Portage la Prairie's Crescentview School is diving into a first with an inaugural Heritage Week starting Tuesday, February 20. 

Principal Doyle Moar says they're trying it this year in efforts to build school culture and community.

"We decided that we're going to do some different stuff throughout the week, just to celebrate Canada and our heritage," explains Moar. "We're going to have some Indigenous games in phys ed class. We're going to be doing beading and ribbon skirt presentations in classrooms. Wednesday, we are going to do some cricket games in phys ed classes. It's going to be Toque and Jersey Day. We're also doing a Donut Day on Wednesday. (There's nothing more Canadian than donuts, I guess.) And then on Thursday, we have our first Outdoor Activity Day, which we're going to call Winterfest. Our outdoors club is heading to Rodgers Hill to go tubing. So, that'll be for Grade 6 to 8."

He notes the rest of students will participate in various winter outdoor activities, including snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and maybe broomball. Moar adds it all depends on the weather.

"And then Friday, our Grade 6s are off to Festival du Voyageur, and we're going to have that day here," continues Moar. "There will be Voyageur dress-up day and games In the gym."

Moar says teachers and students alike seem to be quite excited for the week's activities. Some haven't been announced, but the larger events such as the school trip, outdoor activities, and some of Indigenous events have yet to be revealed.

"It's a shorter week, too, coming off Louis Riel Day," notes Moar. "That makes it a good week to do all this stuff."