The hallways of A.R.E.S. were filled with families on April 27th and 28th for our first annual Learning Fair. Many parents have not been inside our building due to COVID restrictions, so this event was a perfect chance for parents to share in the celebration of their children’s success. The event was intended as an opportunity for A.R.E.S. students to have a voice in communicating their learning to parents. What are they proud of? What’s going well? What engages them at school? Where do they spend their day? It was a chance to see very authentic evidence of student learning.

Students were invited to bring their parents on either of the two early-dismissal days to participate in a special challenge. They received a Punch Card at the door, and then toured their families to each of the destinations listed on the card. Once families completed the visits to each location, they entered the card in a draw for a student from each class to win a Dairy Queen lunch with Mr. Adams and Mrs. Christenson.

In the library, Mrs. Walker, our Teacher-Librarian, had many stations set up so that students could demonstrate their skills with technology, such as Bloxels, M-Bots, Bee Bots, Osmos, Code.org, Kodable, and Makey Makey/Scratch. In the gym, aside from viewing some large samples of student learning, PAC offered coffee and snacks for parents to enjoy throughout the tour. Visitors also viewed the plans for our NEW PLAYGROUND, which will be installed at the beginning of August. In our newly renovated Fine Arts space, Mrs. Vandenberghe had some student work displayed, a quick activity for families to complete, and SHREK the Musical Jr. tickets were sold by cast members who were dressed in costume. In our Aboriginal Education Classroom, Josie Fullarton shared some of the work she does, and students taught their families a Ktunaxa greeting. Finally, in each child's classroom, students had work ready to share.

What a perfect way to reconnect with such an important component of our school – the ARES Families!

This article also appears in the Creston Valley Advance.

Darryl Adams | Principal

Tanya Christenson | Vice Principal

Adam Robertson Elementary School

421 9th Ave N.

Creston, BC

Office: 250-428-2051

Web: www.ares.sd8.bc.ca