Bonhomme Carnaval surprises Clemens Mills PS

June 3rd, 2015

Each year, Clemens Mill Public School holds their annual French Carnaval, an afternoon dedicated to fun winter activities and the ability to experience French culture without leaving the school property.

As students filed out of their classrooms, all bundled up and filled with laughter, they could hear traditional Carnaval music playing in the background. Everyone enjoyed the many traditional Carnaval games, as the older students showed their artistic side by sculpting some snow masterpieces. Even Bonhomme took time out of his busy schedule to stop by and say “Joyeux Carnaval!”

However, the French culture experience wouldn’t be complete without food and the French language.

For the past several years, Madam Atack and her French Immersion classes transform the gymnasium into Café Cupidon, an annual fundraiser benefiting the Cambridge Self Help Food Bank. This year, her Grade 3/4 and 8 French Immersion students helped host the cafe – the catch – they could only communicate in French! Equipped with menus, beautiful table centerpieces, and a generous display of donated raffle items, drinks and “des desserts délicieux” were served by the French students and enjoyed by all Clemens Mill PS classes and many “clients” from Fiddlesticks Community Centre, Cambridge Self Help Food Bank, and the WRDSB.

There was no doubt a great time was had by all.

Together, the school raised over $2,000 for their local food bank through the “café”, raffle prizes and popcorn sales!

Thank you Chym FM for recognizing Clemens Mill PS hard work!

CHYM 96.7 recognizes those who go “Above and Beyond” in Waterloo Region. Every week we will choose someone who has gone “Above and Beyond” in our community . Tell us who you think is deserving of next week’s award by filling out the nomination form.

This week we recognize a Cambridge elementary school teacher and her grade 3/4 French Immersion class at Clemens Mill Public School.

For the past several years, Michele Atack’s class has hosted a fundraiser dessert cafe for the Cambridge Self-Help Food Bank called Cafe Clemens Mill.

The students write the menus and invitations, take orders and make posters for the cafe as well as solicit door prizes and do the set-up and clean-up.

They were nominated by Pat Singleton of the Cambridge Self-Help Food Bank. “The students all serve, the volunteers and moms and teachers look after making these amazing desserts. It’s very cool. The kids are all dressed up when you go in and they serve you.”

This year’s event raised a thousand dollars!

Along with the French education component, the school also practiced the trait of social responsibility with their generous donation to the food bank! Merci beaucoup, students, for your involvement, and parents, for your support of this endeavour!