Principal Barton Tumlinson was known for making students feel connected at Oliver Elementary School. Here, he greets pupils at the front entrance. File photo by Lyonel Doherty
Staff from Oliver Elementary School will try to show parents a little “razzle dazzle” on the ice during a fundraiser this Friday at the arena.
The puck will drop at 5:30 p.m. to kick off the Barton Tumlinson Memorial Hockey Game in order to raise money for the Tumlinson family, including a memorial bench at the school.
The beloved principal of Oliver Elementary died from a sudden illness on January 23. Since then people have been trying to raise money for his wife and two children.
Recreational hockey player Jeff Crowley approached vice-principal Karen Sinclair about organizing a community hockey game to raise some awareness.
“I felt like I wanted to get involved . . . I was one of the last people to talk to Barton (before he died), and my kids go to the school.”
Crowley said school staff will take on parents in a friendly game. He is hoping a lot of people from the community will come out and support the event and cheer on the players.
Crowley noted the event will start with a nine-year-old girl singing the national anthem.
There will also be prizes, a 50-50 draw, and a “duck throw” event. And wait and see what happens every time a goal is scored.
“The more people who come out and support it, the better, ” Crowley said.
He is hoping they can raise enough money to install a bench in memory of Tumlinson and his contributions to the school.
Tumlinson, known as the high-fiving principal, made his students feel on top of the world every day. He made them feel like they truly belonged.
