Bell-ringing ceremony for Walter & Gladys Hill Public Faculty pupil

Article content material

You might see the enjoyment in her eyes, and on her face regardless of the masks—Katelyn Slater rang her most cancers bell with enthusiasm—as she ended 829 days of IV chemotherapy final month. And, the at-home oral therapy earlier this month. The grade 3 Walter and Gladys Hill Public Faculty (WGH) pupil marked the special day along with her dad and mom, Michelle and Chris, and the college neighborhood. 

Article content material

The complete faculty was embellished with unicorns and messages of encouragement as Katelyn, 8, walked the hallways ringing the bell alongside along with her buddies, and workers. 

In June 2019, Katelyn was identified with T-Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma, a uncommon type of aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma whereas she was in Kindergarten; and was handled on the Stollery Youngsters’s Hospital. Her dad and mom mentioned the college has been an enormous assist throughout her journey.

“It’s overwhelming that it’s been so lengthy. We’ve been so concerned that we didn’t need to look too far forward and it feels so good to lastly be right here and have this assist. That is very particular,” mentioned her dad and mom after the ceremony.

Brendan Toner, Principal, WGH, realized of Katelyn’s situation when he joined the college three years in the past as Principal. He shares the background for the occasion. 

Article content material

Article content material

“Katelyn’s mother informed us that she was nearing completion of her therapies. She talked about the bell-ringing course of on the Stollery. I felt that we wanted to share a chance for her to have a good time in school, so we began to speak about what that appeared like. I referred to as it a ‘victory lap.’ We each agreed it could be an amazing concept and Ms. Hrovat began to have a look at the small print,” shares Toner.

“Courses embellished their doorways in a unicorn theme as Katelyn is our unicorn. Katelyn was shy, however she walked down the halls with two buddies ringing her bell good and loud, whereas lessons cheered. She met her class exterior and so they got bells to ring as a crew. From there, Ms. Hrovat acquired her a particular bell that we are going to maintain on the faculty as a token of the big day,” Toner added.

Article content material

He provides, Katelyn’s dad and mom appreciated the wonderful gesture, and the college neighborhood was past supporting.

“I feel Michelle and Chris appreciated the possibility to have Katelyn have a good time her accomplishments on the faculty. The Slater household has been via quite a bit and Katelyn is a survivor. They’ve shared that the college was a optimistic gentle for Katelyn in the course of the therapy.

“Our youngsters understood why we have been celebrating. They did an amazing job bringing enthusiasm and sharing on this particular second. Her class particularly was very excited they may do that collectively.”

“Over the past couple of years we now have needed to cope with a number of adverse issues which have brought about a number of stress. Nonetheless, whenever you stack that up in opposition to a baby struggling to beat most cancers, the entire points with Covid, floods, and anything turns into insignificant.

Article content material

“Acknowledging the wonderful story of her battle, speaking to the dad and mom, and placing your self in her footwear is actual stuff that makes your whole different issues pale as compared. It additionally makes you need to share her victory with the world. WGH is tremendous happy with her braveness and resilience coping with a nightmare state of affairs,” Toner provides.

Strategy to go Katelyn. We’re all so happy with you. We want you everlasting well being and happiness. 

-with recordsdata from Daybreak Sales space, FMPSD communications coordinator

Doing What’s Greatest for Children. For extra info on any of our 16 colleges, go to: fmpsdschools.ca. For actual time updates: comply with us on Twitter: @FMPSD and like us on Fb: Fort McMurray Public Faculty Division. We’re additionally on Instagram @FMPSD.