Final day of flag raising at PCI honours and welcomes all nationalities to Portage

Monday was the third of three school days when international flags were flown at Portage Collegiate Institute representing all the nationalities throughout the Portage School Division. 

PCI Principal Lawrence McKenzie says Monday marked 30 flags hoisted.

"We've had great turnout each day and it was nice seeing all the students and their families participate and raise the flags. It's just a great way to end off our school year. We've had lots of phone calls about it, about some questions asking why we're raising the flags. We've been talking about it here at school, the reasonings behind it, and because this is a division activity, it involves students from schools across the division, just not PCI."

He notes it was great to see the smiling faces when their flags were raised. 

"Afterwards, they stood underneath the flagpole and took photos. Just seeing that pride in their faces as we're recognizing the importance of their culture and the contributions that they're making to our schools and our community."

Monday's guest principal was Doyle Moar of Crescentview School. 

"In his speech, he spoke that he is Métis on his father's side and Ukrainian on his mother's side. It was nice for him to share that, and how those two cultures have played an impact in in his life, and about the importance of culture in his school. We need to be recognizing the great things that the diverse cultures bring to our schools."

The event was organized by English as an Additional Language Consultant Kendra McKenzie. McKenzie notes she works with all the newcomer families and students joining the School Division. 

Grade 10 student Karina McMillan says it's great to see the flags in the school yard.

"It's like an inclusive opportunity and it makes new students, or students who have been going to this school, welcomed and a little bit more like we're just one big community."

Karina McMillan

McMillan adds she heard about the event at PortageOnline and wasn't able to attend due to exams. She says she has friends from Saudi Arabia and India whom she always tries to make feel at home. 

"First days are really hard," says McMillan. "I remember my first day here. So, it's all about doing anything to make new students feel welcome, even if they're from here or if they're not."