We come from the stars

Westgrove School’s motto, “We come from the stars,” has recently taken on a greater meaning, thanks to a school-wide journey and the creation of a Star Blanket.

“This Star Blanket is a symbol of love, protection and strength. Just like the diamonds, our community is coming together. We are kind, respectful and resilient,” shares Shawna Nagler, Indigenous student success teacher.

The beautiful blanket, completed in December, matches the school’s colours. The names of all 114 students, every staff member, senior leadership and trustee are displayed in each person’s own handwriting, using iron-on transfers applied to the diamonds before they were sewn together.

This cross-curricular project involved an inquiry of the star as the school’s emblem. Nagler engaged Knowledge Keeper Andrea Redsky to share Star Stories with students and highlight how we can live with each other and all our relations in creation. Each class then had the opportunity to retell Star Stories in a writer’s workshop.

Student learning extended to math and science, too: The cut-out diamond shapes gave opportunities for lessons in patterns, symmetry, measurement, angles and perimeter. The design of the blanket provided examples of how colours fit together. The Star Stories themselves carried lessons about the changing seasons, as well as the properties of sound and light.

Redsky, who is from the Shoal Lake #40 community, then set to work on creating the blanket. “Hours and hours went into it,” she says. Her voice of experience is evident in her smile as she shares, it is neither her first nor last Star Blanket. She recalls the words of elder Tammy Johnson:

“If children are the descendants of the stars, what do educators need to know to help them keep shining among creation?”

Redsky believes these words connect well with this project. She feels that all kids, and especially Indigenous students, need to know that their perspectives and their culture is represented in the things they do and see every day at school.

The names, she says, were a special touch. “I had never ironed on names before. It was impressive watching the students find their names. We decided that we wouldn’t cluster them by classroom, that they would be random so that the kids could have a chance to look and find their names.”

Aurora Star, a Grade 5 student at Westgrove, and her younger sister were thrilled to be the first students to search for their names.

“The star blanket looks so nice,” she says. “I really like it and how we learned about stars. It makes me proud to be at Westgrove.”

Westgrove’s principal, Cheryl McCombe, agrees. “It is truly wonderful to see the students checking out their names on the blanket and taking ownership of [it],” she says, adding that Nagler’s lessons kept students engaged and invested, meeting the needs of diverse learners and all K-5 grade levels.

“She shared her teachings of the stars throughout our school and in the end; we were left with an amazing Star Blanket that belongs to all of the staff and students of Westgrove School.”

Stronger connections built one lesson, one piece of fabric at a time. Thanks to everyone who made this journey possible.