Click here to download the list of registered schools for 2009

WinterLights evaluates how the municipality celebrates activities and events supported by the community during the winter season. This is this third year the City of Vaughan has entered the national competition.

Our city will be judged on the following five criteria:
• Visual Presentations
• Festive Season Celebrations
• Winter Pleasures
• Goodwill Programs
• Tourism/Promotion

Elementary, secondary and private schools in Vaughan are invited to participate and showcase their school by entering the My Vaughan Shines school program.

It's easy to get involved - all you have to do is provide us with a list of winter events and activities that your school has planned from November 1, 2008 to March 1, 2009.

All participating schools will receive 30 FREE student City of Vaughan indoor recreational skate passes. Throughout the program, schools have opportunities to win various City of Vaughan recreational prizes.

The My Vaughan Shines Welcome Celebrations will be held December 9, 2008 at the Vellore Cultural Interpretive Centre. Participating schools are notified of event details closer to the date. Schools, community organizations, residents and local businesses are invited to participate and enjoy the day's events. WinterLights judges will be on hand as they begin their tour and evaluation of Vaughan for the national WinterLights competition.

Register your school to participate in the My Vaughan Shines school program by December 6, 2008.

Click here to download the registration form!

For more information, please contact Mirella Tersigni, Community Development Coordinator, City of Vaughan, at 905-832-2377 ext. 7429
REGISTER TODAY and showcase your school!
All registrations must be received by DECEMBER 6, 2008.

SCHOOL PROGRAM IDEAS

We know that during the winter season schools are involved in many exciting classroom projects and extracurricular activities. Here are just a few ideas to get you started. Tell us what you do at your school to celebrate My Vaughan Shines.

INITIATIVE & IDEA EXAMPLES
GOODWILL PROGRAMS: Charity food, clothing and toy drives; fundraisers; community giving; sponsoring a less-privileged family; and, charity bake sales.

VISUAL PRESENTATIONS
Lighting and decoration of classrooms and school entrances; enhancement of outdoor school grounds; exhibits and displays; winter-themed projects; and performances (i.e. plays, dances).

FESTIVE SEASON CELEBRATIONS
Lighting ceremonies; choir performances; celebrations of various cultural holiday traditions; candlelight walks; concerts; sleigh rides; carol singing; heritage activities; cookie bakes; and, multicultural pot-lucks.

WINTER PLEASURES
School festivals; ice skating; winter sport competitions; skiing; trail walks; ice and snow sculpturing; carnivals; and, winter treasure hunts.

All schools that register with 2008 WinterLights will automatically be entered to win a WinterPLAY! physical activity workshop facilitated by City of Vaughan recreational staff as part of the My School Shines program in addition to receiving 30 swim/skate passes from the Recreation & Culture Department.

A WinterPLAY! draw will be held at each community centre to pull the name of one winning school within the respective area. The winning school will be contacted and an Active Living Coordinator (ALC) from the local community centre will assist in the scheduling and coordination of the winter themed workshop.

The WinterPLAY! program will include:
• Outdoor winter game workshop (1 hour) for up to 30 students;
• Recreation staff will engage children in a variety of fun outdoor games;
• WinterPLAY! activity sheet will be distributed with tips and ideas for outdoor winter games to all participants; and
• Photo opportunity to highlight school and students on the My Vaughan Shines website.

NEW Green is the new Red! Art Project
Exhibit your school's artistic talent in a public display of community spirit. Celebrate Vaughan's diversity and multiculturalism using recycled materials.

The GREEN Holiday Art Project, a new WinterLights initiative, requires schools to create an oversized holiday ornament or card using only recycled materials based on a theme related to any of the following WinterLights program criteria: visual presentation, festive season celebrations, winter pleasures, goodwill programs, and tourism and promotion.

All projects submitted will have an opportunity to be showcased during the WinterLights season throughout various community centres as well as libraries throughout Vaughan.

Photos of artwork will be posted on the WinterLights website.

TO PARTICIPATE IN THE GREEN HOLIDAY ART PROJECT:

Teachers or school administrators must complete the WinterLights entry form and include a brief description of their school's holiday art project entry.

All entry forms must be submitted no later than December 6, 2008 to: Mirella Tersigni, Community Development Coordinator
Tel: 905-832-2377 x7429 Fax: 905-832-6726 Email: mirella.tersigni@vaughan.ca