Party at the Playground

Party at the Playground

Rosanne Fortier News Correspondent

Mental Health Capacity Building Vegreville (MHCB) partnered with St. Martin’s School and A.L. Horton School to give children a fun and relaxed introduction to kindergarten at the schools’ playgrounds on August 27 and 28. St. Martin’s School presented this event on August 27 where children entering kindergarten and their parents or guardians were greeted by MHCB Coordinator, Kirstin McSween and MHCB Wellness Coach, McKenna Makowecki where they received name tags and healthy snacks.

After this, they played in the playground with their future classmates.

McKenna Makowecki said the objective of this event is for the children to get to know their classmates and their teacher. “The first day of school can create anxiety in some students so this gives them a chance to hang out together and play. We picked the schools’ playgrounds that the kids will be using for recess to make it in a familiar setting. We played some games together so the kids get to work together and know each other this way. This event is meant to ease any anxiety the children have about their first day in kindergarten.”

From there, the Principal of St. Martin’s School, Mr. Kucy, Assistant Principal, Mrs. Sorochan, Kindergarten teacher-Mrs. Cheryl Zacharkiw, and MHCB Vegreville staff-McSween and Makowecki introduced themselves while they explained what their role would be in the students’ lives and what they would be doing at the Party in the Playground. Also, teaching Nature Kindergarten this year is Mrs. Bronwyn McMaster. The children then went on to play some games which were followed by Mrs. Zacharkiw reading them a story about the first day of kindergarten. All the children went home with goodie bags and the kindergarten students and their siblings who entered the free contest and guessed the right amount of gumballs there were in a jar received a prize.

This same pattern was followed for A.L. Horton School on August 28 except there was a different group of parents, students, and staff. At this school, McSween and Makowecki also introduced themselves to the parents and children. After this, EICS Trustee, Mr. Randy Footz, the new Principal, Mr. Matt Spronk, Assistant Principal, Mr. Arndt, and Kindergarten Teacher, Heather Lavergne explained their roles at the school.

As well, children played all the games inside the school’s gym and in the school’s playground and Lavergne read the children a story about beginning school.