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Stories
MEETING RECAP - JUNE 5th, 2017
 

 

JUNE 5th, 2017 - KING GEORGE SCHOOL - NEW READING ROOM

 

President Jack called our special meeting to order in the Rotary sponsored Reading Room of King George School, a beautiful heritage structure built in 1912. Rotarians were well represented and numerous teachers and reading resource folks were in attendance, joining Wayne M. in a robust signing of our anthem.

The school Elder Dorothy, of Ojibwa heritage delivered a bi-lingual and heartfelt blessing.

Jack briefly reminded club members that "dues be due" and also of the President's dinner on June 26. As well, Centennial Celebration tickets can be purchased on pic-a-tic, with a target of 380 tickets still to go!

Rotarian Joanne F., our King George program leader, spoke to the history of our involvement, beginning with the Christmas Market program she and her team spearheaded three years ago.

Working with the Literacy Liaison coordinator, King George identified a poorly used storage room that could be re-purposed as a reading and resource room for use by students, their parents and the broader community.

Funding from Rotary and other community based organizations helped with the redecoration, supplying of books, a computer, original artwork, and even a Tee Pee where readers can quietly hangout.

Vice Principal Carmen, Christa and Melissa all spoke as literacy coordinators, and introduced a young mother whose elementary school daughter is now reading at grade level thanks in part to the reading room assistance.

Many families in the community take in children from remote communities for the school year and greatly appreciate the reading rooms' other uses such as student registration.

Elder Dorothy talked about the smudging process that will be soon introduced on Mondays. Using materials like cedar and sweet grass, the ceremony is described as a spiritual process to help children, many with troubled home environments, relax and become centered as individuals.

The Health Region also plays an augmenting role in serving the 165 kids at King George.

Other cultures are welcome and have included recent Syrian refugee families participating in a Pow Wow.

Literacy and culture are key tenets of the reading room. A sense of belonging gives a sense of self to the students. Partnerships with organizations such as Rotary are essential to the success of the program. And books are always needed, so please check your basements and bookshelves for suitable donations.
 
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