Ontario’s Education Week, according to the government, is an annual event celebrated by school boards and schools across the province.
It is a time for students, teachers, and parents to celebrate teaching excellence and student achievement.

Education Week at Donald Young School here in Emo included a great deal of celebrating.
Last Monday afternoon, 100 students packed into the gym to jump rope and raise money for the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Teams of roughly eight students from a variety of grades travelled from station to station, learning new techniques and skills using a skipping rope.
Not only did they have fun while getting a great physical workout, but they also raised a lot of money for heart research and the various support programs offered by Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Then Tuesday saw the students from kindergarten to Grade 8 take part in a board-wide safety program offered by the OPP.
With the lakes opening up and students taking to the streets with their bicycles, students hopefully will benefit from this valuable program.
On Wednesday afternoon, students and staff invited the community to the school’s spring tea and festival highlights concert. Those on hand were treated to a variety of performances including poems, songs, and piano solos.
Tea, coffee, and dainties were served to an appreciative group of relatives, friends, and interested individuals from the community.
Thursday turned out to be the busiest day at DYS.
Multi-cultural day began with the students being assigned research projects on various countries from around the world. They spent the first learning block working in groups to locate and record information about their country.
Then at noon, each group gathered in the gym to display chart paper full of information, drawings of flags, and pictures of their country. As well, residents were invited to display information and cultural artifacts from their family’s country of origin.
“We tried to choose countries that would involve many people from the community,” vice-principal Leslie Barr-Kellar stressed.
Many cultures from around the world were represented, including Japan, the Philippines, Finland, Norway, Russia, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Ireland, France, Costa Rica, Ojibwa-Métis Nation, and Canada.
Willie Wilson from Manitou Rapids, along with drummers Elvis Debungey, Ian McGinnis, Joe and Art Hunter, and Murray Bombay, opened the ceremony with two songs, one of which was a “thank you” song.
“It is to show that we are a thankful people,” explained Wilson, who went on to challenge the students to think of something for which they are thankful.
Wilson spoke to students about the history of his people in the district. He explained how the Manitou people at one time lived in seven different communities across the district.
Later, they amalgamated into one group and moved to their present location at Manitou Rapids.
He added although they all came from different locations in the district, they all are proud of their heritage. Wilson said that during his adult years, he re-learned his native language and culture.
He said he’s proud to be a member of the Manitou people and challenged the students to be proud of who they are and where their families came from.
Wilson concluded his presentation by inviting everyone to visit them at Manitou Rapids, to which the students roundly applauded.
The middle learning block concluded with a sensational presentation by native dancer Mahengun Goodsky. In full regalia, he demonstrated the men’s traditional style of dance.
Goodsky’s athletic performance was greatly appreciated by everyone in attendance.
The staff, students, and guests then were treated to a fantastic meal of wild rice soup and bannock, before taking a much-needed break from the festivities.
Many students returned for more of the delicious soup and an extra piece of bannock.
Following the afternoon break, the classes were invited back down to the gym to look at the various displays, sample some of the ethnic food, and ask questions of the guests.
Education Week at DYS ended on Friday with a pancake breakfast, which also was attended by a large number of parents, grandparents, and friends.
The annual speech contest was held later, with the winner going on to the district contest on May 14.
The mission of the Rainy River District School Board is to empower all students to dream of the possibilities, to believe in themselves, and to achieve.
During this year’s Education Week, the students and staff at DYS demonstrated their achievements by celebrating their learning and sharing that new knowledge with the community.