ROCKWOOD – In honour of local centenarian veteran and neighbour Sytske Drijber, students at Rockwood Centennial Public School (RCPS) brought the Remembrance Day ceremony to her front door.
On Nov. 11, several classes, from kindergarten to Grade 3 and 4, gathered outside the home of Drijber to unite in remembrance with the local veteran.
Students sang songs of peace and lined the Rockwood resident’s fence with poppies designed in their art class.
The students also read a letter they wrote together, thanking Mrs. Drijber for her bravery and for being such a good neighbour to the school.
Drijber wrote a poem to help the students understand why they wear a poppy, which was read by the school’s principal Olivier Cutz.
In an email to the Advertiser, RCSP teacher Valeria Soper said the primary students had given a small presentation to Drijber last year for Remembrance Day and were contacted by her caregiver this year to see if they would be interested in coming again.
Making a connection
Soper said it was important for the students to take part in the initiative as it can often be difficult for the younger students to understand Remembrance Day when they have no direct connection to it.
“Mrs. Drijber is a veteran in our community and hearing a bit of her story and seeing her allows our younger students to feel a connection to the war,” she explained, adding it was wonderful to have the opportunity to celebrate Drijber.
“The primary students often learn about filling someone’s bucket by doing something kind for someone,” she said.
“I think each student felt like they had had a part in filling Mrs. Drijber’s bucket on November 11.
“It was evident from the constant smile on Mrs. Drijber’s face that she was so happy to see the students.”
Soper said Drijber also wrote a letter for the students, thanking them for remembering her and inviting them to stop by to see the Christmas display in her yard.
“It is important for students in this generation to continue to learn and understand this history and make these connections to the war because the freedoms they enjoy each day are due to veterans like Mrs. Drijber.
“We cannot forget the sacrifices that were made for us,” she added.
“I am grateful that our students have a veteran to make a connection with.”
