From Wizardry to the Festival of Trees!

Fall 2019 has been busy for the junior high girls in the Nellie L. McClung program, with many fun memories created! October 28th kicked off the third annual wizarding “Harry Potter” week at Nellie. During this week teachers and students immerse themselves in the wizarding world by morphing their classes to include subjects such as potions, magical government compared to federal government, Quidditch, Latin word roots to decode spells, and mapping Hogwarts Castle. During this week students are encouraged to represent their houses by adding to their uniform pieces and, to add to the effect, teachers roam the halls wearing cloaks and hats! This is week is highly anticipated by all students. 

Following the initial ceremony the houses gathered and focused on team building skills to create a chant. The first day also included quill making and designing some fantastic beasts! Throughout the week each house collects points with the intent of being awarded the house cup. This award is a great honor and earns bragging rights for the whole year. “My favorite part [of the week] is watching the students work together as teams to get house points,” said Jennifer Severson, Grade 9 teacher.

Later this year the Nellie students spent a day volunteering at the Festival of Trees. This year approximately 30 students from grades 7 and 9 from both campuses attended. (Usually all grades attend, however this year there were scheduling conflicts.) The Nellie students helped out with the tree guardians, backstage hands, cookie decorators, Santa’s den helpers, reading nook, ornament creation, greeters, and gingerbread station. 

Volunteering is one of the foundations of the Nellie program and is emphasized throughout the year. Students are given a minimum number of volunteer hours to be completed by the end of the year. If students go above or beyond these minimums they receive volunteer awards at the end of the year (bronze, silver, and gold). The Festival of Trees is a favorite volunteer event for Nellie students. Other volunteer opportunities including working in the Moose Store, community days, as well as other events throughout the school year.

The New Year will bring the 3rd annual Power of Women (POW) conference, CEEDS week, and the annual trip for grade 8 and 9 students. As well, 2020 is the 25 year anniversary of the Nellie L. McClung girls’ junior high program in Edmonton! So much to look forward to and so many experiences to be grateful for!