School was in session at Walnut Grove Secondary School (WGSS) on Friday, Dec. 22, the last day before winter break.
But as the arms of the clock stretched past 9 a.m., many of the classrooms were empty and the halls were full of wandering students.
Vice-principal Logan Kitteringham, a WGSS alum, was OK with that. For 65 minutes, students from Grades 8 to 12 were allowed a 鈥楥hristmas flex鈥� to enjoy the school鈥檚 Winter Holiday Extravaganza, which had a dual purpose 鈥� a chance for the students to have some fun before Christmas and to raise money by donation for some local causes, including a shelter for homeless youth in the community.
Much of this open house was student driven and fostered student leadership, according to Kitteringham, who noted, 鈥淚t is the first time we have tried anything like this in our 26-year history.鈥�
In past years, teachers put on a show that included lip-syncing and a flash mob, during an assembly at the end of the school day, before winter break.
The challenge was that WGSS鈥檚 main gym could only hold a certain number of students, so only about half of the student body (which is nearly 2,000 kids) stuck around to take in the festivities, Kitteringham said.
鈥淭he kids enjoyed that but after a few years, it gets a bit tired and they expect more and more,鈥� Kitteringham said.
This year, WGSS went in a different direction, with stations for the students to visit at their leisure. Highlights included propane fire pits used to cook marshmallows and hotdogs, an eggnog chug and Christmas gift-wrapping challenge, a 鈥橤roves Got Talent contest, SPCA rescue dogs rubbing noses with students, and much more.
Leading up to the Winter Extravaganza, students created two videos to help raise donations for the SPCA and 91原创 Youth Shelter.
Speaking on behalf of the youth homeless shelter cause was Grade 10 student Caitlin Bush, who together with her peers is raising awareness for the 91原创 youth homeless shelter and 鈥渢he youth homeless problem we have in 91原创.鈥�
鈥淲e (are) hoping to raise awareness to the cause and hopefully supply the shelter with enough donated money too provide youth with a safe, hospitable place that they can use,鈥� Bush said, in an email to The Times.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69cAQyHo3G8&t=23s
