Bell-ringing ceremony for Walter & Gladys Hill Public College scholar

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You may 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 remedy earlier this month. The grade 3 Walter and Gladys Hill Public College (WGH) scholar marked the big day together with her dad and mom, Michelle and Chris, and the college neighborhood. 

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The complete college was adorned with unicorns and messages of encouragement as Katelyn, 8, walked the hallways ringing the bell alongside together with her associates, and workers. 

In June 2019, Katelyn was recognized 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 Kids’s Hospital. Her dad and mom mentioned the college has been an enormous help throughout her journey.

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

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

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“Katelyn’s mother instructed us that she was nearing completion of her remedies. She talked about the bell-ringing course of on the Stollery. I felt that we would have liked to share a possibility for her to have a good time at college, so we began to speak about what that seemed like. I referred to as it a ‘victory lap.’ We each agreed it will be an important thought and Ms. Hrovat began to take a look at the small print,” shares Toner.

“Lessons adorned their doorways in a unicorn theme as Katelyn is our unicorn. Katelyn was shy, however she walked down the halls with two associates ringing her bell good and loud, whereas lessons cheered. She met her class outdoors they usually got bells to ring as a staff. From there, Ms. Hrovat bought her a particular bell that we’ll maintain on the college as a token of the special occasion,” Toner added.

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

“I believe Michelle and Chris appreciated the possibility to have Katelyn have a good time her accomplishments on the college. The Slater household has been via rather a lot and Katelyn is a survivor. They’ve shared that the college was a optimistic gentle for Katelyn through the remedy.

“Our children understood why we have been celebrating. They did an important 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’ve got needed to cope with numerous unfavorable issues which have brought on numerous stress. Nevertheless, once you stack that up in opposition to a toddler struggling to beat most cancers, the entire points with Covid, floods, and the rest turns into insignificant.

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“Acknowledging the superb story of her battle, speaking to the dad and mom, and placing your self in her sneakers is actual stuff that makes your entire different issues pale compared. It additionally makes you wish 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 information from Daybreak Sales space, FMPSD communications coordinator

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

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