When the lunch bell goes, groups of children of all grades at Morley Elementary rush to the gym for their very own hockey league, now in its 20th school year.
Known as the MHL, the Morley Hockey League is one of many ways across the District where staff work to build community outside of class time.
Blake Briscoe is the principal at Morley:
Imagine walking into a school gym and seeing a full-fledged hockey game in progress with the music pumping, a live announcer, a scoreboard, and screaming fans. This is the Morley Hockey League."
The intramural floor hockey league was created by staff member Troy Closs in 2005, after being asked by his then-principal to consider a way to teach kids how to play cooperatively and support a positive school environment.
Closs, a Connect Worker in Burnaby Schools, says the idea was to capture imaginations.
"The league began with 12 players, so we basically had enough to play a game. Currently, we have 300 players and 14 teams. It has really taken off. To me, the reason kids keep coming back and why the numbers have grown so much is that in the MHL we have an atmosphere that attempts to mimic the excitement of a real NHL arena."
Students work together on aspects of the league that go beyond the game, itself. They do live play-by-play and game interviews. There's a large electronic scoreboard, music in between play, a huge flashing red and overhead light to indicate a goal, players are projected on the screen, younger spectators take part in sing-a-long songs, and there are mascots for the playoffs.
Closs says the league supports student leadership, emphasizes teamwork and enforces fair play - all while providing children with a first class and fun experience.
"The bells and whistles are what excites the students - that plays a big part in their desire to continue to play. "
The MHL runs four to five days each week. It's also become an integral way to connect with community. Frequent guests of the MHL include members of the Burnaby RCMP, Burnaby Firefighters, Metro Vancouver Transit Police and Simon Fraser University's men's hockey team.
Throughout the District, engagement with partners strengthens the experience for students, enhances learning opportunities, and supports community connection.
Sheri Brattston is responsible for Out-of-School Time programs, which run after the school day. As the District Principal of Community Education and Child Care, her staff group includes Connect Workers, such as Closs, who are part of an integrated support team focused on building positive relationships with students, schools, and community members.
Brattston says, together, they work to create a healthy balance of opportunities for students.
"We've all heard the phrase, it takes a village.' Our Out-of-School Time community partners help extend the school's reach into the neighborhood and strengthen the school's role as a hub of support."
Another example of community partnerships that are elevating student experiences after the school bell goes is at Edmonds Community School. They have an almost decade-long partnership with what's now known as the Burnaby Football Club.
The Out-of-School Time program with Burnaby FC creates meaningful opportunities for students who would otherwise have multiple barriers to access a high-level soccer program. There are currently 36 children participating, ranging from 7 to 11 years old.
Connect Worker Dave Kumar has been working with the after-school soccer program since he came to Edmonds eight years ago.
"One of the most powerful outcomes has been seeing former participants return to our schools as coaches, referees, and mentors. This speaks to the lasting impact of having trusted adults who invest in students and equip them with the skills and confidence to give back to their community in positive and meaningful ways."
In addition to working on soccer skills, students in the program develop problem solving, teamwork, and social-emotional skills.
Kumar says, in some cases, the program has even helped participants get scouted and pursue their sporting dreams.
"Because of barriers, these students wouldn't necessarily have the chance to share their skills with professional coaches, and we're fortunate to have that opportunity for students. We've had a few who have been successful in achieving university scholarships through soccer."
Recently, Kumar, Brattston, and Closs presented about the programs and related opportunities - along with Edmonds' principal Guy Hamilton - at a Burnaby Board of Education public meeting.
After their presentation, Board Chair Kristin Schnider spoke about the importance of these kinds of opportunities.
"Public education is a wholistic system that is not just the bell-to-bell, it's all of the other supports in between. When you support a child to feel connected and part of a community - they're excited to go to something like the football club or Morley Hockey League - they learn better."
There are more than 430 Out-of-School Time programs across Burnaby Schools that are run in partnership with over 50 providers.
