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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, November 30, 2012 · 18 T.A. Blakelock students stand up to bullying with week of events By Twoey Gray Grade 12, T.A. Blakelock H.S. T he week of Nov. 19 was AntiBullying Week at T.A. Blakelock High School. The initiative, prepared by Blakelock's Safe Schools Action Team, was created to help foster a stronger sense of community within the school. Students and staff involved with the group spent the week hosting inclusive, thought-provoking activities, wearing shirts with the over-arching message of the event -- Walk in Someone Else's Shoes: Stand Up to Bullying. The week began with a Positivity Wall in the cafeteria. Notes and markers were handy for students to anonymously write positive messages to their peers, which were then displayed. By the end of the week, the brightly-coloured posters were filled with compliments that would make anyone blush, such as "Shazia is gorgeous and has no idea;" "Everyone wishes they could be like Maria;" or "Matt is naturally genuine and friendly." Other groups at school partnered with Safe Schools Action Team to further spread the message. Throughout the week, Ms. Bovey's Grade 11 leadership class gave presentations to Grade 9 students on the impacts of bullying and how they can stand up to hate. During the daily announcements, students read quotes on empathy and caring. On Tuesday, at Blakelock's Breakfast Club, students spun a wheel and answered questions testing their knowledge of bullying prevention to win prizes. The following morning, the breakfast program hosted a free school-wide pancake breakfast in the spirit of friendship. Lunches on Wednesday were devoted to an activity called Rachel's Challenge. Rachel Scott was one of the victims of the 1999 Columbine massacre. When her parents were cleaning out her room after her death, they discovered the outline of her hands traced on the wall behind her dresser. Inside the hands was the message "these hands belong to Rachel Jay Scott and will one day touch millions of hearts." Rolls of paper in the cafeteria were filled with hundreds of traced handprints of Blakelock students. Inside, students were encouraged to write their own personal pledge of how they will touch the hearts of others. The week culminated with a visit from acclaimed speaker Spencer West, organized by the YMCA of Oakville. The engaging school-wide presentation, documented by Cogeco Local TV, was equally humorous and inspiring. Since losing his legs at the age of five, West recounted his journey through overcoming stereotyping and bullying that ultimately set him on the path towards social justice. In 2008, an international volunteer trip to Kenya got him involved in the fight against poverty, and he is now a motivational speaker for Free the Children's Me to We. West recently climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, raising more than $500,000 for a clean water program in Kenya and proving to the world disability is not always a disadvantage. His presentation was undeniably the highlight of the week, and generated a tangible buzz through the school. After the presentation, students rushed into the cafeteria to meet him and check out booths for local volunteer opportunities. The warm reception and fantastic participation among students allowed this year's Anti-Bullying Week to be a success. Though it may be difficult to top this year's performance, we hope to run an even better event next year. Meanwhile, we look forward to the positive repercussions of this year's efforts. Factory Trained Service Tech & Electronic Fireplace Specialists GAS FIREPLACE REPAIR Solving Problems Since `82! Cut and Save! We Service: CFM, DRU, GSW, Hunter, Insta-Flame, Valor, Napoleon, Regency, Majestic, HeatN-Glo, Heatilator, Selkrik, GTI, Dovre, Pacific Energy, Town & Country, Security, HearthStone, Montigo, Lennox, Temco, Kingsman, Polaris, Heritage, Drolet, Continental, Vermount Casting, Osburn & many other brands. You never know when you will need us! 905-845-0701 @gasfix.ca SHOE DOCTOR Custom Orthotics By Registered Chiropodist Covered By Most Insurance Plans · Designer shoe and purse repair · Luggage repair · Custom shoes made to measure OAKVILLE 905-842-0715 IN PLACE MALL 240 Leighland Ave, Oakville www.shoedoctors.ca