Cooper’s Crossing School is hosting a residency called “Be The Circus” this month – a chance for kids at the pre-kindergarten to Grade 5 school to learn the art of juggling, clowning, unicycling and more from renowned performer Flyin’ Bob.
Beginning Oct. 19, each homeroom will get a chance to participate in circus workshops throughout the week, culminating in a final showcase for parents to attend on Oct. 26 on 27.
According to Trena McKinnon, child development advisor at Cooper’s Crossing School, for a total of seven days, students will learn the art of acrobatics and balance, as well as comedy and character building for a circus performance.
“From the balance of a peacock feather on his nose, to the rainbow skywriter, to the spectacular and nearly disastrous high-wire walk, Flyin’ Bob takes students on a one-hour search for balance,” reads a statement on Flyin’ Bob’s website.
Students at the southwest Airdrie school will witness and participate in wire walking demonstrations, while also learning the importance of physical activity, concentration, peer support, community, and the value of failure as well as success, according to the website.
“All of the classes will get to participate in a few different sessions with [Flyin’ Bob], and then at the end there will be a [time] to share with their parents,” McKinnon said of the residency.
“Each grade team will take turns inviting parents and having a little show and demonstration of the skills they learn. I think it’ll be really fun.”
She added there may even be a chance for kids to pull their parents onto centre stage and show them some of the skills they’ve learned during the residency.
Throughout the week, students will also learn the rewards and consequences of taking risks and responsibility for their own actions, stated the website.
“Be The Circus has mesmerized elementary, junior, and senior school students across the country,” concluded the website. “When was the last time a show in your school made a kindergartener and a too-cool senior laugh at the same time?”
“[The show] recharges your students and imbues them with the energy of future possibilities.”
According to McKinnon, Flyin’ Bob has performed around the world and made a special appearance at the school last spring.
“I’ve had him at a previous school both for performances and a residency,” she said of the artist’s popularity. “Last year we had him come and do a performance at the end of the year to give everybody a little taste of what was to come.”
She said on average, his show lasts for approximately 50 minutes, leaving time for a 10-minute question-and-answer period between students and the circus performer.
“He sets up a tight rope in our gym, so it’s all down the whole length of the gym and the center and then all the students sit on either side looking towards the middle, towards the rope,” she said.
“And then he does this big circus performance show right in our school.”
She said the residency week is akin to a “circus camp” for students.
“One of the things that I focus on in school is wellness and I think it’s so important for kids to find some sort of physical activity they enjoy because when you find that, you’ll keep doing it,” McKinnon said. “I always talk and promote finding an activity that you like to do.”
She added in previous residencies, the school has found many students find success in at least some of the activities they learn.
“Some of them might be good at juggling, some of them might be good at the tightrope walking, some might be good at the balancing,” she said. “So, they all find some way to be successful.”
