Public School students from across the province are being recognized for their achievements in the 2024 Public School of Saskatchewan Student Citizenship Awards. Among the six schools selected to receive the award are the sixth and seventh grade students in Janice Colven’s Health Class at William Grayson School in Moose Jaw. 

The health class curriculum centres around exploring personal values and beliefs which led them on a journey to bring kindness into the community. It was for that very kindness they showed over the school year that they were nominated for— and subsequently won— their award. 

“It was largely student-led, they brainstormed different ideas, and then I just facilitated their vision,” said Janice Colven, the class's teacher and Vice Principal of William Grayson School. 

“We did things like raking leaves for neighbors in our school community ... we went to Pioneer Lodge and spent time with the residents there. The kids did so well with that.” 

As part of their initiative students also partnered with SaskAbilites over the Christmas season to bake cookies and write cards for the residents. They returned to Pioneer Lodge for Valentines Day bearing treats to visit with the residents.  

“One of the ladies that received a card from one of our students has re-read that card every day since Christmas, it really made an impact on her life,” said Colven.  

“That was really important for the kids to get to experience.” 

The residents of Pioneer Lodge weren’t the only people to benefit from the class’s kindness however, students also chose to partner with the Moose Jaw Humane Society to raise funds and gather much needed supplies for the animals at the shelter. 

The decision to nominate the class for the award was seeded by a staff member at the school— who upon noticing the tremendous impact their efforts were having, as well as how it lined up for the criteria for the award— presented the idea to Colven. 

“We made a video, and I interviewed the kids, they shared what impact their projects had on their lives and their hearts and what they learned,” said Colven. 

“We submitted that and found that we won.” 

Colven said that the children were very excited and rather proud to receive the award, stating that it was a big honour to have recognition for their projects on such a grand scale. 

Several students from the class accompanied her to Saskatoon to collect the award, which was presented by Minister of Education, Jeremy Cockrill, and the School Board Association.  

During the ceremony, the class was also given $1,000, which is being used to continue their community projects. 

Plans are in place for the students to continue their community kindness projects in the upcoming school year. 

“Thank you to the parents and staff members at William Grayson for supporting our project, and to the kids for their good work and their big hearts,” said Colven.  

“They’re just the best group of kids, it was a pleasure to work with them this year.”