Hello from your DPCAS 12 class!

You may have seen some colourfully-painted rock monsters popping up around your neighbourhood lately. No, this isn’t an invasion of aliens. Instead, it’s a fun and engaging way to teach the little ones about how we can stay safe during this uncertain time. Originally envisioned by a Vancouver mother of two, Amanda Marshall, the rocks and her accompanying book are a way to get kids active and engaged, while teaching them about the coronavirus (without the scary side). Each cute little rock monster represents an important lesson, and you will find Amanda's free PDF children's book in the Heartsease "Family & Student Activities" section.

It didn't take us long to decide that we wanted to make a bROCKton version of this wonderful initiative, and so we would like to introduce you to...bROCK on a walk!

Here is how kids at Brockton can get involved:

1. Get on board with our b-ROCK on a walk challenge, as a way to keep your kids entertained, and help them understand in a kid-friendly way the pandemic occurring around us right now.

2. Each week, Heartsease will put out a different exploration challenge for your rocks. The b-ROCK on a walk challenges have different colour levels, with different challenges required to move on to the next colour. Each challenge over the next seven weeks is associated with a colour similar to the karate belt colours. Each ‘exploration belt’ is earned by completing said challenge, and if you want, you can literally paint that colour belt on your rock. The colour of your rock/s can be whatever you would like, but know that each colour is symbolic of an aspect of our collective fight against COVID-19, and our efforts to keep everyone safe (again, you can read Amanda Marshall's PDF). Don't worry if you miss a weekly challenge, as you can complete each challenge in your own time.

3. Create your rock monster! Grab some rocks from your garden, some paint or markers, and create your own bROCK. This is a great art and crafts activity as well :)

4. The first Heartsease challenge is the beginner level. Your bROCK will need to earn a white belt in order to move onto the next belt (yellow).

5. To earn your white belt, bring your bROCK to your three favourite places, if possible outside. You can walk in your neighbourhood, go on a walk with your family, stay in your backyard, or even do it in your house.

6. Take a photo or video of your first bROCK in every place you visit, and send them to: have_a_good_day@brocktonschool.com

If you are going outside right now, following safe physical distancing practices, we encourage you to use this week’s challenge as a reason to go on a family walk, get active, and get fresh air, while also having discussions about the importance of physical distancing. If you are not going outside right now, then you can enjoy this activity from the comfort of your own home. Either way, everyone can get involved.

Our dream is to add all of our community's bROCKs to our school garden and grounds, once we can safely congregate together again. Imagine what a beautiful sight and site that will be!

Stay Healthy, Stay Safe, & bROCK On Brockton!