Rocky View Schools (RVS) students are invited to submit their best Christmas artwork in a contest for a chance to see their original creations featured on RVS greeting cards.
This year, the theme for the contest is “tidings of comfort and joy” – but according to Lorna Reynolds, communications officer with RVS, the contest is really all about letting kids express what Christmas means to them.
“It always boils down to kids wanting to draw a picture about Christmas,” she said. “When you say Christmas to a kid, (it evokes) certain memories. That’s what we want.”
The contest is open to RVS students ranging from kindergarten to Grade 9. Two winners will be selected – one from the elementary school level, and one from the middle school level – and that artwork will be featured on digital Christmas cards for the RVS Board of Trustees and Superintendent of Schools.
Students can brainstorm their holiday creation at home, and some teachers in RVS schools may even choose to take the contest on as a class project.
“Sometimes you can tell there has been a lot of work put into it,” Reynolds said. “The teachers (sometimes) give them time to do it if they’ve (finished) their work.”
Though images of the holiday season tend to be front of mind for students in December, Reynolds said some familiar trends frequently emerge out of the submissions.
“(We see) reindeer and turkey and friends and gifts and wreaths decorating the tree,” she said. “It’s all about what Christmas means to kids, and that’s what we’re all about.”
Artwork can be produced with traditional means – including pencil, crayon or paint – or can be created digitally. Submissions are due by Dec. 15, and can be dropped off at the RVS Education Centre or sent through mail.
For more information, visit rockyview.ab.ca
