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" . WATERux) CHM . Wednesday, Noe 20. 2007 Flying the flag lying the flag has taken Fun a new meaning at Sir Edgar Bauer Catholic school, with a new pennant now sharing the honours with the Canadian Maple Leaf. And people in the neigh- bourhood are starting to take notice. On a simple white background with two hands clasped it shares a simple message - lend a hand, show you care. It's a message of support, and a symbol of the bully- free environment that the Waterloo school is trying to create. The flag is a design of Grade 8 student Nicole Ruthardt. who won a school-wide competition to send a message that would resonate with the student population and the wider community. Ruthardt, M, said she's had friends go through bul- lying during their formative years, although she's been fortunate to escape any bul- lying herself. And she's always been there for them to help them through that rough patch. This was her way to c0rr tinue to show that support. She wanted to show that there are people willing to stand up for someone else in trouble. "lt came from my friends' experiences." said Ruthardt. "l was there to help them out when they needed it and that son of thing. "I was there to help them out when they needed it... Idid this for them." -- Nicole Ruthanft Ann "sultyirtgJtag designer Be Boa VIIMNAC 'ird'i2ifL'i2','sit FF. t ' Chronicle Slag 5%; " "g 5 tr, ' L - (4/ s _-----------' , " " _ ring the flag has taken :' _ ' ' "tca0 ", t n a new meaning at gr: " ' "r-s, x "l tit Edgar Bauer 9 l ' 'P, lic school, with a new " N j t_ w l _ q ant now sharing the t L' N l Us with the Canadian " 'M. an _ I, L' . v q v Leaf. 'l PAP.] C . " , a . a d people in the neigh- " a g I GsitNl G ' l 100d are starting to C, ttlr' V notice. On a simple _ - ' background with two L' . . q, ' s clasped it shares a ' are I', le message - lend a U. Q a _ showyou care. p, "" 'LL'; a message of support, ' . ‘ symbol ofthe bully- " . t r'tl sr, t _ t -nv1ronmem that the " _ PYP, loo school is trying to 2; 'LM, ‘I , .’ L), n The flag is a design of t 'd V ; e 8 student Nicole sl 5 'O, ardt, who won a ' _ltrif.e.),en'f11i.t?oi/,' I 4‘ CT, i-bullying message resonates with school Child and youth worker Trish Hergott, left started a new awareness program to prevent bully- ing at Sir Edgar Bauer school in Waterloo. She stands with the winner of the flag competition. Nicole Ruthardt, whose winning design is drawing a lot of attention. " did this for them." Trish Hergon. a child and youth worker at the school, came up with the idea dur- ing a friendship week the school held in April to address the issues of bully- ing. New research shows that bullying behaviours don't only occur between the aggressor and the victim. There's a whole group of bystanders who either con- done the behaviour or encourage it. There is a move on to get the people on the sidelines to take responsibility and get involved when they see that typeof antisocial behaviour, "The whole message to the school was to respect yourself, and respect others and increase the peace," said “argon. who works with special-needs students who have had to deal with the issue of bullying from time to time. Hergott, whose mother Nancy Rather owns Al Flags LIFESTYLE lnc., knows how important a symbol a flag can be in set- ting a tone or inspiring a feeling. That's why she invit- ed the entire school to come up with a design, and got entries from K to the older kids in Grade 8. "We wanted them to design a flag that would have an important message for the community," said Hergott. "With the hands piling on each other, and it asking for us to lend a hand, I think that's something we all need to be doing - lend a hand and show we care." More importantly, it got the kids at the school think. ing about their own behav- iour and working to create a bully-hee zone at the school. The school had a special ceremony last week to raise the flag and it has been fly- ing over the school ever since The ftag has drawn some interesting looks from peo- ple in the surrounding com- ttid Ana's URGES! Solution munity, and is starting to foster a greater understand- ing with its simple message. " cant believe how many people are actually notic- ing," said Hergott. "But it's an important message. "It's a symbol that this is a bully-free zone, and that's what we hope to have here at Sir Edgar Bauer." For Ruthardt, she hopes the message continues even after she graduates and attends St, David Catholic secondary school in the fall. “I hope that people will actually follow that message and help people out in the yard," she said. " hope peo- ple will stand up for each other." Hergott thinks it's been such a positive experience, she's hoping the idea spreads to other schools. "That's something that I'd definitely like to see," she said. H'd like to talk to other principals and see if they are interested in it." lawman: The Eastbridge family hm day is set for June 24, ll am. to 3 pm. at Lester B. Pearson public school The day features live shows from the Bubbly lady. Captain Cam and a clown act. There will also be games includingan obstacle course for kids aged five to l2, and a toddler area. There will also be a bouncy giraffe castle, giant inflatable slide and mini trikes. Families can also take a ride in a tethered hot-air balloon with donations going to benefit the Chil- dren's Miracle Network and ENA. Other attractions include portraits from a profes sional photographer. cotton candy and popcorn. a display of local emergency vehicles. face painting, music, a barbecue, silent auction and other exhibi- tion tables. Admission is $10 per person for an all-day pass. to $25 for a family with three or more children. There is a toddler-area only pass for $5 and an obstacle course pass for $5 as well. To vohanteer/emaii voiunteers@eastbridge.info, or ca11519-884-2964. For more information, or to rem a vendor table email specialeventsgeastbridgejnfo, or call SIS- 7250993. The day is being put on by the Eastbridge Neigh bourhood in partnership with the City of Waterloo, A Vigil for Ecological Stewardship: A Catholic Per spective will be held Thursday night at St. Louis Roman Catholic Church starting at 7 pm. -. Timed to the summer solstiEe, mi, event features homilist Fr. Fred Scinto. speaker Fr. Sutherland Mac- Donald and narrator lauds Monique. _ Readings will be done by louise Ervin, former chair of the Waterloo Catholic District School Board. Waterloo Mayor Brenda Halloran, Roger Lawler. director for the catholic board, MPP John Milloy and local educator and ecologist David Wellhauser. There also will be performances from choirs from St. Louis church. St. Theresa of Avila church. St. Michael's church. St, Agnes church and Our lady of lourdes church. 7 It's free admission to the vigil and all are wel. come. St, Louis Church is located at 53 Allen Sr H, in uptown Waterloo. The Air Force Association at the 404 K-W Wing is holding a fundraiser called Breakfast. Brunch. Books and Sundry items this, Satyrday frqm tt am. to 3 pm The evint will be held at sh, Dutton In. Water Ion For more information call 519-884-1272 Eastbridge family fun day this Sunday Wing 404 fundraiser Vigil for Ecological Stewardship