Lena Shaw students given field trip of a lifetime

Fifty-eight Grade 5 students from Lena Shaw Elementary went on the field trip of a lifetime Saturday.

The students started their day with a guided tour of Peace Arch Hospital and were given a glimpse at potential career opportunities, from nursing and other health care professions to the trades. They learned the education they would need for the various positions and tour guides emphasized the need for students to stay in school.

This was followed by a visit to Rogers Arena to watch a nail-biter of a game between the Vancouver Canucks and the San Jose Sharks, in which the home team came out on top in a thrilling 4-3 victory. Students enjoyed every second of play and were on the edge of their seats throughout the third period as the Canucks and Sharks traded the lead.

The students topped off the day with a gourmet meal at the Pan Pacific Hotel.

Far from ordinary, the field trip was sponsored by the Cmolik Foundation through the Community-Schools Partnership. Founded by Surrey residents Ellen and Russ Cmolik, the Cmolik Foundation has a formal association with Lena Shaw Elementary and provides field trips and recreation and learning opportunities. The foundation also offers generous $30,000 scholarships to graduating Surrey students, at least one of whom has attended Lena Shaw Elementary.

“It was a perfect day, and they’ll remember it for the rest of their lives,” said principal Gary Bodner. “But we couldn’t have done it without parent volunteers and chaperones from the Cmolik Foundation.”

The Surrey Board of Education officially recognized the Cmolik Foundation in June 2009 for its extraordinary generosity and compassion in support of disadvantaged students in the Surrey School District. This field trip is only one of many provided to Lena Shaw students by the Cmolik Foundation over the last few years.