This season, schools across our district embraced the spirit of giving through a variety of initiatives that made a real difference in our community. Clothing drives were underway, collecting jackets, sweaters, scarves, gloves and socks to help keep families comfortable during the winter months. 

Food drives at multiple schools supported the local food bank, ensuring thousands of community members have access to nutritious meals year-round. One school turned creativity into kindness by hosting an event where students purchased donated items for loved ones, with proceeds funding food programs. At another school, leadership students launched a sock drive for a local organization that supports those experiencing difficult times, ensuring this often-overlooked item reaches those who need it most.

Together, these efforts reflected a shared commitment to looking out for others and responding to real needs in practical ways. Across schools, learners saw how planning, cooperation and empathy can extend into the wider community. The season became a reminder that generosity does not have to be grand to matter, and that collective care can leave a lasting impact close to home.

The project began quietly, with students leafing through a book of Japanese family crests. What started as simple curiosity soon became personal, as each began imagining a crest of their own, one that could reflect their past. These crests became a doorway for them to explore history and heritage.

Some spent time observing traditional patterns, letting shapes and symbols guide their ideas. Others went home with questions, discovering stories from family members they had never heard before. A few found, for the first time, that their families even had crests. One student included a mountain in her design because her family name translates to “top of the mountain.” Another drew inspiration from a video game character whose strength and courage had helped him through difficult moments.

When students shared the stories behind their designs, the classroom came alive. Their explanations revealed memories and connections. Each held a small object shaped by their own hands, an emblem of tradition, creativity and personal meaning.

Music echoed through the fountain atrium at Aberdeen Centre in mid-December, as young musicians took to the space to share live performances with the community. 

The young performers presented a dynamic musical program that moved effortlessly between pop favourites, memorable movie themes, jazz selections and seasonal hits. Shoppers and visitors paused to listen, tapping their feet and smiling along, drawn in by the energy and joy from the stage. Each performance highlighted the confidence, skill and enthusiasm of our student musicians. 

The concert also carried a meaningful purpose beyond the music itself. Proceeds from the event supported the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, with a focus on Child and Youth Therapeutic Services. In this way, the impact of the performance extended beyond the stage and continued to benefit others in a lasting way.

Laughter and chatter filled the school gym during the entrepreneur fair as students proudly displayed the items they had spent weeks creating. Tiny crochet whales swung from keychains. Fluffy bag charms bobbed on hooks. Mini lava lamps glimmered on tables, while beaded bracelets, greeting cards and holiday-themed mini canvases added bright pops of colour.

Families and staff wandered from table to table, taking their time and stopping often to talk with the young creators behind each display. Every purchase carried extra meaning, with proceeds supporting the BC Cancer Society, the Regional Animal Protection Society, and BC Children’s Hospital.

By the end of the day, the gym was filled with a sense of pride and excitement. Students could see the results of weeks of planning and effort reflected in the response from families and the community. In total, the fair raised $1,818 for local charities, showing how creativity, teamwork and hard work can come together to make a meaningful difference.

Snowflakes dangled from the ceiling, twinkling lights lined the walls and the school gym shimmered like a winter wonderland for the annual holiday seniors’ brunch. Students spent weeks planning every detail, from food and beverages, to entertainment, decorations and gifts. Each guest received a hand-crocheted snowflake ornament, which added a personal touch to a morning already filled with gratitude.

What truly made the day special were the connections. Amid festive music performed by the school’s jazz and concert bands, laughter and heartfelt conversations filled the room. These moments reflected the deeper purpose of the event: learning the value of service and leadership. Through problem-solving, collaboration and creativity, learners discovered how meaningful it is to give back.

By the end of the morning, the impact of the brunch extended well beyond the tables and decorations. For seniors, it was time well spent in good company, marked by warmth and thoughtful care. For students, it was a reminder that leadership often shows up in planning, listening and following through for others. The experience left both generations with something lasting, a sense of connection, purpose and the quiet satisfaction that comes from making heartfelt contributions together.

The school day felt different the moment the workshop began. Students gathered around displays of local wildlife and stepped into a conversation about what happens when cities grow and animals must find ways to adapt. Owls, raccoons, coyotes and even snakes became the center of their learning, each one a reminder that the natural world continues to move around us, even when we are not paying attention.

The room stayed lively as learners handled skulls and skeletons, played games and asked questions that grew more thoughtful as the session unfolded. Those hands-on moments helped broaden their understanding of biodiversity and made the impact of human activity feel real. The messages were simple but memorable: give animals space, respect hidden habitats and pay attention to the life that surrounds us.

When the workshop wrapped up, the feeling in the room lingered. Students left talking about what they had learned and how these animals share the same communities they do. The experience sparked a curiosity that stretched beyond the classroom and encouraged them to think about their own part in protecting the world around them.

Families gathered for a solstice event that brought creativity, learning and nature together. The afternoon began with a reading of Winter: A Solstice Story by Kelsey E. Gross, inviting everyone to embrace the season and the magic of nature.

The gym glowed as students and their families worked in teams to create lanterns. Drawing simple shapes on paper bags, cutting out the designs, and adding colourful cellophane, each lantern shimmered with artistic expression. Hallways and outdoor spaces were alive with their artwork reflecting observations of nature. Many pieces were transformed into personalized items such as jigsaw puzzles, mugs, magnets, and water bottles, which the community could order to support school programs.

The afternoon concluded with a video showcasing fall learning. This was followed by games, warm treats and a photo booth. Together, these moments gave attendees a chance to connect, enjoy the winter season and share memorable experiences.

It started with small hands, ink and paper. In elementary classrooms, students used printmaking to create feather-shaped designs inspired by their experiences of Richmond. Some drew on local wildlife. Others captured familiar places or everyday objects. Each print reflected how its creator saw the world around them.

Those feathers then moved on to a new group of hands. Secondary students took the prints and began the careful work of turning them into something larger. They sorted colours and patterns, stitched fabric together and slowly watched individual pieces connect. Over time, the feathers formed a pair of wings inspired by Richmond’s Pacific Great Blue Heron.

As the project unfolded, students noticed repeating patterns and shared discoveries about the natural world. Each feather kept its own character, even as it became part of a larger whole. When the work was displayed at the Richmond Art Gallery from December through January, From Fray to Feather stood as a reminder of what can happen when ideas move between learners, and the remarkable outcomes that can emerge when many hands and ideas come together.