An activity day includes exactly that, a day of activity. Activity, such an arbitrary term, for some it may scream outdoor activity; for others it could simply meaning classroom film time. Regardless of what activity means to you, there was an event at our school that led to an activity day being called. All teachers needed to participate in an activity OR set up an activity that students would also participate in.
The events needed to be large enough that they generated enough student interest to make it worth the accumulation of teachers. Every teacher was on deck (or supposed to be) that day.
One of the events (an awesome event choice I might add) proposed was, "Paintball". Why? How? No way! So you think, as did the teacher who proposed it. The idea was approved, 100+ students were enrolled and the buses were late. It was happening...
The bus made its way to the hunting club (it was not known that it was a hunting club before going), the manager of the club was advertising the paintball and laser tag around town constantly and also offered some decent deals on the activity for students and teachers. As a first time event on a scale this big, it went well for the teacher. The students were excited to be going; safe and well taken care of. The teachers involved did a good job, for the most part. Money was handled well and it was a very memorable event. It turns it was more memorable for some more than others.
The students when finished on the field were allowed to go get an ice cream from the main hut and sit in the sun by the bus, what teachers didn't know is that a lower level of the grounds, there was a shooting range. The owner took students sitting there, down to the range as the students were curious and inquiring. A teacher noticed the manager walking students down and approached them out of concern and responsibility.
The teacher was trying to ask the students what was going as the teacher had no idea what was being said in Chinese. This had proven to be the Achilles heel to the whole event. The students and teacher were talking and there was translating which was very vague. The manager walked away and came back with a hand gun and clip. The teacher became nervous and a student reached for it. The teacher unsure what to do demanded the student stop and took the others to find a teacher. The student had began firing shots into the range and the manager idly stood by smiling. The student paid the manager and ran back up to the group. The teacher couldn't find the other teachers who were still on the field at the time and went back down to discuss what had happened with the students and the manager. After being talked down by the students who were explaining it is fine, it is safe, it is okay, etc. (because in China, screw the rules and law enforcement right?), they also participated in the activity thinking, "well, TIC" (This is China). Pictures made their way by students to a social media platform which became quite problematic for the other teachers as well.
A day later the other teachers found out about the full story and event which was discussed and appropriately dealt with. the interesting part to this, was the parent's response.
The teacher wrote an apology letter to each set of parent s(well, one that was meant for each set of parents), some responded with "thank you for letting us know, that is okay." and the others simply, didn't respond at all.
So, when preparing an activity for a school event (especially in Canada), beware of certain "unexpected features", you never know when you will be on the right side of the gun in the wrong situation. Needless to say, everyone is safe and learned something important, but in the future...this activity will not occur again.
Teachers, might I recommend viewing OPHEA (more than just a set of safety guidelines for Ontario Physical Education Teachers.
CB
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