Tom Henihan
Express Staff
Ecole Providence students laced up their skates on November 26, marking the beginning of the school’s second year offering its skating program.
Last year, things got off to a late start in January but this year everything was in place to get going earlier.
The program, which is a highlight of the students’ week teaches them the fundamentals of skating, to be confident on the ice and prepares them for other activities such as hockey and figure skating as they develop.
“I am really pleased that we can provide this opportunity to the kids. Through the Joint Use Agreement with the Town of McLennan, the school gets free ice time at the H.W. Fish Arena, which is a decisive factor,” says Providence School principal, Krista Veitch.” Of course, the kids really enjoy the program and they are all, even the smallest of them, willing to take instruction and keen to learn.”
Divided into two groups, the kids are bused to the arena on Fridays to participate in the program: the ECS and Grades 1 and 2 are on the ice for 45 minutes with Grades 3, 4, 5 and 6 kids then taking to the ice for an hour.
The program is available to all Providence students free of charge and the school provides skates and helmets to children who need gear.
“We always accept donations of skates and helmets to ensure that we have enough as the kids grow and to guarantee the success of the program in the coming years,” says Veitch. “We also appreciate people coming in to tie up skates and to help with teaching the kids to skate.”