In honour of Titus the bear

INNISFAIL - Throughout the school year students at St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Catholic School are recognized for their positive attitude, achievements, good behaviour and various contributions.

They are recognized through the B.E.A.R.S. Awards, presented to students each month. Titus the bear is the school's mascot and B.E.A.R.S. is also an acronym for the attributes students demonstrate in their everyday school lives.

B.EA.R.S. stands for striving to make our community a BETTER place, ENCOURAGE themselves and others, are caring and charitable in their ACTIONS, are RESPECTFUL and RESPONSIBLE and seek positive SOLUTIONS.

“We do B.E.A.R.S. Awards once a month. It's not solely to recognize students' academic achievements but it's also to recognize the good things that they do,” said Adam Sia, vice-principal at St. Marguerite. “Such as their talents and their skills. We also do the seven sacred teachings from the First Nation, Metis and Inuit (FNMI) population as well.”

The seven sacred teachings, noted Sia, include love, respect, honesty, truth, courage, humility and wisdom.

The B.E.A.R.S. Awards event is open to the public every month and all are welcome to attend, he said, noting students and staff gather in the school gymnasium for the awards ceremony.

“Every week we also recognize students for one of the sacred teachings,” he added. “We bring it all together during the B.E.A.R.S. Awards ceremony.”

Sia said the B.E.A.R.S. Awards program has been a part of the school for almost 13 years. It is open to all students from pre-kindergarten to Grade 9.

It is something that students strive for and look forward to achieving.

“No one knows (who the recipients are) until the day of the event. The B.E.A.R.S. Awards (also known as Titus awards after the school's mascot) are a big deal. Kids really honour that,” said Sia.

“It's recognizing not only what they do academically, but it's also recognizing the other little things they do that make this school a better place to be.”