OCTOBER 27, 2011 – It was a cool dark morning and both fields were soggy and wet. Players were wearing toques, mittens and jackets, but despite the weather there was a fiery excitement in the air. Ten teams gathered at Woodville Elementary School for their annual Junior Mixed County Soccer Tournament. Woodville teacher, Darryl Patterson organized the event and the team's coach was fellow teacher Tanya Farr.

It was shivery and muddy as advertised--and the kids loved it. More than 550 student from 26 Ontario schools came out for the first annual Muskoka Mud Run, organized by Monck Public School in Bracebridge on Friday October 21, 2011.

The idea was spearheaded by Monck teachers and running enthusiasts Ellen Yeo and Andy Zeltkalns to get kids in grades 4 to 8 out and running while raising money for South Muskoka Community Living, a charity that provides support to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

VK Greer Elementary School was recently presented with a 30 year banner from the Terry Fox Foundation. Terry Fox completed his 'Marathon of Hope' in 1980. VK Greer ES took up the challenge left by Terry Fox the following year, 1981 and has continued the Marathon of Hope ever since.

Nutritious pizza – who would have thought? ARAMARK has taken over the cafeteria at LCVI and reinvented their menu to offer a diverse selection of nutritious food for students. The menu was carefully created by ARAMARK to ensure the growing minds and bodies of students are nourished and fuelled with well-balanced food choices.

On Friday, September 30, 2011, staff and students at Woodville ES laced up their running shoes and ventured out on a 5 km walk/run in support of Terry Fox. Teachers at Woodville ES went above and beyond this year, and set out high fundraising goals for their students. These students didn't shy away from this challenge, but met it with full force resulting in two creatively dressed teachers – Mr. Thomas wearing a cowgirl outfit, and Mr. Patterson in a green thing costume. The two teachers continued their support for Terry Fox and sprinted around the 5 km route in their unique costumes!

On Tuesday, September 27, 2011 40 schools from Trillium Lakelands District School Board were part of the 20,000 students and educators from across the province at the ACC in support of We Day 2011. 20,000 voices joined together in compassionate cheers for Free the Children Founders Marc and Craig Kielburger. 40,000 eyes were glued to motivational speaker and child soldier survivor Michel Chikwanine as he shared his compelling story of pain and struggle. 40,000 ears listened to performances from Nelly Furtado, Shawn Desman, City and Colour, Nikki Yanofsky, Down with Webster, and the Kenyan Boys Choir. Tears of inspiration flowed from thousands of students as they shouted together as one – "WE ARE THE CHANGE!"

Did you know water is the only substance found on earth naturally in three forms – solid, liquid, and gas? On Monday, September 26, 2011 hundreds of students gathered at Kinark Outdoor Centre for the Children’s Water Festival to learn about the importance of water and the role it plays in our daily lives. Some of the activities included, water conservation, attitudes, technology, protection, and science. Students left the festival with a new compassionate outlook on the importance of water, and the need to protect it.