ARCOLA - When Heather Saarela, the Grade 8 teacher at Arcola School, talks about her students, she beams with pride.
Saarela has been a teacher for 11 years and when she was new, she went with another teacher and her class to the Winnipeg Science Centre. She felt the experience was excellent for the students.
This is the second year that Saarela has the same class.
“These are the best kids,” said Saarela.
They wanted to plan a field trip, and the idea to go to the Regina Science Centre came up.
Saarela approached Arcola School principal Ron Wardrobe about taking the kids, but it was not in the school budget.
They wanted to do an overnight adventure, but staying at the Science Centre was going to cost $2,400 for the night for the 25 students and the chaperones.
The students were told about the. A suggestion was made to go only for a day trip and the students were not in favour of this; they wanted the full deal and decided to fundraise for it.
Altogether the class needs $4,000. This will cover the cost of meals, the overnight stay and give the parents gas money for driving. This was also the idea of the kids to give the parents some money for gas and buy their meals.
It is a two-day event, and they felt the parents needed something for taking time out of their schedules to chaperone.
The students are not only planning to see the Regina Science Centre, but they will also go to the RCMP Heritage Centre, Cornwall Centre and the Imax Theatre.
The trip is planned for June 5, and it will give the students a chance to explore science and technology hands-on.
For eight months, the kids have been holding fundraisers starting with two bake sales.
“All the ideas have come from the students, I am only guiding them,” said Saarela.
Then they did a singing telegram for Grades 6-12. According to Saarela, it went over so well, the younger classes want to have a part in this next year.
Last December when the Grade 5 class held its drama performance at Arcola's Mac Murray Theatre, the Grade 8 class ushered guests to their seats, and sold roses and drinks in another fundraising attempt.
They also held a guess the candy in the jar fundraiser; according to Saarela this one went well.
The class has now raised $3,300 and is close to their goal. Letters were sent out to local businesses asking for any donation to help them reach the goal.
On April 15, at the Arcola Optimist Hall they will hold a bingo, which will be one of their last fundraisers. It will start at 6 p.m. and it is their hope to make enough money that night to surpass their goal.
“I am so proud of my kids,” said Saarela. “They have worked hard as a team to get this done.”
“They did all the work, and they brought up all the ideas,” she said. “My heart just swells with pride when I think of how great these kids have done with getting this trip together.”
