Lots more photos in this week's Lakeland This Week. On shelves across the Lakeland now!
LAKELAND - Staff and students across the Lakeland are participating in Pink Shirt Day on Feb. 24, working to raise awareness about bullying. The day also provides an opportunity to educate students on some anti-bullying strategies that can be incorporated into their day-to-day lives.
Normally on Pink Shirt Day, schools would have a large assembly and activities for the students to really drive home the anti-bullying message. This year, however, events will look a little different because of COVID-19.
Keith White, the student advocacy counsellor at Vera M. Welsh Elementary School in Lac La Biche, says the school won't be able to have an assembly, but there will be other tools used to educate the students.
“We are planning on doing a virtual assembly where I will do some kind of a presentation that I’ve recorded, and they can play it in their classes,” said White. The virtual recording will focus on teaching students about traits like empathy, social awareness, and self-awareness - all qualities that are needed when it comes to preventing bullying.
White says staff work to reinforce what is known as S.T.A.R. in their school - Stop, Think, Act, Right. This helps the students take a moment before they might act in a way that is harmful to others.
“If you go through those steps, you stop and think about what you are doing, and then you have a moment to reflect on if that behaviour is bullying,” said White.
Light of Christ Catholic School staff members have asked dignitaries within the community to put together videos that share an anti-bullying message.
Amanda Wildman, dual-credit coordinator for Lakeland Catholic School District, says the students are excited to see which people within the community will be submitting a video, as it has been kept as a surprise. There will also be stories shared about love and acceptance, so students can understand how important it is to spread positivity to the people around them.
At École Notre Dame Elementary School in Bonnyville, students will be watching an educational video along with taking an anti-bullying pledge. Taking the pledge means students promise to not be a bully, but always lead with compassion. They will also pledge to stand up to any bullying they see.
