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Last updateSat, 21 Sep 2024 12pm

Schools ramp up effort for Terry Fox Run

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A great tradition for students in Drumheller is showing their support for those battling cancer at the Terry Fox Run.
Greentree School will be holding its Terry Fox Run on Wednesday, September 29. About 70 students from Kindergarten to Grade 6 are actively fundraising and have set a goal of $1,000.
Organizer Penny Messom said the school is asking students to bring their own donations.
“Even if they have decided not to fundraise, even $1 can make a difference. Teachers are collecting these donations in their class until September 29,” she said.
She said the students will be learning in class more about Terry Fox through books, videos, and activities. During this day, the physical education classes will be participating in a Terry Fox Run at the field. From 2:20 to 3 p.m., the students who participated in fundraising will participate in a special run around the community and will be running with Messom and parent volunteers.
A school page has been set up that donations can be made to, and fundraising students can even create their own online page through the foundation. http://www.terryfox.ca/GreentreeElementary
Drumheller Valley Secondary School will be hosting their Terry Fox Run on Friday, October 1. It will coincide with a school-wide barbecue to celebrate the start of the school year.
Each grade 9-12 block 2 and each grade 7-8 block 2B class has been challenged to raise $175. Each successful class will receive a fully decorated cake on Tuesday, October 4 to share as a class during the period right before lunchtime.
St. Anthony’s is once again working hard to fundraise for the Terry Fox Run on Wednesday, September, 29. Gavin Makse, who organizes the event along with Maureen Peters said they are still working out details on how to run it because of COVID restrictions. Last year they staggered the run class by class.
“The goal this year is $6,500, which surpasses last year’s total,” said Makse.
While last year the total was lower because of restrictions, it still landed the school in the top 10 fundraisers in Alberta.
Already students are working towards raising funds. A group of students raised about $400 at a recent Dragons game, others are taking on other fundraising initiatives.
“Our parents, our students, and our staff do an awesome job,” said Makse.


Drumheller man facing charges in home invasion

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A Drumheller man is facing charges stemming from a recent home invasion in the Newcastle area.
Drumheller RCMP requested the assistance of the public in locating the suspect on Thursday, September 23; an update received on Monday, September 27 advised the suspect was in custody.
It is alleged a male entered a Newcastle residence wielding a weapon and stole personal items from the home occupants. None of the victims sustained any physical injuries.
The suspect was seen leaving the area of the residence in a black Ford Mustang.
As a result of the investigation, Patrick Robert Kimmel, 43, of Drumheller was identified and was charged with two counts of robbery with a weapon, break and enter, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and two counts of uttering threats.
After a judicial hearing, Patrick Kimmel, 43, from Drumheller, did not speak to bail and has been remanded to appear in provincial court in Strathmore on Friday, October 1.

Area schools observe National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

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Local area schools are making plans for how their staff and students will observe the new federal statutory holiday, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30.
The federal government announced in June this year that September 30 would become Canada’s newest federal holiday following the discovery of unmarked graves on the grounds of former residential schools throughout the country; Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, however, has left the decision of giving employees a paid day off up to individual employers.
“(Prairie Land School Division) has decided not to close schools (on September 30) as we felt a more impactful approach would be through education than giving a day-off where the intent of the day could be lost,” Prairie Land Superintendent Cam McKeage tells the Mail.
McKeage explains Prairie Land administration has taken guidance from their divisional Elder and the Prairie Land Indigenous Committee to create a day of education across the division. He adds students will celebrate Indigenous culture within the country, and create a better understanding of the meaning behind the day through various activities and presentations by guest speakers.
Golden Hills School Division announced on Tuesday, September 7 all schools will be closed on September 30; Golden Hills schools are also encouraged to participate in Truth and Reconciliation Week, an online event held between Monday, September 27 and Friday, October 1, and students will participate in Orange Shirt Day on September 29.
St. Anthony’s School, which is under the Christ the Redeemer Catholic School Division (CTR), will also be closed on September 30.
A motion to close all CTR schools for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was passed at a special board meeting on Friday, September 10 following consultation with Indigenous Elders, educational leaders, families, and community members.
“The primary reason for making the day a non-attendance day for staff and students was the symbolism of this action by standing with Indigenous people and stopping normal activities to honour and bring attention to Truth and Reconciliation,” says St. Anthony’s School Principal JoAnne Akerboom.
St. Anthony’s students will engage in a variety of activities in the week leading up to the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, including reading stories about Indigenous peoples and residential schools, discussions surrounding Every Child Matters and Orange Shirt Day,
Students and staff are encouraged to wear orange on Wednesday, September 29 and flags at St. Anthony’s will be lowered to half-staff.


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