The Red Cross Day of Pink was held on Wednesday, April 1. Manor School included a full day of activities including a pancake breakfast, a presentation to older grades by Tanya Reimer on building your online image, they did team building as a school, and older students led class activities for those in younger grades.
Reimer, a local author from Bellegarde, presented to youth about cyber-bullying and ensuring their online image isn't inappropriate and is safe. Ultimately she asked them to think about the post before doing it and how they would feel if someone posted something like that of them.
She covered netiquette, proper behaviour on the internet, and encouraged youth to take home what they learned to their parents to help educate them as well because everyone is still learning how to navigate the internet.
Her main lesson regarded how to act online was to see the internet as a public place; it is not private. They must respect others' rules and privacy, while presenting yourself in a positive light because a photo, video, or comment may be seen by potential employers. If something inappropriate is posted about someone or about you then you must let someone know and take the proper actions to have it removed.
She also explained that it is important to keep places device free to separate themselves from their online profile and encouraged them to interact socially with others outside of being online or using text messaging, Snapchat, Instagram, etc...
These students were then brought in groups to the computer lab where Reimer went through the students' online presence.
The younger classes focused specifically on bullying and what to do when they see it or how to stop before they say or do something that makes them a bully.
The day culminated with the entire school coming together for an assembly.
Earlier, in March, students had an assembly where they were told a portion of a story about a boy who every time he got angry had to pound a nail into the fence. Over the years he became less angry and no longer had to get his anger out through this means. The students were invited to come up and hammer a nail into a piece of fence.
As with the story, students then were asked to take out their nail. The story and actions showing that what we say or do leave scars and cannot be taken back without leaving a mark.
This section of fence will be put on display and the students were asked to think about it in times of difficulties.
Finally the entire school participated in a moral building activity. With a hula hoop draped over one student, they all stood in a circle holding hands and successfully passed the hula hoop around without breaking apart.
