Banded Peak School in Bragg Creek celebrated the 7th annual 'Fine Arts Day' last week.


The school showcased 30 different activities to encourage creativity and expand the student's horizons. Administrator, Simon Pols, shares while many youths focus on academics and a wide variety of sports, many are not taught the value of self-expression. "We have families that are involved in all those things (sports/academics) but we are trying to give them exposure to something a lot different. I think by bringing the fine arts in, it gives each one of our children an opportunity to excel in a different way."

Pols, feels the benefit of being introduced to a wide array of activity, can have a lasting effect. "We've got opera singers, kids doing taekwondo, acrobatics and just a whole variety of different opportunities for them and I think that exposure long term is really valuable in the way of making some important decisions for what they want to do and what they're interested in."

Pols, is not aware of any other school in the Rocky View division offering such a program and shares teachers from all over RVS enjoy being a part of the day. While the program is supported by the community at large, nothing beats seeing the students engaged and happy to be at school. "It is hard to capture what they say but it is the look on their faces, they are very excited about the day. They are exhausted by the end of the school day, especially our kindergarten kids. I think for them the opportunity to experience something new is really important to them"

Plans will get underway in August as students are given another opportunity to get creative; next year at the 8th annual event.