ÉGM Year in Review

Once restrictions had lifted and life returned to normalcy, students and staff were very busy with learning and activities in and outside the classroom. Here is a review of what has taken place at École George-McDowell this year.

Project-Based Learning (PBL)

Our students engaged in several PBL initiatives this year. In the Fall, our Grades 7 and 8 students answered the following driving question: “How do we acknowledge that different experiences shape how each person sees the world?” After an introduction to the concept of worldview, students were asked to consider how each of us has a unique perspective on life that is shaped by our upbringing, values, influences, and beliefs. Students researched Indigenous Nations of Manitoba to learn about what their lives were like before European settlers arrived. They furthered their understanding of the topic by watching videos, playing Minecraft (Manito Ahbee Aki), and even participated in a simulation of First Contact. Through their research, they discovered the value and worth of Indigenous worldviews, creating visual representations of Indigenous worldviews with paintings, sculptures, traditional ceremonies, beadwork, foods and so much more. Their work was displayed during an open forum for parents and friends to attend and was a huge success.

Our Grade 6 students also worked on their driving question: ‘‘How do we create a zoo that classifies new species of animals, taking into account adaptations that allow them to survive?" They created new species for our ÉGM zoo following exploration at Henteleff Park, a presentation with Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre, and research to learn more about the needs of different species. They then displayed their creations in our Learning Commons for other students to learn more about their diverse needs.

In the Spring, all students took part in a Genius Hour where they developed project ideas based on their passions. We had students designing architectural structures, longboards, hockey sticks and lawn furniture, creating music, developing their skills with tricks on snowboards and soccer balls, learning to cook, sew, knit and crochet, creating websites and writing books. It was amazing to experience firsthand their talent and perseverance.

Finally, all students ended the year by taking part in a school wide PBL through Minecraft. Through the Level Up initiative, students learned about sustainability, equity, and urban planning to reimagine how our city’s downtown can be a place where everyone is connected. Deep class conversations and brainstorms about these concepts were planned and facilitated by our teachers to prepare students for a learning experience valuing collaboration, communication, student voice and citizenship. All of them recorded a video sharing their design proposal, explaining how it helps answer the following driving question: “How can we envision a connected, equitable, and sustainable downtown that moves Winnipeg forward without leaving anyone behind?”

In addition to this learning, many of our students also participated in related events outside our school walls. These included a Press Conference at City Hall, a teaching session with the LRSD Trustees and members of Senior Leadership to demonstrate how to navigate the Minecraft Platform used to learn about our downtown and build their ideas, time spent learning about our city with Murray Peterson, a local historian and Minecraft non-player-character player and a final celebration at the Canadian Museum of Human Rights where Max Kobe spoke on our students’ behalf to dignitaries and attendees.

Student submissions were then shared with City Hall and specific municipal departments. Shelters, a recovery center, parks and greenhouses are some examples of ideas shared by our students and demonstrate the level of empathy and generosity seen throughout this project. These proposals from some of our Jaguars will therefore be studied and considered by the Mayor, City Council and other departments in planning our city’s downtown! 

Our science team also created a lesson to end the year as part of their Fluids unit, following professional development workshops with the Manitoba Teachers’ Society Collaboration Grant team. For this PBL, students had to move an object, using two syringes, two tubes and either air or water to design an hydraulics system. Their devices were very creative and allowed them to put their scientific and engineering skills to good use. 

Natural Helpers

In October, twenty-one Grade 7 and 8 students participated in Natural Helpers training. Having been identified by their peers as students that they can confide in and look to for support, these students participated in activities to develop their leadership skills, which then translated into their connections with their peers throughout the year. 

 

Indigenous Youth Leadership

This year was the first time for our Indigenous Youth Leadership Committee. Following the work that students did around our first PBL, a number of students requested that a leadership committee be created so that they could continue their learning. Through the support of our LRSD Indigenous Learning Team, and a visit with Nahanni Fontaine, students came together to participate in special ceremonies, and learning activities. These teachings were carried into their everyday life around sustainability and eco-friendly practices.

 

Grade 7/8 Ski Trip

This year was the first time in three years that students participated in an overnight ski trip to Asessippi in February. Aside from ridiculously cold temperatures, and a few injuries, students and staff enjoyed skiing and snowboarding and a stay at the Russell Inn.

 

Sports

This year, our Grade 7 & 8 students were able to participate in LRSD sports, including Cross-Country, Volleyball, Basketball, Badminton and Track & Field. Due to their hard work and dedication, our teams came home with banners in the following sports: Grade 7/8 Champions in Cross-Country, Finalists in Volleyball for Grade 8 Girls, Champions in Volleyball for Grade 8 Boys, Champions in Basketball for Grade 8 Boys, Runners-Up in Badminton for Grades 7/8 and Champions in Track & Field for Grades 7/8 AAA. Well done!

 

Thanks to Manitoba Wheelchair Sport Association, we were also able to organize wheelchair games for our students during a one-week period this term during their physical education classes. Laila J. was pivotal in demonstrating her expertise and supporting her peers’ coordination when using the wheelchairs during basketball games, etc.

 

Festival Théâtre Jeunesse

Students participated in the annual Festival Théâtre Jeunesse competition at the CCFM. It was a busy week, with many rehearsals, a performance in front of the school, and then the festival itself. Students had the opportunity to watch plays from eight other French Immersion and Français schools as part of the festival and were able to participate in workshops that helped to hone their Dramatic Arts skills in French! The troupe worked so hard on their play and put in countless hours of rehearsing, making props, designing, and shopping for costumes, and much more. ÉGM's play was called Le Masque, a play about the pressure and influence of social media on the life of the young protagonist, Stéphanie, to appear perfect, when her life was anything but. Le Masque was extremely well-received by judges at the festival, and ÉGM cleaned up at the gala on Friday night, taking home the following awards:

  • Silver for Best Text (drama)
  • Silver for Best Actress (Cienna Coulter)
  • Bronze for Best Supporting Actor (Dion Smeets)

Bravo la troupe ÉGM!

Community Support

Students took on many fundraising projects this year to give back to our community, including the collection of feminine hygiene products for Menstruation March, food for our Christmas hampers, funds to support Rainbow Camp, as well as the eventual purchase of new playground equipment. Our students’ and families’ support of these initiatives is very much appreciated.

 

Thanks to Caleb Hettrick and Mme Kayleigh Munro, students also learned about the different facets of autism. Together, they created a PowerPoint to teach students about the impact of autism and how to best support their peers. It was a very powerful day of learning.

 

It’s All About Me

As part of our science program, students took part in the It’s All About Me program through the St. Boniface Research Foundation, where they spent time learning about the anatomy of the eye and dissecting them. After a few initial expressions of squeamishness, students got down to business and followed along with the facilitator. It was a great learning experience as part of our Optics science unit.

 

The Arts

Students participated in the annual Arts in Action program at St. Vital Centre, where their talents were on display in center court in May.

 

We were also able to enjoy a full concert with Band, Guitar and Choir students at the end of May. The participants have certainly made a lot of progress since September!

 

Maisons JAG

Students were grouped into specific ‘maisons’ this year, made up of Grade 6 to 8 students. These homes were based on animals whose natural habitats are jungles, much like our mascot, the jaguar. Following several meetings where the teams took part in activities that helped them gain points for their team, they ended the season with a very enthusiastic assembly. This year, the Costa Rican sloths took home the grand prize with their athleticism, creativity and team spirit.

 

Looking forward to next year’s activities!