February, 2018 Principal's Message
In the January newsletter, I quoted L.R. Knost. She stated that: "It's not our job to toughen our children up to face a cruel and heartless world. It's our job to raise children who will make the world a little less cruel and heartless."
To me, L.R. Knost has articulated an important distinction. "It's our job to raise children who will make the world a little less cruel and heartless."
The school embarks on a variety of activities to support this philosophy. For several years, we have talked about our work with:
-Respect
-Restitution
-Kindness
-Altruistic ventures with Siloam Mission and Winnipeg Harvest.
The assembly on February 9th will focus on the Red Cross's campaign against Bullying with Pink Shirt Day. The children and staff who purchased a pink t-shirt will be encouraged to wear them on Friday, February 9th.
The Canadian Red Cross Pink Day in Manitoba and Nunavut will actually celebrate on February 28 and April 11, 2018.
Phoenix School is choosing to acknowledge Pink Shirt Day at the February 9th assembly. This is our special assembly for February and February 28th is the last day of I Love to Read Month. As a school, we are celebrating the last day of I Love to Read Month with pajama and stuffy day and reading with other students in the school. Consequently, we have decided to celebrate Pink Shirt Day at the February 9th assembly.
The Canadian Red Cross believes that every child should be treated with respect. As a national leader in violence, abuse and bullying prevention, the Red Cross works with students and educators across Manitoba and Canada. As part of its bullying prevention programming, the Canadian Red Cross leads the support of Pink Day in Manitoba and other provinces and territories for schools and workplaces.
"Pink Day started in 2007, when a grade nine student in Cambridge, Nova Scotia was bullied by classmates for wearing a pink shirt to school. Taking notice, two students named Travis Price and David Shepherd rallied their peers to send a message to the bullies. The next day, the halls were filled with students in pink t-shirts.
Red Cross Pink Shirt Day started because two boys chose to do something about bullying rather than stand by and watch it happen. Now the movement is worldwide, educating and inspiring others to stand together and take action against violence and bullying.
The Canadian Red Cross has been working to promote healthy relationships amongst individuals and schools since 1984. Phoenix School is also working to promote healthy relationships amongst individuals." (Red Cross Internet site quotes). The school greatly appreciates its partnership with the parent community in promoting the philosophy that: "It's our job to raise children who will make the world a little less cruel and heartless." Thank you.
