Chestermere Lake Middle School (CLMS) is a vibrant school that is the home of many amazing students with very big hearts. This year, CLMS began a club called Student Voice whereby students from every grade level and background come together to create positive changes in the school and greater community.
Catherine Masson, a teacher at CLMS, contacted us regarding an amazing initiative that the Student Voice club has kicked off. “Many of the students here at CLMS were devastated and empathized for the citizens of Fort Mac who suffered such incredible loss. In response to this they have organized a donations program in which all CLMS students, staff, and family members are being asked to donate gift cards, cash, and toiletries. We will be collecting throughout the month of May and longer if needed”.
Haley Kennedy, Prime Minister of Chestermere Lake Middle School, discussed this project and the focus of the Student Voice club with us. “Student voice is a group of people who care about what is happening in our school and talk about the needs and changes we would like to make in our school, creating a better place. We try to meet every week to solve problems the student body may have, we like to address problems right away. We do our best to overcome any challenges we may come across, we all work as a group and no one is ever left out of our conversations”.
Kennedy explains that the club consists of about 16 members with representatives from each grade (grades 6 through 9).
Beside this current project with collecting donations for those impacted by the wild fire in Fort McMurray, Kennedy explains that, “Student Voice has worked on little things in the school, such as hallway crowdedness and figuring out easier way to get pizza in line! We tried to work on bigger projects like getting a new team name for our school, but we decided it was too easy for us. So, we tried to start another idea about doing a big beach cleaning because, to us, it is disgusting and we are the ones using that area. Therefore, we would like to take part in making it better! This was until the fire came upon Alberta. Now student voice has been focusing on doing something great for or neighbours in Fort McMurray”.
The members of Student Voice are trying to collect items such as toiletries (Shampoo, Conditioner, Deodorant, Lotion) all the basic everyday needs for a person. “We will also be collecting school supplies like ( Pens, Pencils, Erasers, Journal, Paper) for the kids to get through the rest of their school year and extra activities to do. We think it would be a terrific idea to donate gift cards because they help to pay for new clothes for them and their family. Cards to Safeway, Sobeys, and Co-op for groceries are appreciated because victims can purchase their own food and continue to care for their families. We are even collecting gift cards so that they can just go out for a nice dinner and forget all that happened to their city. We ask that the people will not bring any kind of food (exception to baby food) and or clothing because we understand that being able to purchase your own items is a big part to healing”, explained Kennedy.
Ms. Masson adds, “These incredible students are also collecting “backpacks” for students who will be joining us in the Rocky View division. These backpacks will have all of the items a students could need in order to complete the school year”.
It is the goal of Student Voice to fill 20-25 backpacks. If you would like to drop off any of the mentioned items, please bring them to the office at Chestermere Lake Middle School.
