Spring 2005

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Coyote Pack School Leadership

Active Student Leadership Group at
Pacific Way Elementary School

Shirley Sanderson

What is the latest activity of Coyote Pack, the student leadership group at Pacific Way? A toy drive!
On display in the entrance hallway of the school is a 14’x3’ table stacked high with new or gently-used toys. The Coyote Pack members created interest for the toy drive via PA announcements, wall posters, and just “talking it up” with other students. Gently-used toys began to appear in classroom donation boxes and Pack members picked them up daily. When the stack of toys outgrew teacher-sponsor Mr. Bloom’s classroom, they were put on display in the hallway, which of course, inspired a whole new serge of donated toys from students.

The toys are destined to the “Y” Women’s Shelter for families fleeing domestic violence and starting a new life. The Pack students want to help replace toys the children will be leaving behind. The toys will be delivered to the Shelter.

Coyote Pack coordinator, parent volunteer Michelle Nagy, is very proud of the member’s enthusiasm and is a bit overwhelmed herself. When she left for a brief vacation, the Pack had just launched the “Change for Tsunami Victims” drive. By the time she returned, the Pack had collected $478.48 in change. They rolled pennies, nickels, and dimes; they counted the cash; and contacted the Kamloops Canadian Red Cross representative, Ms. Calfa, to come to the school to accept the students’ donation.

The resourceful Pack group offered a prize to the Intermediate class and another to the Primary class that raised the most money. The prizes cost the Pack almost forty dollars. To pay for the prizes they hosted a Valentine’s dance. The profits were more than needed so the Pack members topped up the Change for Tsunami Victims fund with the extra.

When Ms. Calfa of the Red Cross arrived at school she met with the Pack members and answered questions about how the money will get to the Tsunami victims, and what projects the Canadian Red Cross is involved in to help the victims. School Principal Mr. Small assisted Ms. Calfa to her car, $478.48 in change is very heavy. Thanks to Ms. Calfa for taking the money in the form that it was donated—change! Visually, it made a fulfilling sight leaving the school and on it’s way to Tsunami victims.

Congratulations to Pacific Way’s Coyote Pack, keep up the good work! With leaders like this being nurtured in our schools, things are looking good for tomorrow!

Shirly Sanderson is the secretary at Pacific Way Elementary School in Kamloops. She is extremely proud of the student leadership at her school.