This year we are publishing a series of stories about our schools. Read them all here.

The community of Clyde is home to Eleanor Hall School and its 240 Kindergarten to Grade 9 students. The school which also houses the Early Learning C-PREP program, brings students of all ages together. Principal Nadine Marchand says, “The strong sense of community at Eleanor Hall School extends between grades, like a family.”

The school’s 28 staff members take responsibility for every student. Students know they can go to any staff member and that they are cared for by multiple adults in the building. Strong relationships with teachers and staff are built over time, allowing for easier transitions as students advance to higher grades.  Over time, staff get to know all the students, regardless of the grade they are in.

First Nations connection through house leagues

Two years ago, school staff were looking for a way to build school spirit, a sense of community and a way for students to experience healthy competition. Taking the lead in the project, teachers Michelle Savoie and Tara Thue hoped to also establish a First Nations connection. Guided by the Seven Sacred Teachings and using elements of the Medicine Wheel or Circle of Life, they developed the four houses—Spiritual, Emotional, Physical and Mental.

Marchand says, “The circle shape represents the interconnectivity of all aspects of one’s being, including the connection with the natural world. Within the circle are the four quadrants. A lot of people know them as the four directions—east, south, west and north. There are four winds and four elements—wind, fire, water and air.”

Before the first assembly of the year, staff and students were randomly assigned to houses. Students remain in their houses for their entire time at the school. New students and staff are added to houses when they join the Eleanor Hall community. Students work together to create a motto, a chant and an animal to represent their house. The houses meet on Fridays that students have school and work together on specific projects such as writing thank you cards to farmers, drawing messages on SADD liquor store bags, painting rocks for the front garden, and creating a mosaic mural for the school foyer.

Students can earn beads for their house. House containers are located in the foyer and beads are awarded for a variety of reasons, for example:

• Helping others without being asked
• Positive words in the classroom, playground
• Demonstrating school spirit
• Staying on task in class
• Positively representing the school within the community

Marchand says, “We know that as time goes on our house leagues will grow and develop.”

Clubs focused on wellness

Eleanor Hall School has a Student Wellness Action Team (SWAT) which consists of a group Junior High student volunteers. Modeled after a previous CTF class, this year it is being run as a club. Teacher Michelle Savoie who leads the club got the idea after touring schools during some CTF Professional Development she was involved in. The club organizes the K-3 Reindeer Games at Christmas, maintains an activity calendar, chooses ‘dress up days’, and assists with IKE Fest and other activities.

The school has a Recycle Team which is run by Program Assistant Chris Lantz who is passionate about caring for our environment. He organizes teams of students to collect recyclable materials from the classrooms and common areas in the school. The Recycle Team members learn about the importance of recycling and the impact of consumables on the environment. The students are proud of the important work they do and with the knowledge they gain, become informed advocates for our environment.

Another club in the school is Library Club which is run by the school’s music teacher Mrs. McNelly. This group of students learns how to a library is organized by sorting and putting books away. The students help with literacy initiatives and contests such as Author of the Month.

Proud athletics history

Eleanor Hall School has a long standing history of involvement in the division’s athletic programs. Each year the school has elementary and junior high age teams for soccer, volleyball, basketball, archery, badminton, and track and field. Many additional students participate in the Intramural sports are played during lunch breaks. To boost enthusiasm and to develop the school community, Eleanor Hall School has two pep rallies each year.  These events are enhanced by staff versus the students games. The entire school comes to watch and cheer everyone on. “The school spirit and involvement in our pep rallies are tremendous. It’s never difficult to get students involved, ” says Associate Principal Mrs. Buckley.

Parent volunteers and community involvement

Parental support is huge within the school and is essential to maintaining a connection with the community. Parents work together with the school to help turn ideas into action. “This year our parents helped coordinate a turkey dinner with all the fixings for all students to enjoy,” says Marchand. They also help out with the Terry Fox Run, The Christmas Store, The Easter Tea, and the Book Fair. “Each year we have a volunteer tea to show our appreciation to our amazing volunteers, and we use real china!” says school secretary Cindy Hnatiuk.

The school has had a breakfast and hot lunch program for more than a decade. They provide breakfast, snacks and lunch free of charge to students. Hnatiuk says, “We have benefited greatly from the government funding of the Breakfast Program and hope that it continues next year.”

Each May, the school holds IKE Fest, a community event in which students set up and explore booths, activities and games. Named after the school’s dragon mascot, IKE, the event culminates with a BBQ. It’s definitely a great event where the school and community come together.

One of the school’s more successful service projects such is their intergenerational “senior buddies” program. Each week seniors from the Westlock Continuing Care Centre visit students at the school where they partner with grade 2 students and play games like Bingo, floor curling, and bean bag toss. They also celebrate birthdays together-young and old. Grade 2 students also get an opportunity to visit the seniors at their home in Westlock.

Building relationships

Ms. Marchand beams about her amazing staff and how they truly care about the kids they teach. Positive relationships are a big priority and focuses on connections with kids’ social-emotional needs. The teachers regularly engage in Spirit Buddy time in ways that look different depending on the class. Some teachers pair students together to talk about their weekend or about a topic provided by the teacher. Others do it as a whole-class activity where students are asked to share. Either way, the purpose is to build listening and communication skills as well as social skills including but not limited to empathy.

Marchand says, “We are fortunate to have an excellent Success Coach in our school who works with many students.” This role is especially helpful for students who may be experiencing difficulties with friends, who may have something challenging happening at home, who may be experiencing conflict with other students or staff, or who just need a reliable adult to talk to. The school also has a wonderful Family School Liaison worker who leads a group called Girls Leading Others Wisely (GLOW). She also works with individual students and connects with the students’ families to assist them in any way needed.

One Grade 7 student said, “Eleanor Hall has a fun learning environment. The school is just so inviting. We have so much support in our school. There’s always someone to talk to whether it be Ms. Smit, our Success Coach, or your homeroom teacher.”

The leaders and staff at Eleanor Hall School are committed to bringing students and staff together, to create the best possible experience for all. We are proud of the work they do and look forward to sharing more about the unique opportunities they create for their students.