A wave of handmade poppies adorn the Rotary Trail behind Ecole Vickers. (Submitted photo/Cheslie Bergen)

By paNOW Staff

Honouring Veterans

École Vickers School embraces Remembrance Day with sustainable poppy project

Nov 10, 2024 | 9:00 AM

A wave of handmade poppies adorn the Rotary Trail behind École Vickers school in Prince Albert.

Every student was asked to create a poppy out of natural or recycled materials to display as a tribute to Canada’s fallen heroes. Vice principal Chelsie Bergen said the school recently became designated as a ‘Forest School.’

“We strongly value hands-on experience in natural settings to support the development of a lifelong relationship between the learner and the natural world. So, it made sense to take part of our Remembrance Day ceremony outdoors,” she said.

Students made the poppies from natural or recycled material. (Submitted photo/Chelsie Bergen)

Ahead of the ceremony, students were interviewed by the Grade 8 classroom about the importance of honouring Remembrance Day. Bergen said responses included:

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“Honouring and remembering the veterans.”

“Respect and peace among countries.”

“So that we don’t forget about the fallen and so that we don’t do the same thing over again.”

“To be grateful that we are living right here, right now.”

The formal part of the ceremony was held in the school gym and was entirely student-led. It included musical contributions from the school choir, band, and Grade 2 class using hand bells.

Bergen said the students were eager to make a special gesture by placing their handmade poppies on the fence.

“When asked how they felt about doing something different this year, some of the responses were that it felt more special because the whole school went outside and did something together,” said Bergen. “And it was something new and fun that they could do for the rest of the neighbourhood to see and enjoy.”

One of the poppies created by students at Ecole Vickers. (Submitted photo/Cheslie Bergen)

Remembrance Day ceremonies continue in Prince Albert Monday at the armoury starting at 11 a.m. Shellbrook is hosting an event at the theatre there. The public is advised to arrive to both ceremonies by 10:30 a.m.

Remembrance Day is marked at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11 because the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918 was when armies stopped fighting the First World War in which more than 60,000 Canadians lost their lives.

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panews@pattisonmedia.com