By Sam Donnelly
For Ponoka News
As Pink Shirt day comes around once again on Feb. 23 this year, schools and organizations across Ponoka are doing their part to stand up to bullying. Here is a brief look at some of the programs and activities that were done around Ponoka to mark the day:
Ponoka Elementary
Students from Ponoka Elementary celebrated Pink Shirt day in a socially distant manner this year. Nathan McEntee, principal of Ponoka Elementary said that they would do Pink Shirt Day activities in their classrooms.
According to McEntee, students created mottos about compassion and standing up to bullies.
“It’s something we work for on a daily basis,” said McEntee.
Students were also invited to paint their own pink shirts. Teachers also took the time to have classroom discussions on how bullying works and what to do if you or someone they know is being bullied.
The BRICK Learning Centre
Rather than one day of anti-bullying activities, the BRICK Learning Centre is held a “Respect and Kindness” week from Feb. 14 to 18, with each day focusing on different activities.
On Monday, they offered words of encouragement during announcements and candy bags for the students. They also gave the students the opportunity to write words of encouragement to each other. This included a valentine-making booth for those who wanted to send one.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, the students were invited to a “Choose Love” presentation.
According to Ian Tisdale, principal of Brick Learning Centre, the purpose of the presentation was to teach emotional learning while focusing on ideas of courage, gratitude, forgiveness and compassion.
On Thursday, the students were asked to wear pink shirts in celebration of the day. Friday saw the students do a film study on “A Silent Voice” and “Edward Scissorhands.”
Tisdale said this gave the students the opportunity to study film while instilling the ideas they’ve worked on during the last week.
Ponoka Youth Centre
To celebrate Pink Shirt Day, the Ponoka Youth Centre is selling its very own pink shirts. The shirts were designed by one of the club’s members and cost $10 ech to those that want to stop by the Youth Centre.
Staff at Ponoka Youth Centre wore pink shirts every Wednesday in February to support Pink Shirt Day.
The Youth Centre also created activities for the children on Pink Shirt Day. According to program director, Mollie Farley, the program will focus on handling bullying.
“Taking a stand against bullying is all the time, not just one day,” said Farley.