teams of 20,”' “Every noon hour the teams all play and then for five minutes after the bell rings, each team meets in its own team home room to rehash that day’s game and to plan for the next day. It's proving to be great for team building and spirit. * He said the project is boosting student self-esteem and attitude. “The teams are quite small, so the staff members can demon strate to each of their students that there is at least one special adult who cares, Sigurdson gives a daily report on the noon-hour game results on the school PA system. Each team has chosen a name (some quite exoticl), and are designing team crests. A section of corridor wall was given to each team and right now the stu dents are in the process of paint ing their logos and team names in bright colors on the cement block walls. Paint for the project was bought with money raised by a school dance supported by students, staff and the com munity. So far the teams are into soc cer, football and volleyball, but over the cold months floor hock ey, basketball and other indoor games are planned. They will not abandon out door sports, however, Sigurdson says, An open-air skating rink is in the plans and work on that will begin as soon as freeze-up arrives. “Not everybody is into sports 50 we arranged some other ac tivities which they can choose to take part in,’’ Sigurdson said, “We are doing a yearbook this year, the first in about three years, and we've put pool and card tables into the must purpose room for the students who would rather do those things.” He said the enthusiasm among students and staff members is en couraging. *‘We want the stu dents to feel the school is theirs to take pride in and to belong to, and this seems to be definitely helping. “We're noticing a change in the kids’ attitudes. There is less fighting and the students are working harder on school work so they have noon hours free to play. The presence of teachers, assistants and older kids with younger ones is providing a lot of positive monetling of be haviours and attitudes. The noon hour sports means that teachers are giving up some of their private time for lunch, but since there are two staff per team, they can work things out well so each can get some free time, Sigurdson said. Some of the St. Laurent School staff are non-resident in the community so after-school programs are not always possi ble. *But even some of the seven teachers who live in or near Winnipeg, are staying after school to coach teams and use their weekends and evenings for games.’ “This may be contrary to what others are doing, but I felt I had to do what I see as right for our school, so we put this pro gram together,’ Sigurdson said, “Each staff member was free to make his or her own decision on the matter; there was and is no pressure. “They're doing a great job and we're happy with the response and results. * One of two kindergarten classes at Arborg Elementary School makes casual-like for superintendent Dr. Rosalene Saleski, the photographer. Pictured left to right: Back row: Teacher Grace Marteinsson, Tristan Peterson, Justine Bodnar, Caylee Kristianson, Laura Fridfinnson, Stacey Friesen and Kelly Oleski. Middle row: Codey Emms, Denise Beaubien, Kaitlyn Bjornson, Terrell Weik, Patrick Finnsson, Travis Zinkowski, Sally Jo Fridfinnson and Ashley Janower; Front row: Parker Abuda, Carry Tang, Nolan Sigvaldason, Scott Einarson, Lorne Boundy and Anna Boundy.
Newspaper Details
Stonewall Interlake Spectator
Stonewall, Manitoba, CA
Mon, Oct 25, 1993
Page 24
Full Page
Clipped by
Christina W.
CA 14 Jun 2026
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