For years, Grades 4 and 5 students at Hebbville Academy have taken it upon themselves to ‘help’ their fellow students through the Hebbville Academy Help Squad.
And now, those positive efforts are paying off.
The group of 25 volunteer students, led by Guidance Councillor Katrina Stringer, have been recognized by the province with the Nova Scotia Lieutenant Governor’s Respectful Citizenship Award.
The Hebbville Academy Help Squad is a group of students trained in mediation, conflict resolution and kindness; they spend time at recess outdoors helping other students and creating a positive atmosphere and improving the school climate.
“They get out there everyday and they help students who might be having some disputes or challenges and they just help them move through the solution process,” Stringer tells CKBW News.
In a world where bullying has really been brought to the forefront, Stringer says the Help Squad certainly helps to make difference in the anti-bullying movement.
The group was nominated by fellow teachers and they were surprised to hear they had won the award on the morning announcements, a real surprise for all involved.
“They were just so excited and after so many years of this program being in place at Hebbville Academy, it’s just wonderful having at recognized at the provincial level,” adds Stringer.
The Hebbville Academy Help Squad will receive their award during a ceremony in Halifax on Wednesday, May 9th, 2018.
