GORE BAY—A group of students at Charles C. McLean Public School in Gore Bay is again participating in the Flat Stanley program with Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members who have volunteered with OP Flat Stanley. And recently, one of the students OP Flat Stanley sent to a CAF member visited the Royal Canadian Mint in Ottawa.
“OP Flat Stanley is in full swing again this year,” said Heather Jefkins, Grade 4-5 teacher at C.C. McLean. “We have 29 participants, partnered up with 22 Grade 4-5 students. Students completed their Stanley and wrote an introductory letter, which was mailed in early October. Since that time we have received a number of letters and photos from across the country. So far we have received photos from coast (CFB Esquimalt, British Columbia), to coast (CFB Halifax, Nova Scotia) to coast (CFS Alert, NU). In addition, some of our Stanley’s have been on very interesting ‘field trips,’ learning more about Canada.”
“Kowan Orford’s Stanley visited the Royal Canadian Mint in Ottawa,” explained Ms. Jefkins. “He is with an actual 24K gold bar. Weighing almost 28 pounds, we learned that this bar would be worth over $1 million. We thought that was pretty amazing! We also learned how special medals like the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic medals are struck at the Mint, as well as specialty collector coins. This particular Stanley will be travelling to the other mint location (in Winnipeg) in the future, to learn about how Canadian money is printed. He’s having a very rich experience.”
