Silver Creek FireSmart Classroom Winner

Silver Creek was one of three winners of FireSmart BC’s first-ever classroom contest and celebrated with a pizza party featuring Ember the FireSmart Fox on Friday, January 10.

The students first took part in a FireSmart presentation where they learned age-appropriate information about fire safety, fire science, ecosystem stewardship, and wildfire mitigation and prevention.

Between September 30 and November 4, 2024, schools across BC took part in the FireSmart Education Program by submitting class photos showing how they learned about wildfire prevention and safety. With nearly 40 entries, three lucky winners were randomly selected: Millstream Elementary in Langford, Colquitz Middle School in Victoria and Silver Creek Elementary!

Silver Creek won a pizza party with Ember! Their Grade 4 to 6 students worked together on helpful habits to improve wildfire safety. Representatives from FireSmart, including Ember the Fox, and the local fire department will be coming to the school in January to celebrate with the students.

Tasha Schneider, who teaches Grade 4-6 at Silver Creek, shared how the contest tied into classroom learning. Inspired by a fire safety presentation from the local fire chief during Fire Safety Week in October, three of the four classes at the school participated in the contest. “All the lessons were made by teachers and all have a curricular tie-in,” Schneider explained. “My students were actively involved in the lesson and enjoyed working with partners and doing the think-pair-share activity.”

Millstream Elementary School (Langford, BC) won a new iPad for use in their classrooms. Their Kindergarten class completed the lesson “What does a FireSmart home look like?” outdoors with FireSmart Coordinator Tianna Dupuis and Ember, the FireSmart Fox.

Colquitz Middle School (Victoria, BC) received $500 toward a field trip! Their Grade 8 students explored cultural burning and created PSAs highlighting its history and benefits.