Student Showcase
Fine Arts Week at Michael Strembitsky School
In May 2016 we welcomed artist Linus Woods, who collaborated with students and staff to create a beautiful composition which is permanently displayed in our school.
Shark Legacy Project
Our story only began in September 2012 when we opened our doors to our community for the first time. As a new school, we have spent a lot of time looking at our identity – as students, as a school, and as community members. We wanted to create a legacy piece that involved all students, as well as the MSS faculty, parents and guardians, to commemorate our first year.
We worked with Lewis Lavoie, Phil Alain, and Paul Lavoie to develop a customized, interactive art activity designed to unite our school members and community through a large Mural Mosaic. One of the high points was watching the artists build the mural over the week. The administration knew what the final design would be but we wanted the mural to have a big surprise! Each student was asked to create a tile of their own with a sea-theme. As the week progressed, the artists began to attach the tiles and by the end of the week, the students saw what was emerging - a shark! As our new school mascot is a shark, our students have a particular fondness for this sea creature. They also saw how their individual pieces were used to create the overall image - a collective representation of who we are. Students enjoy guessing who made each tile and marvel with particular interest at their teachers' tiles!
The Mural Mosaics project has enhanced our school project related to helping students discover their own identity and how they fit in the world around them. It also allowed students to develop the following 21st century skills: Creativity and Innovation, Collaboration and Leadership, and well as Communication. Our students gained a greater appreciation of how their individual efforts could be combined for the greater good of the entire school. In addition, one of the key benefits in the classroom was an increased sense of school pride and personal belonging. Our students helped us further establish the school identity within the context of developing skills outlined in the Visual Arts curricula for Kindergarten-Grade 9.
Special thanks to the Alberta Foundation for the Arts for the generous grant of $4,500. Our heartfelt appreciation to the Strembitsky Parent Foundation for donating $5,300 towards this special legacy project. Your support is appreciated by all of us!