Schools from throughout the South East Cornerstone School Division paid tribute to the Humboldt Broncos hockey team beginning Monday, April 9.
The school division's website stated: “Students and staff are encouraged to wear either a jersey of their choice or the colour green (Monday) and in the days ahead as a show of support and unity for the Broncos, their families and all affected.”
“We'll have our flag at half-mast until the last service is concluded,” says Principal Shelly Campbell of Stoughton Central School, when asked about her school's response to the tragedy. “Everyone is wearing green - staff and students.”
“On behalf of Stoughton Central School, our thoughts and prayers go out to the community of Humboldt, the parents, the players and the entire Humboldt Broncos Hockey team.”
Campbell's sentiments are echoed by her fellow educators.
From Carlyle, Gordon F. Kells High School phys-ed teacher Colin Wilson - who played with the Broncos from 2004 to 2007 - is currently in Humboldt to lend support.
GFK Vice-Principal Darcy Howe says: “On behalf of our entire student body and staff we send our deepest condolences and our thoughts and prayers to the community of Humboldt.”
“We have a message scrolling on our school sign, our flags are at half-mast and like everyone else, we can't imagine what they as a community are going through. Like everyone else on the Prairies and Canada we send them our prayers and support.”
“You hope and pray it's something you never, never have to go through,” adds Howe. “Dealing with one death is hard, but dealing with 15 deaths is unimaginable. We are monitoring our kids here and sending our love and support up to everyone in Humboldt.”
Arcola School Principal Ron Wardrope agrees. “Our kids and staff are all in green today and we observed a moment of silence at our assembly today. Our flag will remain at half-mast throughout the week.”
“I think it's devastating,” says Wardrope. “You can imagine the horror and tragedy of losing one child and then you multiply that by 15 people...Everyone at Arcola School sends our heartfelt sympathy to everyone involved in this tragedy.”
Principal Sheri Cappo of the White Bear Education Complex says: “What a tragedy. Everyone is emotionally affected and it is truly devastating. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families.”
Staff and students at Manor School wore green shirts and lowered flags to half-mast, according to Principal Melissa Barsi who says, “Everyone in Manor is thinking of the families and we send our sincere sympathies.”
On behalf of Redvers School, principal Nancy Fraser sent the following message: “Redvers School sends our most sincerest condolences to the entire Broncos organization and their families impacted by this tragedy. Words cannot express the heartache we feel for each and every one of you at this difficult time. Our prayers to you all.”
The South East Cornerstone School Division spoke on behalf of all of the area's schools this way: “As with all across this small and intimate province and our compassionate country, we are tremendously saddened by the horrific tragedy involving the Humboldt Broncos hockey club. Our most heartfelt condolences are sent to all involved.”