THUNDER BAY -- Having a superpower doesn’t necessarily mean brute-force strength or super-speed.
It can be making people smile or being a good friend. That’s the message sent to students throughout the city Wednesday from a team of police officers, the majority of which were dressed as famous superheroes, as part of Police Week.
The officers stopped at Sherbrooke Public School first and Thunder Bay Police Service Const. Ben Grieve, also a school resource officer, said they want the children to know each and every one of them is special.
“They have their own strengths, abilities that make them special, makes them unique from each other and if they can combine those strengths and abilities with each other, it will make the school a better place, home a better place, their families stronger,” he said.
The students said named off strengths like helping their parents tidy or looking after younger siblings and one said he tries to be a good friend to everybody in his class.
“I loved the answers. I loved the super special powers some of the kids have,” said Grieve.
Sherbrooke principal Robin Tabor-John said focusing on students’ strengths has always been a priority at the school.
“It’s something we get the kids to think about – the strengths they can bring to their classroom and to think beyond academics, too,” she said.
The students had been prepared for the visit from the police officers but Tabor-John said their excitement was at a high when they saw the officers come out in their costumes.
The Hulk, Black Widow, Captain America and Wonder Woman were all in attendance.
“It was more than they thought it would be,” she said.
“It was an opportunity for the officers to have a little bit of fun and show the kids what they’re like beyond the uniform, that they’re real people, too, and they like to have fun.”
More Police Week activities are planned this week, including an information booth at Intercity Shopping Centre this Saturday.
