Our whole school met this afternoon in the gym for an assembly on respect and recognition. In previous years, we waited until June to recognize everyone for their contributions to Cleveland School. This year, the Cleveland staff decided to try and provide more timely recognition for students who have already made contributions to our school culture. We did not have the opportunity to recognize everyone, but we did take the time to recognize some groups. Lauren and Dylan were excellent MC’s, and we really appreciated how they modeled respect, and how they ran a smooth assembly.

Mme Gordon’s class showed us what respect looks like in a class, as well as doing a small dance (well done Barbara).

Mme Zwart!s class presented a series of skits about respect.

Ms. McIntyre’s class had two students talk about the Spread the Word to Stop the Word campaign. Fanny and Sera reminded us all to stop using hurtful words and to help make Cleveland a better place by making better choices with our words. These two grade 5 girls gave me permission to reprint their speech here (the colours were on their speech, so I included them here). Thanks girls.

“Here at Cleveland, respect is very important. It is what makes Cleveland a better place to be.

So why do we litter? Why do we use bad language? Why do people constantly get picked on and bullied at recess? And especially, why do we use the R-word?

The R-word is known as retard. This word was used to describe people with intellectual disabilities. Today, the definition of the R-word is known as stupid.

We know for a fact that people with intellectual disabilities are not stupid. They just have more challenges in life and it’s not right to insult them.

If you use the R-word, you are not just insulting the 7,000,000 people with intellectual disabilities but also the friends and families supporting them.

This word is considered a hurtful insult, but together we can change the R-word to respect, which is what our main topic is today.

If everyone tried not to use the R-word, it would make an out of this world difference!!

THANK YOU”

~ by Fanny and Sera, grade 5.

The video, Spread the Word to Stop the Word, was made by students at Argyle Secondary School in North Vancouver.  Ms. McIntyre has made it available on her class web site, in the Interesting Videos section.

Today, we were able to recognize the cross country team, the basketball teams, the lunch monitors, and the safety patrol members. We also recognized our community and parent coaches.

Thank you students for helping show respect in the classes, in our hallways, and on our playgrounds. Together, we can make this a wonderful school for all.

Take care.