The Alberta Teachers’ Association

PHOTO COURTESY OF TIMBERLEA SCHOOL

It costs $100 to keep one person warm during a Fort McMurray winter. This was one of many things that Timberlea Public School students learned from participating in the ­Centre of Hope’s “Heat the Streets” annual Raise the Roof campaign. On ­February 4, ­students bought special toques from the Centre or wore their own for a toonie on Toque Tuesday to support relief for homelessness in the city. Fort McMurray’s only daytime drop-in centre for homeless and near-homeless adults, the Centre of Hope operates with the goal of actively supporting adults toward self-sufficiency and independence. Toque Tuesday is a nationwide incentive to raise awareness and funds for homelessness in Canada.

The students responded very positively when the idea was raised of taking action to support their community. “They were on board right away,” says Shannon Dube, a Grade 2 teacher at Timberlea School. Hundreds of students participated by buying toques and wearing their toques all day, very excited that they were helping people by doing so.

Dube added, “It’s important to engage students in community activities because it builds empathy, cooperation and community spirit. Students at our school know they have a close school community but also know that other people beyond our school need our support as well.”

Nancy Gauthier, communications coordinator at Fort McMurray Public School District, says it’s important for students to understand that education can come from a book but it also can come from being part of the community and giving back to the community— “It’s a great way to work on character building in the schools and that’s very important for all of the kids.”

Students learned that it is not cheap or easy to survive without shelter in the winter, but they also learned that a small contribution, like a toonie, can make a big difference. Timberlea School teachers and students raised $4,000 for the Centre of Hope.

Is your school involved in helping out your community? Send us your story and photos for publishing in the ATA News. ❚