Students learn about the Canadian Armed Forces through the eyes of Flat Stanley

Students at Charles C. McLean Public School in Gore Bay have explored the world through the eyes of Flat Stanley this year. Last October, Heather Jefkins and her Grade 4/5 class read the popular children’s book "Flat Stanley" and created their own unique Stanley Soldiers, dressed in distinctive camouflage. Students then wrote letters and took photos with their Stanleys before deploying them to Canadian Armed Forces Bases across Canada.

 

"Flat Stanley" tells the story of a boy who is flattened and gets to go on special adventures.  Initiated by a teacher in London, Ontario in 1995, the “Flat Stanley Project” allows students to engage in pen pal writing with others around the world.

 

Members of the Canadian Armed Forces, Stanley Handlers as the students called them, agreed to take their Flat Stanleys on adventures, take pictures of them at their bases and on exercises, and send at least one letter back to help students learn about the military.

The Stanleys have been on some amazing adventures, from parachuting from high above to trying on fighter pilot helmets and night-vision goggles. One Stanley even traveled with Canada’s Disaster Emergency Response Team (DART) to the Philippines to assist with OP Renaissance following Typhoon Hayian in November.

“Operation Flat Stanley got students excited about learning as they put into practice important skills such as writing and editing letters, creating interactive podcasts, and designing pieces of art to share with their Stanley Handlers,” said Heather Jefkins. “Students were thrilled to follow their adventures and used the world map in their agendas to find any country they visited.”

Students also learned about character traits, such as empathy. One of the Flat Stanleys was cloned and given to a little boy fighting Leukemia.  The students received photos of him as he went through chemotherapy and other treatments in St. John’s, NL.  They then put together a Christmas care package for the little boy, which included treats, books, and different hats and toques.

The students sent many special wishes to their Stanley Handlers, including poppy seeds, mittens, newsletters, artwork, homemade Christmas cards, Valentine’s Day cards and Easter cards. They received interesting gifts in return, including a decommissioned ammo box, a ration pack of food that soldiers eat while on exercises, stickers, pencils, pens, patches, toques and t-shirts.

Since becoming involved in Operation Flat Stanley, Heather Jefkins’ students have encouraged others to support their cause.  The Grade 4/5 class prepared the Remembrance Day service at Charles C. McLean Public School and challenged everyone to participate in Red Friday to show support for the Canadian Armed Forces.  Students were photographed in the gym, with a message that read “Peace on Earth”, and were featured on the national website for Canadian Heroes.

Heather Jefkins was pleased to learn that a new team of student recruits might be able to enter basic training and sign on for Operation Flat Stanley II in the next school year. One of the Lieutenants has already expressed an interest in helping out.

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Media Contact:

Heather Jefkins, Teacher, Charles C. McLean Public School

Rainbow District School Board, 705-368-7015.

Canadian Force Base – Esquimalt, British Columbia: Sophie Hietkamp’s Flat Stanley takes a selfie with his “Stanley Handler”.

The students from Charles C. McLean Public School display their Flat Stanley troops before deploying them to various Bases across the country.

Canadian Forces Base – Winnipeg, Manitoba: Bella Jefkins’ Flat Stanley meets Honourary Colonel Loreena McKennitt, right, along with her Sudbury native "Stanley Handler" Lieutenant Marla Haring of the Royal Canadian Air Force.

Canadian Forces Base to the Philippines: Lauren Mackay’s Flat Stanley travels with the Canadian Forces Disaster Assistance Response Team to help after the typhoon.

Canadian Forces Base – Goose Bay, Labrador: Austin Hayden’s Flat Stanley jumps out of a helicopter with a Search and Rescue Technician.

Canadian Forces Station – Alert, Nunavut: Jesse Burella’s Flat Stanley travels to the tip of Canada.