‘Whiteout’ at Bird’s Hill School

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This article was published 06/02/2019 (2670 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

When reading is the goal, you can count on the Winnipeg Jets for an assist.

On Feb. 4, a Grade 4/5 class at Bird’s Hill School (3950 Raleigh St.) got a visit from Winnipeg Jets’ rookie Mason Appleton as part of I Love to Read Month.

“Reading is ultra important,” Appleton, who read from the children’s book Whiteout: A Winnipeg Jets Story, answered questions, and signed autographs, told The Herald. “You’re reading every day, even when you don’t realize it. To get that foundation at a young age, that’s very important.”

The 23 students in the classroom — and many of the staff on hand — were excited to host a Jet.

“The kids were super pumped,” said teacher Caitlin Diachun. “It was hard to get anything done this morning.”

Taiya Sippel, a Grade 5 student who enjoys R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps series had Appleton sign her Jets T-shirt, agreed that she was excited about the visit.

“I watch all the Jets games,” she said. “My younger brother is a big fan too.”

Bird’s Hill School was one of 11 schools in Winnipeg that were visited by Winnipeg Jets players for I Love to Read Month. 

“Any time you get to go to a school or do something around the community, it feels good,” Appleton said.

According to a statement from True North Sports + Entertainment, “classes were chosen based on an entrant’s list of top five reasons why a Jets player should read to their class. In addition to the visit, each winning entrant will receive an autographed replica jersey from a visiting player as well as an autographed book for each student and each classroom involved.”

“When they wrote the letter with their teacher they were all really into it,” said Diachun, who is filling in for teacher Krista Wasney, who is currently on leave. “Some of them even wrote their own letters on their own time. That was encouraging. They’re so excited to get the book, and I imagine we’ll spend the afternoon reading it again and again.”

Appleton, a product of Green Bay, Wis. in his first season with the Jets after being named the American Hockey League rookie of the year last season with the Manitoba Moose, said he was happy to make the appearance.

“It feels good,” admitted Appleton, who at press time had three goals and five assists in 26 games for the Jets this season. “It was cool to meet these kids and read to them today. I can remember back when I was younger, when you get any athlete to come to your school or anything like that, it sticks with you for a long time.”

Sheldon Birnie
Community Journalist

Sheldon Birnie is a reporter/photographer for the Free Press Community Review. Email him at sheldon.birnie@freepress.mb.ca or call him at 204-697-7112

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