Wellington Heights Secondary School will soon resolve an issue related to flying flags on their property.
A complaint was made when the school flew the Gay Pride flag during their social equity week a few months ago, stating no flag should fly on the same pole as Canada's.
Principal Jennifer Meeker says while that isn't in fact a law, it's flag etiquette, so she decided to try and get a separate flag pole for the school.
"That's what we've been doing, and actually it's in the process currently," she says. "All the approvals have been made, and I've put aside money from the budget to have this happen, and it's going to happen, it just hasn't yet. It's in the works."
Meeker says the students at the school have done a great job fostering an accepting environment, and it was important to try and find a meaningful solution to show the school and school board feel the same way.
"My tag line is 'This Is A Small School With A Huge Heart,' and it's what the school is all about. Relay for Life, Me to We, this social equity week we do, and that's just this year," she says.
The annual Warm Winter Wishes program is a big deal to the students as well, where a Christmas campaign runs at the school to give back to the less fortunate in the community.
Meeker says the student response to the school being such an accepting place has been great to see.
"The student that actually broke this story was in my office recently, and she said 'I feel very comforted by the fact that there's this support in the school,'" says Meeker. "That's very evident, and it's accepting of all students, all abilities, all genders."
Meeker says it's amazing to see students taking a leadership role in caring about social issues like gay rights, and the kids do an excellent job fostering a safe and healthy school environment.
