‘I Can’ celebrates students of all abilities

“We had about 120 participants, the weather was really good, lots of volunteers, so we’re pretty happy,” Bannister said. “The students from North West College served at our booth and our local Lions club helped out. As always, we had the Northwest School Division staff, and people from Prairie North and Positively Parenting. We had a lot of parents come this year – the most we’ve seen in a while. We also had 21 groups of students this year which is more than we generally have.”

Organizers are working with another school to start the initiative in North Battleford next week.

“The event is open to any student that the teachers and staff feel would benefit from an event like this,” Bannister said. “It keeps them busy, they get ribbons [and] they’re so proud. That to me is most important, you see them smiling and showing off their ribbons. They’re so proud of themselves, and they should be.”

There are a wide variety of activities involved with the event including throwing events, running events, a hockey shoot, and some jumping events. Bannister added that for older students there are more active events, and also mentorship opportunities.

“The last couple of years, if some student wants to come as assistant leaders or a leader’s helper, they’ll give out the ribbons and carry the clipboards,” she said. “It’s a good way of getting the older ones involved, but they can also participate in the games, nobody says that you can’t.”

Amber Stang said her 11-year-old son Ben loves the event, and has participated for the last few years. She said this year he also took part in the conventional track and field meet at his school, and noted the non-competitive nature of the ‘I Can’ Games is a truly positive environment.

“It is his absolute favourite day of the school year,” she said. “He loves the challenges and the obstacles, but also seeing the same kids every year. At the ‘I Can’ Games, the students just get to pick what colour ribbon they want, instead of competing against each other. And that never prevents them from trying their best and doing everything as well as they can.”

Stang said she appreciates the efforts of those involved in hosting the event.

“It pushes our kids to the front of the pack for the day,” she said. “It’s amazing how well everything runs, the volunteers and truly make that day so special for everyone. I think everyone at the schools should experience it at some point. Also, so many people travel from such a distance to take part, which is such a beautiful testament to how important that day is.”

Anne Marie Boyer’s son Avery Durocher is seven years old, and attended his second ‘I Can’ Games this year. She said she appreciates that the activities are designed to reach everyone’s capabilities and that students can go at their own pace.

“It leaves the participants with a feeling of accomplishment and pride, and nobody gets left out,” she said. If they need to sit one out, they can. It’s very flexible.”

She said she finds the smiles on everyone’s faces – mixed with excitement conjured by the ‘I Can’ Games – to be very inspirational.

“Whether they are a participant or a bystander or volunteer, you really see and feel that encouragement and genuine support from everyone who is there, stranger or not,” she said. “One student who is older picked me out of the crowd and needed to show me all [the] ribbons she earned so far. We didn’t know each other but that didn’t matter, she received a ribbon of her favorite colour for each event she did, and she felt awesome about it.”

kathy.gallant@jpbg.ca

On Twitter @ReporterKath

by meadowlakeNOW

‘I Can’ celebrates students of all abilities

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