By Don Urquhart, Times Chronicle
The Osoyoos Elementary School (OES) community overcame vandalism with inclusivity and kindness as it symbolically repainted one of the rainbow crosswalk stripes in front of the school after it was vandalized.
OES Principal David Foster said the rainbow crosswalk was painted over with white paint by individuals on Sat. March 11 at 2 a.m. The perpetrators were caught on school surveillance cameras but because of the distance the images were not sharp enough to identify the persons involved.
Foster says the vandalism has been reported to Osoyoos RCMP and file has been opened on the case. A similar crosswalk at Osoyoos Secondary School was untouched.
Before and after – The Osoyoos Elementary School rainbow crosswalk was painted over using white spray paint.
The school didn’t immediately realize it was vandalism because a stencil had been used to exactly match the size of each rectangle which were then covered with white spray paint completely covering the rainbow colours.
“Initially people were asking what happened to our crosswalks and we thought maybe the painter was getting ready to redo it and was prepping the surface. It took us a bit to realize somebody had actually done it and that’s when we went to the cameras,” Foster told the Times Chronicle.
Once the realization of what happened sunk in, he said he shared the development with all the teachers who in-turn had conversations in the classroom about it.
During the assembly at the crosswalk on Friday Mar. 17 Foster explained that the rainbow crosswalk “represents kindness, acceptance, and belonging. It is saying to us that we see you and you are safe with us.”
When asked if anyone within the school community has felt unsafe because of the vandalism Foster said nothing has surfaced yet, “and I’m hoping it won’t surface.” He adds, “we are a safe and inclusive school.”
The Friday special assembly was the first opportunity to talk collectively as a school about it, he noted. Only one stripe was symbolically repainted as warmer weather is needed to paint the remainder properly.
Foster added that he feels disappointed and a little upset over the incident. “The people who did it obviously don’t share the same views or understanding of why it’s important to have this and be in an inclusive school and to support our kids no matter who they are.”
He adds that he wishes he had an opportunity to talk with the people who did it “to give them a better understanding of what’s going on here in the school.”
Focusing on the positives Foster says it’s about turning a negative into an opportunity for a teachable moment, “an opportunity for these kids to learn why we have this at the school.”
A student from the Diversity and Inclusive Group (DIG) takes their turn at painting.
Bev Young, Superintendent of Schools for School District No. 53 (Okanagan-Similkameen) told the Times Chronicle she was disappointed that some people took it upon themselves to change the crosswalk, but added, “I’m really excited that the school is embracing it is a learning opportunity for everybody.”
She also said that the school community coming out to repair it “sends a message that this is a visible symbol of who we are as a school community and as a school district to support acceptance and inclusivity”.
Foster also highlighted a key group at the school which focusses on celebrating diversity and inclusivity at school.
Led by OES teachers Richard Bayliss and Becky Campbell, the DIG, or Diversity and Inclusive Group, works to ensure everyone within the school community including LGBTQ+ feel included and safe within the school.
Also on hand for the assembly were Osoyoos Town Councillors Zach Poturica and Jim King.
Expressing his disappointment over the defacement Poturica said, “as a community we need to learn and grow from what’s taking place here and hopefully move forward in a positive manner.
“It’s great to see that there’s been some pretty quick action to replace what was vandalized and hopefully moving forward we can come together as a community to curve these kind of activities from taking place.”
King added that it was something that “shouldn’t have happened”. “It’s disturbing the kids and it’s not a very good sign for the kids, for the young students out here in our community.”
He said he was shocked that some people would destroy a crosswalk that’s in front of the elementary school, “it doesn’t make much sense.”
Osoyoos Elementary School Principal David Foster talking to the students about the meaning of the rainbow crosswalk.
Young added that: “I do know that not everybody supports it but again it’s about inclusivity and kindness and acceptance for all students, families, and people they know in their lives. And it’s important for us to reinforce that message, particularly as a learning organization, and we will just stand by our values.”
During the assembly Foster expressed his pride that “we at Osoyoos Elementary are an inclusive community that celebrates diversity no matter the person’s race, ethnicity, colour of skin, religion, ability, sexual orientation, and gender identity.”
“We do not discriminate. We are about acceptance and belonging, and we are all Nighthawks, whether students or staff, families or friends we share a kind supportive and inclusive school community.”
He reminded everyone that they have an obligation to uphold the the BC Human Rights Code where sexual orientation and gender identity are protected. The Ministry of Education, he added, has policies that support inclusive education.
He also said he’s proud of School District for the work being done with the new strategic plan and the focus on inclusivity,” which is part of District 53’s mission, vision, and values.
“And I’m proud of the work our school is doing, especially our DIG team who are allies for the LGBTQ+ families and students.”
The rainbow represents the LGBTQ+ community with the colours reflecting the diversity of the community and the spectrum of human sexuality and gender.
Bev Young, Superintendent of Schools for School District No. 53 (Okanagan-Similkameen) takes her turn at painting.
Students speak
The Times Chronicle asked six students from the school’s DIG what they would say to the people who vandalized the sidewalk if they had the chance. Here are their responses:
“I would say, ‘how do you feel to be, let’s just say gay or lesbian, and people were to hate you just because you love or are someone that is different? Think before you act.'” – Wyatt
“I would say imagine if the roles had been switched. They don’t like that we’re showing pride and everything but what if they were hated on for not liking pride how would they feel in that situation? We believe in this, and you can believe in your own things, just don’t disrespect or disrupt our beliefs.” – Lily-Anna
“If you don’t like the idea of LGBTQ and just paint over our sidewalk, if you want to hate maybe just hate in silence, don’t express it by painting over a crosswalk. Just keep it inside.” – Maya
“Imagine if the roles were reversed. You painted over our sidewalk and we’re painting over it again, so how you were feeling about us painting over what you did is how we felt when you did that.” – Alexis
“I wouldn’t want to say something to them I would want to ask them a question: why? What happened to you that made you want to ruin somebody else’s happiness?” – Sammy
“It’s important for people that really don’t like it, to figure out their own beliefs, but it’s not okay to crush others’ beliefs.” – Elena
