G.C. Huston Principal Dan Russell led the school in song during a February 2 assembly that focused on Nbwaakaawin - Wisdom and honouring long-time bus driver Sally Sollars.

Hub Staff

The students of G.C. Huston Public School have continued their education of Bimaadzwin or the “Good Path”, based on Ojibway’s seven Grandfather Teachings.

Earlier in the school year Principal Dan Russell said that he wanted to expand his students’ learning and find a central focus. “Our goal was to continue to go deeper... to try to get to a whole new level of relevance for our children and to make the learning meaningful for them instead of just touching the surface,” said Russell.

At a February 2 assembly in the school’s gymnasium, the teaching of Nbwaakaawin - Wisdom was the focus. Students from several classrooms presented ideas of wisdom and how one can become wiser to their fellow Hawks. The school’s Bimaadzwin artists also unveiled the Nbwaakaawin door which took the artists about a month to complete. The door belongs to Mr. White’s Grade 2/3 class, where his students left their fingerprints as stars in the night sky.

In October Minaadendmowin - Respect, was featured on a door that was also created by the Bimaadzwin artists. The artists are already working on their next door, Naagidwin - Love. Which will be followed by Aakdehewin - Bravery, Gwekwadiziwin - Honesty, Dbaadendizwin - Humility and finally Debwewin - Truth.

During the assembly Russell told the audience that students from Grades 5 to 8 are learning persuasive writing techniques which they will put to use when they contact members of the Ontario government regarding naming the bridge that joins Southampton and Saugeen First Nation as the Bimaadzwin Bridge. At this time, bridges can only be named after fallen police officers. “We should bring unity to our communities in a symbolic way by naming the bridge the ‘good path’ bridge,” said Russell during the assembly.

See: G.C. Huston is on Bimaadzwin, the Good Path

Before the Nbwaakaawin door was unveiled, there were a few important Hawks to honour. The phrase “once a Hawk, always a Hawk” was shouted in honour of Grade 3 teacher Mrs. Harris who will be moving on from her position.

The second assembly honouree has been a Huston Hawk for nearly 40 years. Sally Sollars has been driving the G.C. Huston students for her entire career as a bus driver and was honoured for doing so safely for 35 years by members of First Student and the Huston Hawks.

“This Huston Hawk serves our family by driving a bus, she has also served many of your parents as a bus driver,” said Russell. First Student Regional Manager Della Spencer said that Sollars was a leader and someone she looks up to. Phil Sargent, Safety Coordinator of First Student, drove from Toronto to celebrate Sollars. He said highlighting Sollars’ career was definitely worth the trip and that drivers like Sollars are important for students because they set students up for an education day. Sollars was gifted with treats from students, a plaque and a painting.

Members of the Southampton Community Band were also in attendance and donated $800 to the Southampton School.

Students from Mr. White’s grade 2/3 class told stories about times they’ve used wisdom.

The Bimaadzein artists kept Mr. White’s classroom door hidden until the unveiling.

The Grandfather Teaching of Nbwaakaawin depicted in the door by student artists from left: May Falsey, Shawna Charlebois, Madison David, Zoe Shave, Serena Telford-Ladd, Emma Roote, Harmony Ransome and Maddy Sheehan. Front row from left: Aiden Sky, Dante Wrightson and Olivia Hall.

Sally Sollars has been driving the bus for G. C. Huston students for nearly 40 years.

Sally Sollars was celebrated by students as well as members of First Student and the transpiration committee. From left Steve Lustig, Sally Sollars, Phil Sargent and Della Spencer of First Student.