Sherwood Park, AB. — Representatives of the media, families and community members are invited to join staff and students at École Campbelltown to take part in its Winter Carnival on March 5.

The Winter Carnival is an annual festival the school organizes to celebrate French-Canadian heritage. Through a host of activities, students experience, first-hand, various francophone traditions. Some of this year’s highlights include a special visit from Bonhomme, outdoor games and activities, and the always popular, and delicious, tire d’érable—hot maple syrup drizzled and hardened over snow.

“We have a ton of games, activities and lessons planned, which are inspired by the Caranval de Quebec,” says Greg Probert, the Principal of École Campbelltown. “It’s a great day for students that they look forward to every year. They’re outside, they’re embracing the French language, they’re celebrating French history and heritage, and they’re having a lot of fun doing it.”

The school’s Winter Carnival overlaps with the Rendez-vous de la Francophonie, an annual festival celebrated nationwide to honour the French language and francophone culture—taking place from March 1-31. As well, the Government of Alberta has declared March the “Mois de la Francophonie Albertaine,” meaning Alberta Francophonie Month. École Campbelltown also has several other events planned that coincide with Mois de la francophonie Albertaine and Rendez-vous de la Francophonie including: Tintamarre, a traditional Acadian practice; La Galala d’Edmonton 2020, a music festival featuring French musicians; and a school-wide assembly to mark International Francophonie Day, celebrated around the world on March 20 annually.

“I think it’s important because it emphasizes the role of the French in Canada and how it all works together in history,” says a Grade 6 student at École Campbelltown. “It also helps make learning fun. My favourite is the Winter Carnival. There’s tube racing on snow, snow golf, French language bingo, maple syrup on snow and Bonhomme, a French snowman who walks around as the mascot, high-fiving and cheering us all on.”

Representatives of the media are invited to join staff and students at École Campbelltown at the following events to celebrate Alberta Francophonie Month and Rendez-vous de la Francophonie.

Carnival: A fun-filled day where students enjoy a host of winter activities aimed at celebrating French-Canadian culture and history.
Date: March 5, 2020
Time: 9:45 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: École Campbelltown; 271 Conifer St.; Sherwood Park

Tintamarre and Flag Raising: Students will take part in Strathcona County’s official Franco-Albertan Flag Raising and Tintamarre, an Acadian tradition of marching through the community making noise with improvised instruments to celebrate Acadian culture.
Date: March 9, 2020
Time: 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: Volunteer Plaza, Strathcona County Community Centre, Sherwood Park 

Le Galala: A regional talent show featuring French songs and performances for students ages eight and up.
Date: March 17, 2020
Time: 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: École Campbelltown; gymnasium, 271 Conifer St., Sherwood Park

NOTE: Principals have the responsibility to limit media coverage only to students approved for interviews. Reporters attending the event are requested to receive permission from a school EIPS representative before interviewing or photographing students. Thank you for your co-operation, and for joining us.

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For more information contact:
Laura McNabb, Director, Communication Services, EIPS 780-417-8204 cell 780-405-4902