LAC LA BICHE - For many of the preschool to Grade 6 students enrolled at École Sainte-Catherine and their families, the COVID-19 pandemic took away opportunities to meet and socialize with one another.
On Nov. 22, the small Lac La Biche francophone school with 41 students organized an evening dinner and games night to introduce parents and build a sense of community, said Lisa Sparks, secretary PAC executive.
“What we realized was we hadn’t been able to get together for events like this for the last two-and-a-half to three years. And there were children and parents in the school that we didn’t know… We wanted to put this event on to bring the parents together,” says Sparks, whose daughter is in Grade 6.
The event included a spaghetti dinner and sweet treats put together by the students’ parents. Over 20 adults and children gathered in the school's gymnasium, which Sparks says was a great turnout.
An important value for the small, tight-knit school’s parents and staff is to instill pride and effort about the importance of giving back, said Sparks.
“If your child sees their parents becoming involved in events like this or community events or volunteering events, it can only be the best example for them,” she said.
“[We want to] make sure the kids understand that… us coming together, and us making decisions as a group and us socializing as a group is what impacts their education.”
The small Lac La Biche school is activity working towards promoting French learning and offering students a billingual experience. The school is working towards increasing enrollment and building a solid foundation in the community since opening it's doors in 2014, said Principal Kathiana Marc.
"Since the beginning, parents have always been involved and a sense of community is an integral part of the school's value," she said"
"Events such as the spaghetti dinner or the key chain making activity that we did last year with Mrs. Noëlla Somerville allow new families to feel welcomed and integrated and for everyone to continue to share the joy of being together."
