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Students and staff members at Simon Alaittuq School in Rankin Inlet give a mighty cheer as they prepare to head out on their annual Terry Fox Run this past week. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

RANKIN INLET
Students at Simon Alaittuq School (SAS) took to the streets in support of the Terry Fox Run this past week in Rankin Inlet.

Donation jars were placed in classrooms and a raffle held to help the students reach their goal of $500.

Student support assistant Belinda Ugjuk said the Grade 6 students came up with an idea to display a special banner during the run.

She said everyone was given a chance to decorate the banner and write Fox quotes on it before the event.

"We've taken part in this since SAS moved to this building in 2004," said Ugjuk.

"It's still a really big deal for the kids and they look forward to taking part in it every year. We try to hold a big Terry Fox initiative at the same time for language arts.

"This year we held poem and poster contests."

Ugjuk said students were given an extra incentive to reach their goal this year.

She said once the $500 is raised, students will get to vote on a special activity as an award for reaching the goal.

"The students will have a few choices on a ballot and they can vote for what they like.

"We're looking at having some free gym time as a class, or, maybe, having play-day for an afternoon.

"We might also have our principal, Bev Hill, switch places with a student for a day, so she'd go back to school and a student would be principal for a day. That would be fun if the students voted for it."

The school had a Terry Fox Team oversee the events, consisting of staff members Ugjuk, Nauya Fredlund, Amy Bolger and Kristen Sawyers.

Ugjuk said the students enjoyed learning about one of Canada's biggest heroes.

She said the school ordered the Terry Fox Book, and every class went through it to learn as much about him as they could.

"We also had a Terry Fox question of the day.

"Students were asked to name three sports he liked, where his memorial is located and things like that.

"Those who knew the answer wrote it down and we drew for a daily winner who received a Terry Fox (temporary) tattoo.

"The kids learn a lot about him during the week and they really enjoy taking part in it all."

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