What do you get when you put 500 students with noisemakers in a gymnasium for a celebration? Outside of amazing energy, a decibel level reaching rock-concert highs.
Students at École St. Thomas are celebrating French culture this week. Events started with the arrival of Bonhomme de Carnaval on Feb. 10. Additionally, the school’s annual Carnaval de Québec celebration brings winter traditions to life through music, food, and outdoor activities.
“We are celebrating our Carnaval de Québec here in Lloydminster,” said Rachel Jazowski, principal of École St. Thomas. “It’s our annual French winter cultural celebration that we hold at the school every year.”
The event features traditional French-Canadian activities, however, one of the most popular is la tire d’érable, a maple syrup treat made on snow. Students also enjoy French dancing, wooden spoon music, and outdoor games. Furthermore, Bonhomme de Carnaval, the festival’s famous snowman mascot, will visit classrooms throughout the week.
“This helps keep French culture alive in our community,” said Jazowski. “Lloydminster has a smaller French-Canadian population, so this event raises awareness of our traditions and heritage.”
The school’s celebration is part of a larger effort to promote French language learning. Nigel McCarthy, director of education for the Lloydminster Catholic School Division, said Carnaval brings people together.
“As we celebrate Carnaval, we are celebrating winter in a way that brings the community together,” said McCarthy. “We are building ice castles, tasting la tire sur la neige, and sharing the magic of École St. Thomas with our entire city in song, dance, food, and laughter.”
Meanwhile, McCarthy said French immersion opens doors for students.
“For me, French immersion has opened the doors to an exciting career, confident travel, and an understanding of the world,” he said. “When we learn French through celebration, we open those doors to our students.”
Meanwhile, Jazowski hopes students leave the event with a love for French culture.
“I hope they see that being part of a French community is fun, energetic, and engaging,” she said.
The school will have a variety of activities throughout the week, including skating, sledding, and traditional music.
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