The Kyle Composite School, like all schools in the province, is adjusting to education during the COVID-19 pandemic. Math and science teacher Keisha Paydachee says everyone is adjusting as best they can to the new circumstances.

"It's been a change. We're all navigating through unfamiliar territory together. Our staff, students, the division, have all be very patient and supportive. That's been huge for us."

Like many schools, Kyle has been working to try and keep some semblance of life before the pandemic around for their students. As a result they worked to host their usual spirit week... virtually. The school wanted to give students and their families the opportunity to be part of something familiar, and engaging.

"During the school year we usually have a spirit week, to promote school spirit, and to give students the opportunity to dress unlike them selves," Paydachee said. "Because we can't all be together we wanted our school families to feel that sense of togetherness, so we decided to host a virtual spirit week."

The school set a week long schedule that encouraged students to follow a dress up theme through the week. On Monday students were asked to throw on their favorite sports jersey. Tuesday asked mom and dad to dress like children and students to dress like adults, and Wednesday everyone was asked to put on their Kyle Comp. School clothing. Students and their families were then asked to share photos and video of them participating in the day's theme.

"With this new learning process, and everything going on in our world is so unfamiliar right now, we wanted to bring something familiar to our students. We wanted to try and keep some type of routine. We host spirit weeks every few months during school, so this was just something that was not unfamiliar, like everything else in their lives right now."

One of the advantages to hosting a spirit week virtually was that the wider community was able to enjoy the results. The posts were public, and the larger Kyle community were able to show their appreciation through the social media 'likes' and comments.

Spirit week, like everything related to schools right now, won't be the last thing to find a new life online during the pandemic. Graduation is around the corner and it's likely many west central schools will find ways to send off their graduates through a virtual celebration.