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Rockwood-To commemorate the local centenarian and neighbor Sytske Drijber, students from Rockwood Centennial Public School (RCPS) brought the Memorial Day ceremony to her front door.    

On November 11th, several classes from kindergarten to third and fourth grade gathered outside Dribel's home to cherish the memory of local veterans.

The students sang peace songs and arranged poppies designed in art class on the fences of Rockwood residents.

The students also read a letter they wrote together, thanking Mrs. Drijber for her bravery and her being a good neighbor of the school.

Drijber wrote a poem to help students understand why they wear poppies, and the school principal Olivier Cutz read the poem.

In an email to advertisers, RCSP teacher Valeria Soper said that the pupils gave Drijber a brief introduction on the anniversary last year, and her caregiver contacted them this year to see if they would be interested in coming again.

Soper said that it is important for students to participate in this initiative because it is often difficult for young students to understand anniversaries when they are not directly connected to them.

"Mrs. Drijber is a veteran in our community, hearing some of her stories and seeing her make our young students feel connected to the war," she explained, adding that it was great to have the opportunity to celebrate Drijber NS.

"Primary students often learn how to fill someone's bucket by doing good deeds for someone," she said.

"I think every student felt that they participated in Mrs. Drijber's work on November 11.

"It is obvious from the constant smile on Mrs. Drijber's face that she is very happy to meet the students."

Soper said that Drijber also wrote a letter to the students thanking them for remembering her and inviting them to stop and look at the Christmas display in her yard.

"For this generation of students, it is very important to continue to learn and understand this history and establish contact with the war, because the freedom they enjoy every day is attributed to veterans like Mrs. Drijber.

"We must not forget the sacrifices made for us," she added.

"I am grateful that one of our students has a veteran to connect with."

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