Teachers and staff at Dr. Morris Gibson School in Okotoks found a creative way to share a heart felt message with students.

On Wednesday they stood outside, while staying two meters apart, holding signs that read "DMG we miss you" as a unique way to keep their bond strong with students.

Bobbi Hunter, Principal at DMG, says the activity was a fun way to demonstrate that they are thinking of their students.

“We didn’t want them to think that we’d forgotten just because we couldn’t be with them in the same place, so, we made ourselves available in whatever way we could… we wanted to just be present in any way we can, and it filled their bucket and that’s really what we’re all about here,” Hunter explains.

“Certainly the learning is important but we’re really relationship based and those connections, especially at this time, are so important.”

The school is utilizing Google Hangouts where students meet with teachers once a day for about half an hour as well as using FaceTime and speaking over the phone.

Scott Flintoft, Vice Principal at DMG, agrees with Hunter and says keeping connections strong is a priority for the school.

“Especially when we go through a big crisis like this, the most important part is that connection piece and I think that’s the most important part of a school is that connection that you have with your teachers and you have with your administrators and the other people in the building.

We just really like to connect with our kids because we like to lead with the heart and we’re a little school but we care a lot and that’s what we really want to focus on especially in these challenging times.”

Staff plan to head out with their signs along the sidewalk in front of the school again next Wednesday, Apr. 1, at 10 a.m.

 

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