鈥淎ctivate鈥� is defined as: 1. to set in motion; make active or more active. 2. To organize or create. This term can refer to activating personal well-being both emotionally or physically. That is why it is being 鈥渁ctivated鈥� at Unity Composite High School.
The positive school climate committee, (PSCC) and the students at UCHS decided to not just talk the talk, but to walk the walk. In 2015, they set forth on a plan that was to empower students to make an impact at their high school with a newly created campaign under the title of 鈥淎CTIVATE.鈥� They created a twitter handle @UCHSActivate and began tweeting positive posts and for the past two years have hosted multiple posts. They included every student and staff member at UCHS in the 鈥�12 compliments of Christmas.鈥�
2015 Grade 12 student, Megan Babchuk, created an ACTIVATE logo that was printed on shirts and used exclusively for ACTIVATE promotions. This year, Keira Vliestra created 鈥淎nnie Activate,鈥� a character that represented the activator, or those students who take on the role of promoting the ACTIVATE campaign.
The PSCC/ ACTIVATE committee set the bar high this year as they decided after a year of promoting this initiative at their school they wanted to encourage other students and other schools to come on board, creating an ACTIVATE contest.
After the success and momentum of the 2015 鈥淒ay of Activation鈥� students were optimistic this movement could catch on with their promotion and encouragement. As in last year鈥檚 goals, the committee wanted to continue to find fun and interactive ways to get staff and students involved. The group has hosted 鈥淗ey dude, include!鈥� and 鈥減ost positive.鈥� This year, the group held a 鈥渟creamfest,鈥� urging students to scream out their frustrations that were measured on a decibel reader, with the winning team earning ice cream sundaes on their lunch break.
The 鈥淒ay of Activation鈥� held at UCHS in April of 2015 had students from each grade presenting to their peers the projects they took on to encourage the student body to embody the messages they were presenting. Students volunteered to become 鈥渁ctivators鈥� to lead the charge in creating and implementing signature ACTIVATE projects.
Leaders in the ACTIVATE campaign have noticed the change in the atmosphere at UCHS as more ground is gained in followers and participants. They are finding the level of engagement seems to increase each week as another step in the campaign takes place.
聽Students, staff, parents and friends of UCHS are encouraged to log onto the UCHS website to find news and updates on the campaign or follow them on Twitter @UCHS Activate.
PSCC/ACTIVATE members are confident students will earn the attention they desire for this campaign, as they believe the foundation created from their inaugural year of ACTIVATE will easily transition into the province-wide contest this committee has created.
Media sources in West Central Saskatchewan have been made aware of the campaign with hopes they can help deliver the message UCHS students want other schools to join them in their ACTIVATE initiative.
Their promotional material carries this invitation: 鈥淎ctivate positive behaviours and choices! We would like you to join UCHS in our journey to create positive school environments. The possibilities are endless and so are your ideas. Create an essay, poem, bookmark, slogan, picture, video or play and activate your creativity. Striving to promote kindness and inclusion. Deadline for entries is March 14 with Day of Activation set for April 20, where your entries will be judged by a VIP judging panel.鈥�
Their motive is simple but the message is clear. UCHS wants to set the pace for students to empower each other to become more responsible and respectful citizens with their ACTIVATE campaign and are looking to other schools to help get on board.
