Building Literacy from the Ground Up - Leaf Rapids
Since joining Leaf Rapids Education Centre in January, we (Emelio Campbell and Janaa Shaw-Campbell) have seen first-hand how many students struggle with reading fluency, limited vocabulary, and written expression. To meet that need we created the Leaf Rapids Literacy Club, whose mission is to;
- strengthen literacy, communication, and critical-thinking skills;
- spark creativity through writing, photography, and design;
- publish a quarterly magazine (digital & print) that showcases student work; and
- foster teamwork, leadership, and responsibility through real-world projects.
Although our spring recruitment drive did not yet yield long-term members, we secured editing software, drafted a constitution, and mapped out a full magazine workflow—laying a solid launchpad for the fall.
First Big Win: Regional Spelling Bee
To generate excitement around words, the club hosted Leaf Rapids’ first Spelling Bee in May.
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Quick Facts |
Details |
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Grades involved |
K-8 (24 contestants, 60+ classmates cheering) |
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Prep method |
Each class practiced 50 age-appropriate words over two months, embedded in daily literacy lessons |
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Outcomes |
Boosted vocabulary, and public-speaking confidence; brought families and staff together in celebration |
The success confirmed that students want literacy-rich activities—they simply need clear entry points and visible momentum.
Looking Ahead
- Summer Literacy & Media Camp (August 2026) – one-week creative blitz open to all Grades 5-12; projects will seed our inaugural magazine.
- September Relaunch – classroom “mini-workshops” during ELA to recruit students into micro-roles (photo editor, copy checker, layout artist).
- Fall Magazine + Printing-Press Field Trip – hands-on production culminating in a printed Fall Edition and community showcase.
- 2026 Regional Spelling Bee – we are extending formal invitations to Lynn Lake, Brochet, and other Area 1 schools so northern learners can compete, collaborate, and celebrate literacy together.
With infrastructure, partnerships, and one successful event already in place, the Leaf Rapids Literacy Club is poised to become a northern hub for creativity and 21st-century skills.
Ekosi,
Emelio Campbell – Editor-in-Chief
Janaa Shaw-Campbell – Club Co-Founder
Leaf Rapids Education Centre
Frontier School Division
LREC Spelling Bee
