One of the small ducklings poses for a picture. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

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May 11, 2022 | 5:00 PM

A small crate, containing over a half a dozen small baby ducks, received a heroes welcome when it arrived Wednesday afternoon at Prince Albert’s St. Anne School.

The school is one of several in the area, tasked with looking after the small birds before they get released next month at the Memorial Gardens cemetery pond. Grade 1 student Harrison Fiddler was among the dozens of students waiting on the front steps of the school and told paNOW he already had a name picked out for one of the ducklings.

“Skittles because it’s a popular name,” he said.

Harrison Fiddler looks on as a small duckling receives attention from another student. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

This marks the event’s 17th year, and in addition to feeding the ducks, the students in Grades 1 and 5, will also be responsible for cleaning them. At night, the ducklings will be distributed to various student homes where they will enjoy the comforts of a heated garage or a bathtub.

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Grade 1 teacher Sara Corrigal said the kids benefit a lot from the project.

“They learn about taking care of a living thing which is something they learn in science and it’s just a good skill to know how to take care of something,” she said.

Acknowledging the excitement all around her, Corrigal explained the students were only told on Tuesday a surprise was coming that was yellow.

“It has been a very hard day containing the excitement,” she admitted.

The students were all very curious about the small birds. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

(Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Ward 4 Councillor Don Cody is the family services director at Memorial Gardens, and helped deliver the ducks to St. Anne school.

“Once we bring [the ducks] into the pond, it shows the young people that it’s not just an old graveyard, it’s a cemetery and it’s a nice place to come and visit,” he said.

The release date has been scheduled for June 9. Other schools taking part include St. Francis, Vickers, St. Michael, Birch Hills and Spruce Home. Hope’s Home daycare was also delivered a fluffy package.

(Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell