Matt Shudra, Principal at Clover Bar Junior High, stands beside the school's Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week display: "Be the 'I' in Nice"

Sherwood Park, AB. —Staff and students throughout Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) are planning a variety of activities to promote kindness and healthy relationships in honour of this year’s Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week. Schools are celebrating the week from November 18-22.

Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week is an annual event celebrated in schools provincewide to boost awareness among students, staff, families and community members about bullying and how to prevent incidents of it in schools. Within EIPS, students and staff are spending the week learning strategies to foster healthy relationships, discourage intolerances and communicate through conflict.

“As a Division, we are committed to ensuring every student feels safe and welcome, and can learn in an environment that’s accepting and respectful,” says Cathy Allen, the Board Chair of EIPS. “Students at schools throughout Elk Island Public Schools always lead with kindness and actively seek opportunities throughout the year to show their classmates everyone has a place within our schools.”

Throughout the week, various activities are planned at schools divisionwide—including morning announcements, presentations, lesson plans, art projects, read alouds and activities—themed around healthy relationships, empathy building, conflict-resolution, inclusion, deeds of kindness, cyberbullying and much more. Many schools are also celebrating Odd Socks Day to highlight how every person is unique.

“Learning begins with feeling cared for and welcomed,” says Marcus Reed, Director of Early Learning and Specialized Supports at EIPS. “Our commitment as a division is to nurture positive, inclusive spaces where every student feels secure and is equipped to stand confidently against discrimination and bullying.”

All EIPS schools have ongoing projects and initiatives in place focused on building healthy relationships, such as the Seven Sacred Grandfather Teachings, Random Acts of Kindness, Bucket Fillers, Leader in Me and various community-service programs.

In addition to individual school activities, EIPS schools, staff and students are encouraged to show their support for Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week by posting positive, inclusive and respectful messages on various social media platforms using the hashtags #EIPSBAPW, #BullyingAwarenessWeek and #WhereToTurn.

Elk Island Public Schools is one of Alberta’s largest school divisions, serving approximately 17,950 students in 42 schools. We are proud to be an integral part of our communities, including Sherwood Park, Fort Saskatchewan, Vegreville, Strathcona and Lamont counties, and the western portion of the County of Minburn.

RELATED INFORMATION:
Bullying – Find Supports
Bullying Awareness Week
Odd Socks Day

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For more information, media can contact:
Laura McNabb, Director, Communication Services, EIPS 780-417-8204 cell 780-405-4902