William A. Fraser Middle School students are channelling their inner Martin Scorsese with an ambitious video project that celebrates figures in their lives that have made a positive difference.
The Empowering Voices and Building Connections Community Video Project began in October, with students asked to select a teacher that made a difference in their life from kindergarten on, a family connection that also made a difference in their life and a community member that contributes locally.
Those selections were then asked to participate and answer questions on video from the students that chose them. More than 300 submissions were made by students in Grade 8 classes and the Fraser Equity Leadership League (Grades 6 to 8) and filming occurred over two days earlier this month.
The video will then be painstakingly edited into two shorter videos – one highlighting teachers and the other showcasing community members and family. Community members could be paramedics, police officers or politicians. Students also had to complete a written component explaining why they chose who they selected. These videos will then be shown to the subjects in June for a special Video Reveal Celebration Day and also be released to the public on Abbotsford School District platforms.
“Our goal as a school staff is to inspire and empower students to take positive actions to uplift others and build a stronger Abbotsford," stated Fraser vice-principal Nerlap Sidhu. "This project involved a lot of thought, care and self reflection for our students and special guest as it captured their voices and was rooted in their lived experiences."
Sidhu said that she hopes students learn the importance of giving back to the community through this project. She added that this project may inspire other students and help make a stronger Abbotsford.
"This project is important to me because it allows us as students to take a moment to thank those that may not even know how they have made a difference in our lives," stated Grade 8 student Seerat. "It also captures so many student voices saying thank you in so many different ways.”
“I am excited to let my former teacher know how she made a tremendous difference in my life," said Grade 7 student Mirabella. "At Fraser Middle School we have learned a lot about the importance of uplifting others and giving gratitude. I will remember to do this for the rest of my life."
Sidhu thanked Fraser staff and principal Ian Levings for helping to plan and create this type of learning project for students. She also thanked Tim Hortons for sponsoring the event and Fraser alumni Anshdeep and Angela Sharda for their leadership in the project.
An official Video Reveal Celebration Day date will be finalized in the coming days.
Earlier this month the school made headlines for launching a community art project to raise awareness of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls crisis.
