Distracting with gingerbread!

Some evacuated students, mainly from the Merritt area, had a chance for a little fun and distraction as they took part in a gingerbread house building afternoon at the SD83 District Education Support Centre (DESC) on Thursday, December 2.

Teacher Laureen Mayer came up with the idea and was helped out by other SD83 staff including Sydney Griffith, Barb Keehn, Roni Ault and Val Edgell.

The event was held to be a fun event for the kids and perhaps an hour or so of respite to parents, who may be needed to run errands or have a little quiet time as some are evacuated to small hotel rooms with not much to do.

The activity got a thumbs up and thank you from one of Merritt’s school principals, Becky Puterbough, who said how much they appreciated the gesture. “I cannot begin to explain how much this face-to-face connection means to our students and families right now.   It is not easy knowing how scattered our school community is at this time, but it truly helps to know that they are being looked after by people like yourselves.”

There have been other activities for children from evacuated areas including books, games, puzzles and stuffies available free at the DESC (there are still some available), and,gym nights have been held. Some students have joined SD83 schools and will attend until they can return home.