Elma Township PS hosts community electives

Local Journalism Initiative
·2 min read

NEWRY – The community has come together to broaden the horizons of students at Elma Township Public School. The school implemented a new trial program for their students in Grades 5 - 8. The ‘Community Electives’ program offered students a glimpse of new skills and hobbies. The three-week program was held one afternoon per week, during which a variety of community volunteers came into the school to teach the kids about their profession or to share expertise.

“Amazing, giving, talented individuals from our community have volunteered their time and for many their resources to be a part of this initiative. Some have taken work off, some employers have provided staff to make this happen, others just wanted to support the school and students,” explained the Elma Township PS newsletter.

And their one goal?

“To bring school and community together, to introduce students to a life skill or hobby, to find new interests, to work together, to manage stress and support mental health, and above all to have fun while making special school memories!” stated the newsletter.

There were a wide range of electives for the students to choose from. Students chose their top five and spent all three weeks building those skills with their team leader in each elective. These included; bee studying with Kayla Adams; bracelet making with Lori Verluis and Julia Dixon; cake decorating with Amanda Kocher; sewing with Gayle Ludington; painting with Megan Fish; Life skills with Becca Hymers and Teresa Fulop; Fire prevention, safety and cooking with Amanda Walker and Ron Dozios; knitting with Kate Bancroft and Tessa Purcell; woodworking with Justin Curran; electricity with Fraser Cossar; makeup with Megan Connell; hairdressing with Ellen Pleiter;- Construction with Jesse Beirnes, Mike Gibson, Thomas Taplay; Squash with Alan McArthur; Ukrainian Egg Decorating with Dorothy Tymchyshyn and; Photography & Film with Seth Nichol and Evelyn Riddell.

And already there are people interested in volunteering if the school chooses to run the program again.

“Some of the electives that we’ve done are more life skills, such as makeup or cooking. Others have brought in different trades… So they’ve gotten a variety of life skills and maybe a hobby,” said Elma Township PS teacher, Joan Dixon.

“Lots of memories are being created and the kids are just excited to be here!”

Melissa Dunphy, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Listowel Banner

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