Pre-Christmas activities at the Kamsack Comprehensive Institute include the regular fundraising for the less fortunate, participation in community events and opportunities for eating and socializing, in addition to listening to the voice of a completely new student group.
Persons attending Kamsack’s Moonlight Madness event on November 25 saw several KCI students participating.
The school’s Free the Children group painted faces of children during the Santa Claus reception at the seniors’ centre, and members of the Student Leadership Council (SLC) delivered hot chocolate to businesses that participated.
Members of the KCI Students Against Drinking and Driving (SADD) took part in the parade, handing out candy to children and red ribbons advising healthy driving habits to other spectators.
The SADD members, who walked the parade with their sign, accompanied the school’s newest group, a “gay-straight alliance” called GLOW which stands for “Gay, Lesbian, Or Whoever.”
Members of the GLOW group asked students to wear red on December 1, which was HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.
“Wear red to recognize your awareness,” said a message from the club. “HIV/AIDS greatly impacts our health region and affects many people in our area.”
December is a month of many fundraisers going on for both the community and the school, said information from Breanna Bland, a spokesperson.
“Our annual Christmas hamper campaign is now underway,” Bland said, adding that the school’s fruit-and-cookie dough fundraiser ended in November, and the orders were to be picked up after school on December 6 at KCI.
Money raised from the fundraiser goes towards filling Christmas hampers, she said. “Along with our fruit-and-cookie dough fundraiser, the SLC is collecting non-perishable food items.
“Candy grams are also being sold at KCI with all the proceeds to go towards food for the Christmas hamper campaign.”
The campaign provides food for families with students at KCI and Victoria School, she said. Up to 30 families receive hampers made from non-perishable food items.
“Our Christmas hampers are prepared by members at KCI, including the Grade 7 students and SLC members.
“In this fundraiser, we have awesome support from the community, whether it is donations or helping organize the hampers,” Bland said.
At KCI there are two other school fundraisers happening, she said, adding that one is the Peak of the Market fundraiser, which is a produce fundraiser.
All order forms for Peak of the Market goods needed to be turned in by yesterday (December 7) and the produce that is ordered is to arrive for distribution on December 14.
“The awesome thing about Peak of the Market is that there is opportunity to donate fresh produce to the Christmas hampers,” she said.
Another school fundraiser at KCI is the Holiday Planter fundraiser, she said. KCI has partnered with Flower House Florist & Garden Design to offer three different sizes of holiday planters. Orders for holiday planters need to be in by December 12. There are three pick-up days for the planters: December 1, 8, and 15. Purchasers will be emailed or called when orders are ready for pick-up.
Both fundraisers support the activities of students at KCI, she said.
To kick off the holiday season, the SLC has planned a number of holiday themed spirit days, including Holiday Hat Fridays, Red/Green Day, and Mitt and Toque Day.
December 20 is the last day of school for KCI students in 2016, she said. “On this day we will have our traditional holiday supper.
“It’s a great time for all students to connect with one another and help create a school community.
“In the afternoon, KCI will be hosting an alumni basketball game,” she said urging all KCI alumni who are interested in playing to email either Wendy.Shabatoski or Glenda.Tulloch @gssd.ca.
