Students of Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) are showing their support for Ukraine.
On Tuesday (Mar. 1), students and staff in all of the schools were encouraged to wear blue and yellow to stand in solidarity with the European country.
"We know Ukrainian descendants reside and thrive throughout the rural and urban areas we serve. Many families and staff members in the division will be deeply affected by what they see taking place now. Our thoughts are with the people in Ukraine who fight for their sovereign nation, and everyone here who holds them close in their hearts," said EIPS in a statement.
The leadership team at Fort High decided to take the initiative one step further. Mary Newman's foods class asked if they could also make a Ukrainian lunch for everyone to bring the school together.
Wanting to encourage their passion and initiative, Newman approached school principal Curtis Starko with the idea. Since it was a last-minute request and would cost money, she wasn't sure if he would be on board, but he didn't hesitate.
"He was like 'Absolutely, we will find a way to pay for this. I think coming together is more important than ever,'" explained Newman.
On top of the lunch, they also ordered blue and yellow cupcakes to make a Ukrainian flag in the middle of the gym.
Then, during Newman's fourth-period leadership class, the students came up with the idea to collect donations to send to the Red Cross to help with humanitarian aid. The students made buttons for the occasion while Newman sent out an email to ask everyone to bring some change the following day.
"It literally came together in a few hours. What we tried to focus on at Fort High was not just solidarity with our students who are of Ukrainian families but we really just wanted to send a message that we need peace in the world."
Over 400 people were fed Tuesday afternoon in under 30 minutes. Traditional Ukrainian music played in the gym and junior high kids from Rudolph Hennig, who were visiting the school, also were able to participate.
"Small things can make big differences. To focus less on the divide of people, Ukraine versus Russia, and more on the focusing of coming to the aid and coming together to help people in need -- that's a challenging thing for anybody to wrap their head around but [especially] for kids to take such an active role in recognizing what's happening in the world," Newman said.
The school managed to raise just over $200, which the government will match dollar for dollar.
Newman concluded by saying she is very proud of the school and is happy to work somewhere that has such passionate kids and staff.