Schools across Campbell River will be joining with the RCMP once again this year to pick-up an anti-bullying program that was piloted in the community last year.
Just prior to the end of the 2012 school year, teacher Adria Glessn, parent Terri Cox, students Ben Lowe, Haley Wingert, Dean Ciarniello and Holly Crosby met with principal Joanne Crawford, Const. Krista Wallis, singer/songwriter Keisja Cox from Courtenay and artist Jill Banting to discuss bullying.
Banting gathered ideas and inspirations and what emerged was WITS – Walk Away, Ignore, Talk it out, and Seek help. From this, she created an image which visually shows what WITS represents.
Taylor Kare, a now-graduated Timberline media student, filmed the meeting, which can be viewed on YouTube at youtu.be/T1zEMZfXgE0
WITS is a program that brings together schools, families and communities to help children deal with bullying, peer victimization and to encourage parents to respond to children’s requests for help.
WITS teaches youth how to deal with everyday situations and is proven to be very effective.
For more information or to get involved with the WITS Program, visit: www.witsprogram.ca
Get involved
Can you think of a time when you could have used WITS to solve a problem?
Banting’s artwork was created or inspired by people who know what it means to use their WITS.
Now WITS would like to hear from you through a brand-new colouring contest.
Simply include your name, address and telephone number with an attached coloured representation of your WITS image and submit entries in person to Walmart by Wednesday, Oct. 3.
A drop off box will be located at the Courtesy Desk.
Three winners will be pulled from a random draw for a chance to win a $50 gift certificate from Campbell River’s Walmart.