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Grade eight students from Balgonie Elementary helped the community out on Mar. 5, 2018 by shoveling snow after a massive snow storm. (Dallas Folk/Balgonie Elementry)

Balgonie students trade textbooks in for shovels

Mar 7, 2018 | 12:10 PM

A group of 26 grade eight students in Balgonie learned a lesson about kindness on Monday.Balgonie Elementary teacher Dion Petford along with his colleague Dallas Folk, knew only a handful of kids would show up for class after Sunday night’s snow storm.

Petford said that’s when the idea came to light that instead of regular class they could do some good in the community.

“We rallied together 28 shovels (from) neighbours and some kids quickly ran home from the school and then we looked throughout the community looking for places that might need assistance,” he said.

Petford said the kids were more than excited to give back to the community. He said it was a great way to show the kids about random acts of kindness, community, and citizenship.

“No matter how old you are you can always help out and contribute to your community.”

The kids shoveled all the walkways for the seniors’ home along with their parking lot. They also shoveled the steps to the catholic church and walkways and driveways for about 12 other random houses.

As for pushing out stuck cars, Petford said they didn’t have to as he commends the local city crews for clearing the roads pretty quick.

Once the students were back from shoveling he said the classroom was flooded with thank you calls.

“There’s been quite a bit of talk already from the community on social media thanking the students,” he said. “We’ve had people phone in — some people from the seniors’ centres and our mayor actually came in Monday afternoon to talk to the kids about how it was great to see them out there.”

In the end, Petford hopes his students will take away that no matter how small or big the deed is — kindness goes a long way.

Same great idea; students from several schools help clear snow

As the snow continued to fall on Monday, other schools posted on social media to show the great work students were doing clearing snow in their neighbourhoods.

—With files from Jessie Anton

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