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Media Release: Ryley School Brings BRSD Vision to Life with All-Student Production of The Nutcracker

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Ryley School, a vibrant Grades 1-9 school within Battle River School Division (BRSD), has exemplified BRSD’s vision of Every Student, Every Day, a Success, by hosting an extraordinary all-student production of The Nutcracker on December 12, 2024. This achievement, shared at the BRSD Board of Trustees regular meeting on January 23, 2025, reflects the school’s creativity, collaboration, and commitment to student engagement.

Every student in the school had a role to play—whether performing on stage, working behind the scenes, or contributing to the elaborate set and costumes. The production was a true community effort, with all props and costumes created by students and staff. Even the intricate cheese props for the famous Mouse King scene were produced using the school’s own 3D printer, showcasing the innovative use of technology in education.

The production’s success was guided by teacher Karen Arychuk, who accesses the Grades 6-9 student voices each year to choose the school’s annual play. This year, the students selected The Nutcracker with great enthusiasm, as many had fond memories of participating in the same production while attending kindergarten. This thoughtful choice created a meaningful and nostalgic connection for the entire school community.

Adding to the magic, Grade 4 and 5 students learned to play the ukulele, performing two musical pieces during the show. Students’ dedication and musical talents enriched the performance, bringing an additional layer of excitement to the event.

Local dance teacher and owner of Niko’s Dance Team, Niki Hofer, worked closely with the school’s dance students, generously lending expertise to incorporate Ukrainian dance costumes and beautifully choreographed dance scenes into the play. This partnership highlighted the incredible talents within the community and added a professional flair to the production.

Ryley School’s small but mighty team has once again proven that size is no barrier to achieving big dreams. By involving every student, fostering creativity, and building meaningful connections, Ryley School brought the community together to celebrate the arts and the talents of its students.

During the students’ presentation to the Board, the five Ryley students each paid tribute to the support they received—from each staff member as well as their dance teacher—to showcase their talents. BRSD Trustees noted the incredible opportunity this production provided for students to grow, build confidence, and develop skills in areas like performing arts, technology, and teamwork. They commended the Ryley School team for fostering a culture of inclusion, creativity, and excellence that truly reflects BRSD's vision of Every Student, Every Day, a Success.

“This project truly embodies what it means to ensure every student finds success every day,” said Maria Schaade, Ryley School principal. “The joy, creativity, and hard work displayed by our students and staff demonstrates the power of collaboration and the importance of providing diverse opportunities for our students to shine at school and beyond into the community.”

BRSD congratulates Ryley School on this remarkable achievement and applauds the efforts of students, staff, and community partners who brought The Nutcracker to life.

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