Lord Kitchener Elementary School PAC

Destination Imagination at Kitchener

Destination Imagination is a program that allows students to develop creativity, teamwork and problem solving skills. Small groups of student work together to solve open-ended Challenges and present their solutions to their classmates. Experts around the world agree that a country’s ability to innovate will be one of the key determinants of success in the 21st century economy. Being a world-class problem solver and innovator is going to help future generations of kids achieve success.

Kitchener has a long history of DI. We have an active, established DI program in grades 1 to 4 with some participating grade 5 classes. This year we are going to be supporting the start-up of DI in the Kindergarten level with the Rising Star program. Parents support teachers in offering the DI programs in the classrooms. Parents work with the teachers to schedule the time for DI, coordinate the supplies and run the sessions. This year we are also hoping to re-start the DI Club with the goal to compete at area and regional competitions. In the past Lord Kitchener Elementary has won in competition at the Global DI level.

Classroom and DI Club Manuals

The 2012 DI Manuals and the Rising Stars Manuals (Junior DI for grade K to 2) will be arriving on Friday October 28th. Kitchener has 25 Rising Star teams and 30 Regular teams registered. Each kit comes with enough materials for 6 children (a team). The kits will be distributed to each division (K to G5 inclusive) in the beginning of November. There are additional materials and manuals available for grade 6 and 7 classes that are interested in regular or occasional DI in the classroom. The three categories that have been the most popular at Kitchener in the past are Structures, Improvisational. and Rising Stars. Some of the other categories are also exciting (Science, Technical, Fine Arts, Outreach) and some classes may venture out and try a new category this year!

Training Sessions

Training Sessions for classroom and club parents will be held on Tuesday November 8th and Thursday November 10th from 1 pm to 2:45. There will be an overview for the 2012 season along with hands on Challenges. Yes, parents get to do DI for the afternoon! These sessions are open to anyone interested in leading DI in a classroom or in the club forum. All past and new members welcome. Refreshments will be provided. The sessions will be held at 3375 West 26th Avenue. Please register at jesmart@telus.net and remember to indicate which date you wish to attend. Please also let us know if neither date works for you. A third session will be added if there is overwhelming interest, as in years past.

We are also making special arrangements to have a representative from DI BC come to give a presentation. This has been a very popular session in the past. The date of this presentation will be announced in the next few weeks.

We hope everyone has a great DI year!

Jean Smart, DI Chairman and Mary Jo Wagner, DI Vice Chairman