Sault Ste. Marie – On Thursday October 21st, Jill Officer, three-time Canadian Curling Champion and 2008 World Champion will visit East View Public School’s Grade 1&2 classroom and participate, as an RBC Olympian, in the Al’s Pals Program.



Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), through the RBC Foundation, has over the past 2 years contributed $30,000 to Algoma Family Services thru its Foundation for a program called “Al’s Pals” that creatively uses puppetry, music and role playing to support the development of social, emotional and behavioural skills in children aged 3 to 8. Studies have shown that early interventions of this type significantly promote strong mental health in children.



To date, Algoma Family Services has coordinated the training of 64 teachers, principals and counsellors representing 25 schools from both the Algoma District School Board and the Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board in communities across Algoma.



The evaluation of the implementation of the Al’s Pals Program in district schools over this past year has shown amazing results. Sue Geller, President of Wingspan who developed the Al’s Pals Program shared the following - “The research analysis of the Al’s Pals data from your area exceeded our typical findings. The children not only increased in pro-social skills, they also decreased in aggression and antisocial behaviour. Generally we find that Al’s Pals children neither increase nor decrease in aggression. It is wonderful to see these results where the children displayed significantly less aggression. I am delighted with the excellent results. I know that part of it is due to the leadership and support that has been given by both School Board’s Administration and Algoma Family Services to promote Al’s Pals and its implementation fidelity. We look forward to continuing to partner with you to reach more children in Canada.”

While at East View Public School, Jill will also have the opportunity to address the senior grades at an assembly where she will share her experiences as an Olympic athlete.