Summer book club a 'safe space' for students to connect after a year of isolation
Dozens of students dedicated one hour a week over their summer break to a book club.
The goal of the club's two founding educators was to inspire students to get involved with summer reading and introduce kids to literature they could really connect to.
“We were worried about literacy levels of students and we’re most concerned about social isolation,” Erin Winch, the assistant principal at H.E. Beriault Catholic Junior High School, said.
“We’ve talked a lot about individual versus collective responsibility in our world, so we’ve chosen literature on the theme of diversity, so students could see themselves in the books they were reading.”
After the first meeting, Grade 10 student Dona Tom George remembers thinking, “I made a good choice. I’m definitely finally getting the interaction that I missed the entire year."
'IT HELPED ME GET THROUGH THIS YEAR'
Winch told CTV News Edmonton the discussions held every Wednesday were really “enriching,” as so many of the students would share a piece of themselves with their peers.
“To be able to converse with more people with the same interests as me, that’s what I like about book club,” Raphael Alverez, a Grade 8 student, said. “It’s really helped me to get through this year.”
“It’s an amazing experience just having a safe space to talk about your feelings, your emotions and books,” Ayla Martin, a Grade 10 student, added.
“When you put down a good book it’s like you lost a good friend.”
'GIVE IT A CHANCE'
Clotilde Grijo, a teacher at Father Michael Troy Catholic Junior High School, said the choice to bring the schools together was to encourage a sense of community and connection.
“I think they want to learn, they want to have a voice,” Grijo expressed. “Kids are eager to share their opinions and their thoughts and to hear others and I think even with this pandemic it gave them an even bigger opportunity to connect with others.”
“Give it a chance,” Gift Azubuike, a Grade 9 student, explained. “Reading books is one thing, not everyone loves reading. But when you read a book you can talk about it and everyone has different standpoints."
The Edmonton Catholic Schools Foundation purchased the books for the students summer reading. Winch said leftover books from the club will go into the libraries at the two schools for other students to enjoy.
“If I can build you into a reader it’s something that can take you into your future,” Winch smiled.
With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Chelan Skulski
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels will take the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
NEW Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Toronto Maple Leafs fire head coach Sheldon Keefe
The Toronto Maple Leafs have announced that Sheldon Keefe has been relieved as his duties as head coach.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
RateMDs violates privacy of health professionals, class-action lawsuit claims
A lawsuit against RateMDs has been given the go-ahead by a B.C. Supreme Court judge who found the claim that the website violates the privacy rights of medical professionals is not 'bound to fail.'
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
With contactless screening tech, this Toronto startup hopes to catch breast cancer early — and save lives
Amid evidence of rising breast cancer rates among young women in Canada, one Toronto startup is offering a contactless and radiation-free device that can help doctors identify suspicious changes in breast tissue. The company, Linda Lifetech, says this can lead to earlier detection of breast cancer.