b'54 2019-2020 | ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020 | ANNUAL REPORT 55DISTANCE CANT After a brief morning meeting, the students gravitatedCharlotte Turenne, a teacher at J.H. Bruns Collegiate, to each other and immediately started interacting. I waswho was also a part of the days activities, said she once again reminded how often childrens friendships andloved seeing how quickly two communities separated connections see no boundaries or barriers. The studentsby 465 kilometres could form bonds. The thing that will STOP FRIENDSHIPS from both schools clearly had many differences in theirstay with me is how excited the kids were to create new experiences, opportunities and backgrounds, but whatrelationships, and I mean all the kidsfrom the young brought them together naturally were the things they hadGrade 1s to the most mature Grade 12 students. The little in common: the love of interaction, friendship, belonging,ones who immediately started holding hands with their FROM FLOURISHING fun and play. guests really showed what its all aboutwere inthis together.At Marion School, students from both schools sat together in groups at tables and shared information aboutthemselves and a little about their communities.It did not take long before the students were smiling and laughing with each other, said Alana White, vice-principal,WHAT BROUGHT THEMMarion School. Lead by Bobbie-Jo Leclair, a member BACK IN MAY 2019, A GROUP OF EIGHT STUDENTS AND FIVE STAFF FROM THE LOUIS RIELof the LRSD Indigenous Education team, and joined by Grandmother Chickadee and Grandmother Pahan, theTOGETHER NATURALLY WERESCHOOL DIVISION (LRSD) HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF VISITING THE COMMUNITY OF ST. THERESAstudents had an opportunity to make slime, decorate cookies and bags. The classroom was buzzing withTHE THINGS THEY HAD INPOINT FIRST NATION IN NORTHERN MANITOBA.positive energy and you could see genuine friendships being made.COMMON: THE LOVE OFThe trip was the culmination of a student-led initiativeat Darwin School while students in Grade 5 and 6 spentThe students had lunch together and watched a movie to create a partnership with an Indigenous communitytheir morning at Marion School. All students joinedwhile waiting to be joined at Marion School by the groupINTERACTION, FRIENDSHIP,and to join paths on a shared journey of reconciliation.together at Marion School for afternoon activities and anwho started the day at Darwin School. In the afternoon, Over the course of the week-long trip, relationships wereevening feast. Student leaders and staff from J.H. Brunswhen all the groups were together, several activities wereBELONGING, FUN AND PLAY.strengthened, and friendships formed between the visitorsCollegiate supported this full day of friendship building. set up such as jigging and cooperative gym games to and hosts. continue building relationships in a fun and engaging way. St. Theresa Point students were partnered with friends- Annalee LawrenceIn February 2020, an opportunity to host members offrom Darwin School that were the same age and gradeOver the course of the day, what was noticeable was the St. Theresa Point First Nation community becamelevel. After a quick virtual field trip through Googlehow initial shyness soon faded, and the kids got to know available and the students once again took the lead.Earth, students shared where their school was located ineach other through their activities in the music room, Two of the original leaders, Nika Martinussen and KelseySt. Theresa Point and in return Darwin School studentsand making some pretty impressive slime, said Julie McLeod, who have since graduated, instilled theirshared some significant landmarks in and aroundCote-Marinelli, principal, J.H. Bruns Collegiate. By the commitment to this partnership into two new leaders,Winnipeg, said Nicholas Kelly, principal, Darwin School.afternoon, they were jumping, tumbling, and running Avery Shtykalo and Tristen Ryz. These two J.H. BrunsStudents were fascinated by the fact that they all live andaround the gym as if theyd known each other forever.Collegiate students invited younger classmates to getgo to school in the same province but are located soinvolved to help the first relationships expand to a largerfar apart.circle. Knowing that it could be challenging to keep a large number of children organized and engaged, the studentsAnnalee Lawrence, a Darwin Grade 3/4 teacher, who spent many hours planning and preparing a wide range ofwas the lead teacher during the St. Theresa Point visit fun activities. to the school, was pleased to see how childrens natural curiosity made quick work of any nervousness about In the end, the itinerary had St. Theresa Point First Nationmaking new friends.students in kindergarten to Grade 4 spend the morning'