Kicksledding was a popular new activity for Rendell Park Elementary School students during the school’s winter Carnaval on Friday to celebrate French culture. Geoff Lee Meridian Source
C’est la vie. That’s what kids at Rendell Park School are saying during this week’s break about their winter Carnaval held on Friday to celebrate French culture.
Carnaval is modelled after the Quebec winter Carnaval with some French words thrown into the mix of activities for students to learn.
“It’s to bring the culture into the classroom so they can hear a little bit of French-speaking and play some of the games they have in the Quebec Carnaval,” said K-3 French teacher Erin Stark.
The fun kicked off with an opening ceremony in the gym where students sang the popular song Frère Jacque with beloved Carnaval mascot Bonhomme on hand.
Stark was one of the many organizers of the event and was eager to translate any of the Carnaval terminologies.
“They have la tire which is maple syrup on a stick rolled in snow, chocolat chaud (hot chocolate) and que de castor (beaver tails) explained Stark with the Carnaval underway.
The popular new activity was kicksledding for one or two people.
“Very very fun,” is how a first-time-sledder named Alora in Grade 4 described her turn with it.
“I was pushing most of the time, but riding was really, really fun,” she said.
Some of the sleds and instruction were provided by volunteers like Jim Mcardle and Dave Welch, who were having a blast with the kids.
“I just started this kicksledding a couple of weeks ago and my daughter works here at the school. She was saying it would be a good thing if we could come out” said Welch.
“Everybody really likes it.”
A Grade 5 student named Bauer liked the sledding, too, but admitted his favourite activity of the day was curling since his grandparents were helping out.
The youngster could also recite some knowledge about the authentic Carnaval noting it’s hosted in Quebec and there’s lots of things you can do there.
His favourite French Carnaval activity was savouring la tire.
