The Bentley school continually strives to give back to the community.
Each classroom donated to a themed Christmas basket to raffle off at the Christmas concerts and there was a silent auction and raffle and donations collected at the Winter Classic hockey game.
High school librarian, Sherry Haarstad, spends many hours sorting, organizing, and wrapping up all the classroom gift baskets.
This year over $6,000 was raised between fundraising at the Winter Classic hockey game and the school Christmas concerts in December. It went towards the Families-in-Need program at the school.
Gift cards were bought and purchased and distributed to many people / families / children in the community.
Haarstad also helps gather ‘Gifts for Grandparents’ which the entire school donates to.
Assistant school principal, Stephen Lush, and the Bentley Grade 9 students delivered 44 gifts to grandparents within the community of Bentley, the Bentley Care Center, Oxford Court, Westview Apartments and some individual homes, with another 15 gift bags given to the Red Deer Family Services of Central Alberta to support their efforts to give gifts to grandparents throughout central Alberta.
The newly organized parent school council, in cooperation with the school, is helping to organize some activities to help encourage the community to make better use of the school building itself.
The elementary school now opens its doors and hallways to accommodate winter walkers Monday through Thursday from 3:30-8:30 pm. free of charge. All that is required is a pair of indoor shoes. Participants must sign in and out. People can walk the school hallways to exercise while avoiding the cold and icy conditions outdoors, and at the same time admire the students’ work that is displayed.
On open gym night, Tuesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m., the elementary gymnasium is now open. Adults may participate in activities such basketball, volleyball, badminton and floor hockey. Indoor shoes are a requirement. There is no cost.
Access for gym night and walking the hallways are through the Panther Fitness doors.
The Panther Fitness Centre located in the south end of the Bentley elementary school is open to the public on Monday through Thursday from 3:30 - 8:30 p.m. and on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings from 8:00-10:00 a.m. It is closed on all school holidays.
A fitness specialist is available at specified times for personal training, personalized program setup, group/partner training.
A variety of exercise equipment is accessible. There is a drop-in fee or memberships are available. Call (403) 341-4153 Ext. 2121 for details.