Shannen's Dream

Over the last few months our class has been learning about the Rights of a Child. We read this fantastic book that is based on The United Nation Convention on the Rights of a Child.

You can read about them here.

Recently, the students learned about Shannen's Dream.

"Shannen Koostachin, a youth education advocate from of the Attawapiskat First Nation in Ontario, had a dream: safe and comfy schools and culturally based education for First Nations children and youth.

Many First Nations schools receive less funding per student than provincial and territorial schools, and zero dollars for things like libraries, computers, languages or extracurricular activities. Many also do not provide a safe and appropriate learning environment, and may pose serious health concerns, including mold contamination, high carbon dioxide levels, rodent infestations, sewage, and inadequate or lack of heating.

Shannen worked tirelessly to try to convince the federal government to give First Nations children a proper education. Unfortunately, she passed away in a car accident at the age of 15 before her dream could come true. But it did. On June 22, 2012—the day Shannen would have graduated—construction started for a new school in Attawapiskat. The new school opened in August 2014 (CBC)." 

The children from Room 9 were shocked to learn that many students in Canada still do not have access to safe and comfy school. They decided to write letters to the Prime Minister to try to change that. 

The letters went something like this...

Dear Prime Minister Trudeau,

We are grade 1/2 students at Stevenson-Britannia School. We think you are doing an great job of running the country. We are writing to ask for safe and comfy schools for all children in Canada. Every student should have enough space to study and learn in a classroom. Only adults and children should be inside a school working and learning. All animals, no matter how small, should be outside. 

The windows and doors in all classrooms should open and close easily. Children should only need to wear their indoor clothing when they are learning in their classrooms and all children should have a clean school to learn in.

Thank you for taking the time to read our letters,

Sincerely,

Room 9 Students

Today we finished the letters and walked to the post box to mail them. The students were so proud to be making a difference and showing that they care about the wellbeing of all Canadians.