The holiday season is a time for generosity, kindness, and connection — and across the division, students, staff, families, and community partners embraced that spirit in meaningful ways. From food and toy drives to intergenerational visits and community meals, our schools found countless ways to share and care for others. Here’s a snapshot of how the season of giving came to life in our schools and worksites this December.
Barrhead Composite High School (BCHS)
BCHS was bustling with holiday spirit and student leadership. A Teacher Appreciation Wall gave students a chance to share kind words and gratitude for staff, while the school’s annual Stuff-A-Bus Food Bank Drive collected an impressive 1,161 pounds of food and $75 in cash donations.
Students are also contributing to Santa’s Toy Box Drive, with each donation earning an entry to win a signed Bobby Hull print. Adding some festive fun, BCHS hosted a “Guess the Staff Member as a Teenager” contest for both students and staff, with daily winners and prizes.
Holiday cheer extended into the community when the Grade 9 Band filled the aisles of the Pembina West Co-op with Christmas carols on December 9. Meanwhile, Grade 7 Leadership students spent time at Keir Care, creating handmade decorations and building meaningful connections with seniors. See the school’s news post for more.
Dunstable School
Dunstable School students showed that giving back can be fun — and a little messy. Their Stuff-a-Stocking campaign collected 150 items, earning students the chance to pie the school’s Associate Principal, Mr. Ivey, in the face in January.
Through the Tree of Warmth, students donated 62 winter items, including hats, mitts, socks, shawls, and neck warmers. Families also contributed 40 food bank items during the school Christmas concert, organized by the parent council.
-
- Food Bank and Stuff a Stocking Donations
-
- Tree of Warmth
Eleanor Hall School
Eleanor Hall School students supported neighbours in need through a Food Bank Drive for the Westlock Food Bank, collecting 184 food items along with $50 in monetary donations.
Fort Assiniboine School
The school came together for their Annual Turkey Christmas Dinner on December 16. The event was made possible through volunteers and the generous donation of turkeys by Woodlands County Councillor Peter Kuelken, creating a warm and welcoming holiday celebration for students and staff. See the school’s Facebook post for more photos.
-
- Trustee Cindy Carswell helping serve
Neerlandia Public Christian School
Outreach Schools
Both outreach schools participated in the Adopt-A-Senior Christmas Program. Westlock Outreach students shopped locally to purchase pajamas and stocking stuffers for two seniors at Smithfield Lodge, delivering the gifts in person. Barrhead Outreach supported Hillcrest Lodge residents, purchasing gifts and stocking stuffers to help brighten the season.
-
- Parent volunteers and Trustee Nicholas McCann (back left)
Students also made a significant community impact through a Toonie Drive in November, raising $2,350.46 for the Westlock and District Food Bank. Additionally, the Grade 6 class collected winter clothing for Westlock FCSS and stayed to help sort donations during their December 15 delivery.
R.F. Staples School
Through the Christmas Star Angels Program, the R.F. Staples community filled 112 stars, providing gifts, gift cards, and monetary donations to help ensure students in need experienced extra joy during the holiday season.
Swan Hills School
Swan Hills School once again supported their community through a Stuff-A-Bus initiative, filling it with generous donations. See more photos on the school’s Facebook post.
Division Office
Staff at the Division Office contributed 132 pounds of food and more than $130 in monetary donations to the Barrhead Food Bank, rounding out a season of giving across the organization.