Glenbow School students will be celebrating diversity and one of the official languages of Canada with their fifth annual French Culture Week, taking place from Feb. 27 to Mar. 3.
Assistant principal of the Cochrane-based elementary school, Sarah Caldwell – better known by her students as Madame Caldwell – said several activities are planned for students throughout the week to promote French-Canadian culture.
“Today the students are making a version of the voyageur, or Métis sash,” Caldwell said on Monday. “We are going to be building our version of the Quebec City Palais de glace, or Ice Palace. Our version is going to be an ice wall outside of the school, and we are doing that tomorrow.”
In addition to a traditional French-Canadian snack later on in the week for staff, students will view a special musical performance, followed by a maple taffy tasting. On the final day of the week, the Grade 4 students are planning a day of outdoor activities.
“We just have lots of things going on to celebrate French-Canadian culture,” Caldwell said.
With students and staff looking forward to the annual event all year, Caldwell said French Culture Week gives students the chance to participate in fun and engaging learning activities.
“Because our school is bilingual, and the Grade 4 students on the English side get to learn and practice French, it’s a good opportunity for them to practice those skills in a fun and engaging way,” Caldwell said.
As an educator, Caldwell said celebrating bilingualism is incredibly important. She said French Culture Week teaches students about celebrating both differences and similarities.
“I think celebrating French Culture Week fosters that kind of [view] of how important it is that we are different, the same, and we are all learning in this really special school,” she said.
As part of the committee organizing the event, Caldwell said she loves seeing the students come together and celebrate French Culture Week every winter.
“It’s fun to see kids getting a chance to practice the language they are learning, or learn some words in a language they haven’t had the chance to speak very often,” Caldwell said.
“I think it’s exciting to see kids learn together, from each other, and realize how special it is we have two official languages in Canada, and they’re both in our school and many part of our amazing country.”
