In light of COVID-19, from classrooms to computer screens, students and teachers are finding creative and unique ways to celebrate the holiday season this year.
One such example was recently shared by siblings Olivia and Owen Courchesne (Veterans Park School grade 4 and East Street School grade 1) when they each created the most charming holiday classroom trees, cloaked with apple ornaments adorning the name of their classmates.
According to their mother, Sara Courchesne, the idea of the trees originated with her daughter who has a very big heart.
“Olivia is super creative. Most of this was her idea,” shared Courchesne. “I’m so proud of both of them. They worked super hard on making the trees special for their classmates and teachers.”
“I thought it would be nice to give my class a special surprise to bring us all together because we’re all in school, but at home,” said Olivia referring to the remote learning model.
“The apple ornaments and rulers on the trees made the trees look kind of ‘schooly’ and fun like a classroom should be,” explained Olivia.
Olivia’s teacher Carly Massy was extremely appreciative and overwhelmed when learning of Olivia’s classroom surprise..
“When Olivia showed us the amazing class tree we were all so excited,” said Masse. “Being an all remote classroom since the beginning of the year I am constantly trying to think of ways to make our virtual classroom a happy, caring, inviting place where all my students enjoy coming to - Olivia did that for us.”
“It was fun making the tree. Everyone was surprised to see it. Their eyes lit up- even my teacher was excited,” explained Owen of his tree reveal.
If you look close you will notice Owen’s tree also includes two very special angel ornaments. His response to explain the ornaments was heartwarming.
“When Kyara (classmate) saw the tree she told us her brother and sister both died and she misses them very much so I made angel ornaments with their names (Natalya and Jadyn) to hang on the tree.”
Owen added, “Kyara was happy when she saw the angels. She said she loves her brother and sister in heaven.”
“This has been the hardest year of teaching I have had since my first year,” said Owen’s teacher, Gregory Bertsch. “I struggle every day to try and be engaging and allow the kids to interact and have some fun. Joy is something that is most needed this year.”
“When Owen showed the class the beautiful tree I literally started crying. There were no words for how much that act of kindness meant to me,” continued an emotional Bertsch. “Teachers are all struggling because it feels like we are not reaching our kids to the extent we want to. The connection that was made in that moment for my classroom was overwhelming.”
With a sense of hope for the future in his voice, Bertsch added, “Owen’s tree really made the point that we are all in this together. It was a live example of our classroom being a community. We look after each other.”
