St. Edward Catholic School in Westport, makes an Impact on Pink Shirt Day – And Every Day!

Students and staff showing their support for Pink Shirt Day at St Edward Catholic School. Principal Scott Renaud, back row center. Photo Credit Tanya Hammond

St. Edward Catholic School in Westport, though small in student numbers with only ninety students, is big in school spirit, sports enthusiasm and heart.

This past Wednesday, Feb. 25, on Pink Shirt Day, a day designated to raise awareness and funds in support of anti-bullying programs “to create a kinder, more inclusive world,” the students and staff at St. Edward hosted their monthly Umbrella Awards ceremony. The awards include one or two students from each class who best represent the theme of the month, selected by their teacher for their actions and character.

Last month, the theme was Respect, and next month it will be Responsibility; however, in February, it was Grit. In the school auditorium, guests and students gathered to celebrate the students who their teachers recognized as “those who have shown perseverance, courage, and determination even when things felt challenging.” Principal Scott Renaud continued to express how very proud he and all of the staff are of the strength of character these students continue to model for everyone at the school.

One by one, the following students were called up to the front of the assembly to receive a certificate while their teachers gave shining praise about the students’ character:

Kindergarten – Wyatt Harris and Peyton Bovey

Grade 1 – Owen McNichols

Grade 2/3 – Rylan Mills

Grade 4/5 – Olivia Palmer and Maci Dawson

Grade 6/7/8 – Kaden Gardhouse and Ethan Guanzon

The awards provide a chance for kids to be acknowledged for their behaviour, actions, and interactions with their peers and teachers. Kids, staff, parents, and grandparents are understandably proud; however, no one is prouder than Principal Renaud, who can’t say enough positive things about everyone connected to the small country school.

After starting as Principal at St. Edward this September, Mr. Renaud says he has been blown away by how supportive the community has been with fundraising efforts, donations, involvement, and showing up in so many ways. For example, Mr. Renaud noted the strong show of support the school received at its Welcome Back BBQ in September, when he first arrived. The proud Principal also gratefully described how several local organizations and businesses help ensure the school’s breakfast program has ample food available for students each and every day.

Mr. Renaud himself also contributes to the positive and inclusive atmosphere at the school, having initiated a new E-Sports program that allows students to participate in team sports using the Nintendo Switch and compete in games such as Minecraft, Mario Kart and Smash Bros. The program, he says, provides kids with differing interests the opportunity to represent the school and compete in a team sport of their choice, while interacting with teammates. Principal Renaud says he and the students are excited about the upcoming Eastern Ontario E-Sport Championship taking place at the Smiths Falls Legion on April 20.

Keeping the enthusiasm going through sports events, Mr. Renaud has collaborated with Principal Nancy Holman and the students at Rideau Vista on shared soccer and volleyball events, helping strengthen the sense of community between the two schools.

A dedicated Educational Assistant (EA), Gord Casselman, has also been going above and beyond by organizing an intramural hockey league within the school with five teams in total, and a reward of the “Stanley Cup” at the end of the season.

Grade 4/5 Teacher, Mrs. Deeves, has also been committed to engaging students in sports-related learning, encouraging her students to track the recent Olympic Games and post updates on a bulletin board centrally located for all students and staff to see. Mrs. Deeves also took time at the end of the recent Umbrella Awards ceremony to remind everyone of the upcoming fundraiser, the PJ Walk for Ronald McDonald House, a home away from home for families of patients at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO).

Exemplifying the caring nature of the school staff, who are more like family than colleagues, after Mrs. Deeves’ announcement, Teacher Mrs. Angela Pierman spoke up, sharing a personal, emotional story about Ronald McDonald House and committing on the spot to donate $300 to kick off the worthy fundraiser.

With teachers and staff members like those at St. Edward Catholic School, kids and parents can take comfort in knowing that everyone is striving to make a difference on Pink Shirt Day and every day!