Students work goes to the animals
While knitting is often seen as a pastime for mothers and grandmothers, seeing students knitting at recess was not uncommon at Rogers. More than 20 students joined the knitting club at the Newmarket school, which impressed Linda Gilkes.
I didnt think Id get the response, the schools child and youth worker said. Who knew kids would want to knit.
For the last few months of school, students knitted multi-coloured blankets for animals at the Ontario SPCA. The group of students knitted 35 blankets, 18 x 18 in size, perfect for a kitten or a puppy.
Knitting is relaxing, especially for really hyper students, said Mrs. Gilkes, who used to knit her own doll clothes. It calms them down.
For the first few weeks, students from Grades 5 to 8 showed up for knitting instructions during recess. Once they mastered the skill, students picked from a barrel of yarn and were off to knit during their free time at home. I was confused at the beginning, Grade 5 student Tyler Murray said. But I got the hang of it. In, around, down and out. Its easy. An equal mix of girls and boys joined the knitting club. I thought knitting was old-ladyish, Tyler said. My dad called me grandma, but its fun and were giving them to the animals.
Once the blankets were complete, the students delivered them to the Ontario SPCA, where they witnessed the benefits of their work, Mrs. Gilkes said.
I have a cat and its always happy, said Charmonique Reinemo, another Grade 5 student. The cats (at the Ontario SPCA) were just walking around. They didnt know what was going on. They didnt act cute.
Not only did the students knit blankets for the animals, earlier in the school year, they made and sold friendship bracelets, raising more than $250 for the shelter.
They were so proud that the blankets were going to animals. The students love animals, Mrs. Gilkes said. These students demonstrated that Rogers public school still has a big heart.
Amanda Persico
29 June 2009
