For the entire month of November, Grade 8 students and their teaching staff, Mr. Kevin Maracle and Ms. Jeanette Steinke, put in a lot of effort to raise funds for their Graduation Trip. This was the 2ndAnnual Fundraiser of its kind. Posters were developed to advertise their enthusiastic fund-raising venture of earning $4,000 -- $1,000 for each of the four teachers volunteering to dye their hair! A month-long advertising campaign ensued with community-wide notices generated, and Grade 8 students took turns daily manning the donation box table located in the school’s entrance. They canvassed family, friends, community members, sponsors, businesses, and departments -- challenging themselves to successfully generate this handsome amount of zhooniyaa.
Last year for the hair dying fundraiser, the students chose hot pink as the dye colour for their teacher, Mr. Kevin Maracle. He was the sole volunteer and whole-heartedly supported the students’ idea. Recall him saying last year, “it’s only hair, and I’m doing it for the kids.” This year, more volunteers came forward to hopefully increase the donations received. Mr. Maracle once again volunteered his locks, joined by Mr. Kevin Lester (Physical Education and Wellness Teacher), Mr. Dwayne Toulouse (Educational Assistant), and Ms. Jeanette Steinke (Educational Assistant). These four brave individuals stepped up to support the fundraising efforts, bleaching their natural hair colour to a lovely tint of orange in preparation for the green dye, weeks ahead of the fundraising deadline. They were confident the students would meet their $4000target! Kudos to all of you for this level of dedication and support as Educators!
This year’s graduating class chose green as the dye colour of choice! We’re not talking a tame moss, sage, or leaf green – think highlighter green, Grinch green, or 80s fluorescent green laces! (look it up 😊) The timing was good as Christmas season was on the horizon, and their good nature and ‘spirit’ lent itself well to the festivities, as much as their bright green hair would. As the month was coming to a close, the welded cash boxes didn’t seem to carry a lot of weight or jingle when they were shaken. Students were beginning to wonder if they would see their teachers forced to fulfill the green hair-dye challenge after all. With only days to go, the Director of Family and Community Support Services (FCSS), Juanita Skruibis, and team, pledged to match all funds raised, if Biidaaban’s Principal, Becky Toulouse, also agreed to dye her hair green! This caused tremendous excitement and a flurry of cash flowing in from all over the community. This was getting exciting! And real! Ms. Becky accepted the challenge and the crowd went wild! Anew set of advertisements went out; “Breaking News…”; to generate enthusiasm and earnings.
At precisely noon on November 28, the fundraising challenge closed, and Mr. Maracle, along with several Grade 8 students, went outside to grind the locks off and reveal the contents of the cashboxes. Students all gathered back inside their classroom to begin the process of counting the coins and bills, overseen by several staff members to ensure accuracy. After several counts, the amount fundraised totalled $4,682.25! The students were ecstatic! The hair dying was set to take place that afternoon at 2:00pm in the gym. Once tables and chairs [with garbage bags securely in place below to catch any bright green dye] were set up for the Fab 5 Educators, the fun and excitement continued. The Grade 8’s assembled around the dye station to watch the transformation take place. Gloves were donned by the dye applicators, and spectators stood with cell phones ready for Instagram worthy pics. Allowing the proper amount of time to pass to ensure the dye set to its full colour potential, staff, students, and visitors watched as each educator was treated to a new hair style, laughing and cheering the group in support of their bravery. The smiles were big and the generosity of everyone who volunteered their hair and their funds was even bigger. Chi miigwech to the educators who volunteered, and to the community for their donations to making the Green Hair Dye Challenge a reality, as well as the upcoming Graduation adventure.
On December 17, FCSS members, Juanita Skruibis, Christine Toulouse, Jasmine Abitong, and Gail Trudeau, along with Principal Becky Toulouse, attended the Grade 8 classroom, carrying an enormous cheque(literally) through the halls of Biidaaban. Dressed in festive seasonal attire and ‘dyed hair-dos’ of their own version, they excitedly greeted the students and presented the donation cheque to the class. Family and Community Support Services matched funds for a grand total of $9,364.50 to be put toward the graduates’ year end trip! Chi miigwech to Family & Community Support Services for this amazing level of support towards both the fundraising efforts, and the students’ opportunity to gain lasting memories from their year-end trip and celebrate the students’ efforts throughout the year.
