YORKTON - Students involved in the Building Active Leaders program at Dr. Brass received some hands-on learning regarding riding bicycles safely.
Instructor Kristen Nagy said the afternoon spent with RCMP Cst. Kimberley Flett was to make sure the students were “ready to go riding in the community,” as part of the program’s efforts to do some “random acts of kindness.” She explained that is “the project we have going on right now.”
Building Active Leaders is an academy that explores opportunities outside of the school in fitness, health and kindness initiatives. This academy is for students interested in leadership and learning opportunities outside of the classroom, details the school website.
To spread the acts of kindness around the community Nagy said they want to be able to ride because walking is limiting in terms of where they might go in the time they have allotted.
The plan is to go out in the community and do little things that show kindness, ranging from a simple message left on a nature trail, a nicely painted rock to illicit a smile, or more direct efforts such as helping with groceries at a store, said Nagy.
Along the way students learn about things such as communication, collaboration and leadership.
Of course not every student has a bicycle, but Nagy said they are working on that too. They have received grant dollars from the SaskTel Be Kind initiative, Cornerstone Credit Union and help in accessing bikes from Canadian Tire and now have a fleet of nine bikes, with hopes of expanding the number if additional dollars are accessed.
One of bikes is a three-wheeler with a large basket for carrying water, and also provides greater accessibility should a student be completely inexperienced or have other riding needs, noted Nagy.
Cst. Flett said the activities Friday, weaving through pylons, coming to a stop safely and riding a figure eight was some basic bike riding elements for students to have a foundation.
“This is just basic,” she said.
Flett added the familiar Bike Safety Rodeos will also be upcoming for all Grade 3 students in the city.
