Pride Month 2023: EIPS Students and Staff Celebrate Diversity and Inclusion

Flower art and LGBTQ2S+ flags displayed on SouthPointe School’s Pride bulletin board.

Sherwood Park, AB. — This June, schools throughout Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) are celebrating Pride Month. Organized annually, it’s an opportunity for students and staff to celebrate diversity and inclusion, and at the same time learn about the achievements, history and contributions of LGBTQ2S+ individuals and groups.

“Each student and staff member has their own unique identity,” says Trina Boymook, the Board Chair of EIPS. “This is the same for schools, communities and the Division as a whole. Celebrating what’s different about each of us only brings us closer together in understanding, respect and inclusion. Positive learning and working environments allow everyone to grow and become who they want to be—that’s why building and maintaining these spaces remains one of the top priorities for the Division.”

Throughout EIPS, various activities are planned for Pride Month 2023—all aimed at celebrating the Division's diverse community and making EIPS a welcoming, inclusive, respectful and safe place. Some of the activities include:

Davidson Creek Elementary: Davidson Creek Elementary students will dress up for their Rainbow Colours Day and decorate the school for Pride Month. The school will also fly the Pride flag in its atrium and make informational posters to display around the building. Students will listen to Indigiqueer music on their daily announcements throughout the month.
Fort Saskatchewan High: The school will feature a Pride bulletin board with information, facts and famous LGBTQ2S+ people. There’ll also be a Lunch and Learn with a special guest from the University of Alberta’s Fyrefly, a bake sale and a Pride parade. Nail painting is another fun activity scheduled. Additionally, there are many Fort Saskatchewan High students who will lead or participate in the community events for Fort Saskatchewan’s Pride Week.
Glen Allan Elementary and Lamont Elementary: Students at Glen Allan Elementary and Lamont Elementary will share times they felt like they didn’t fit in, create a definition for self-acceptance, and read and discuss “My Shadow is Purple” by Scott Stuart. Students will design their own shadows using a template or by tracing shadows outside with chalk and filling them in with all the things they love to do.
SouthPointe School: Students will learn about different famous people in the LGBTQ2S+ community through informative videos, read alouds and biographies. The school will display a Pride bulletin board and organize rainbow art activities for the whole school to do.
Vegreville Composite High: The school will celebrate a Rainbow Tie Dye Day. Vegreville Composite High’s Pride activities will also include teacher resource packages, daily announcements with trivia and questions, and the hanging of the Pride flag.
Wes Hosford Elementary: Wes Hosford Elementary students will celebrate Rainbow Colours Day, where each grade will wear one colour and kindergarten students will dress up in rainbow colours. Other activities include digital read alouds, in-class discussions, and outdoor chalk art and Pride decorations with positive messages.
Win Ferguson Elementary: Win Ferguson Elementary students and staff will wear rainbow colours for their Rainbow Day. The school’s librarian will create a booklist about inclusion and students will get a chance to make sidewalk art about love.

Pride weeks in several communities will take place on the following dates:

Fort Saskatchewan: June 9-16
Strathcona County: June 23-30
Vegreville: June 11-17

Elk Island Public Schools is one of Alberta’s largest school divisions, serving approximately 17,460 students in 43 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.

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