| Port
Renfrew Elementary School Literacy - our Annual Project On
September 13, 2005, retired District Principal George Gurney drove Lionesses Jean
W. and Jean C., retired District Primary Supervisor Bev Lenihan and Author Julie
Lawson to Port Renfrew to deliver 26 children's books written by Julie. They presented
26 of the specially book-plated treasures to Principal Ruman McArthur, the school
staff and excited students. In return, the Author was presented with drawings
from the students. Following the formal presentation, Julie talked with the children
and read to them. She signed all the books and gave all the children signed bookmarks.
Her 27th book was later presented to the school. Wild
winter weather with power outages and road closures kept the Lionesses from making
this year's special visit to the School until Feb. 28th, 2007. That day, with
snow again falling, 5 Lionesses journeyed to Port Renfrew Elementary School where
we were warmly welcomed by the 18 students and their teachers. Sooke District
Lionesses Jean C. and Jean W. had collected all the books on the teacher's wish
list plus 3 picture books illustrated by Ron Lightburn. After the students entertained
us with a game of skill and coordination, Lioness Jean C. (a retired School Teacher
from the Sooke District) read one of the picture books, "Eagle Dreams"
to the children. Her reading was enjoyed by children and teachers. We were presented
with hand made thankyou cards and a poster, as well as a delicious tea with scones
and cookies, to fuel our trip back through the blowing snow. In
December of 2007, Sooke District Lioness again delivered books and Santa Sacks
full of toys to the children at Port Renfrew School. We thank a special friend,
Margaret who buys a toy each month for our Santa Sacks project.
In
December of 2008, with wild snow and wind and
ice and rain, we were unable to personally deliver
our Santa Sacks and books to Port Renfrew. However,
school staff picked up the sacks and books on
their way to class so the students weren't disappointed.
2009
was much better for our visit to Port Renfrew
Elementary School. The weather was nice. After
we presented the books for the library and the
Santa Sacks to each child, we were treated to
a delicious community lunch at the school (put
on by the Pacheendaht Band) followed by a terrific
student Christmas Concert. At our January meeting,
we enjoyed reading the lovely thankyou cards
made by the students.
2010
- Our Lioness were invited to join the children
for a potluck lunch and their end of year ceremonies
in June. It was wonderful to see how many children
remembered our Christmas visit and greeted us.
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