COVID-19 Community Update from Beacon Hill Villa, February 27-2021

Dear Dedicated Friends and Family of Beacon Hill Villa,

Weekly fun themed activities have continued this week for the residents as usual. However, as you may or may not be aware, this week we celebrated Pink Shirt Day. Pink Shirt Day, or Anti-Bullying Day, is a day where everyone is encouraged to wear a pink shirt to symbolize a stand against bullying. Bullying is a form of aggression where there is a power imbalance. In additional to any physical trauma incurred, bullying can result in serious emotional problems, including anxiety, low self-esteem, or depression.

Here’s a little history lesson for everyone that wishes to learn more about Pink Shirt Day:

• Wednesday February 24^th is Anti-Bullying Day, also known as Pink Shirt Day. The movement began in 2007 and began at Central Kings Rural High School in Nova Scotia, Canada. David Shepherd, Travis Price and their teenage friends organized a high-school protest to wear pink in sympathy with a Grade 9 boy who was being bullied for wearing a pink shirt…They took a stand against bullying when they protested against the harassment of a new Grade 9 student by distributing pink T-shirts to all the boys in their school.
• Originally, the colour pink used to be considered a masculine colour. In the 18^th century into the early 20^th century around WW1, catalogues displayed boys clothing as pink, and blue was for girls. Pink was decided as being a stronger colour more suitable for boys/men, since pink was close in colour to red, and red symbolized the colour of blood which was shed on the battlefield during wartime by soldiers. So how did this change, and when? The distinction began in the late 1920’s, when some retail stores such as Macy’s in Manhattan in the USA swapped boys clothing to pink and girls to blue, while other stores like Best & Co still branded boys as pink and vice versa. It is believed that the acquisition of two 18^th century paintings by American Millionaire Henry Huntington fostered the change we know today. A boy in the painting was known as “The Blue Boy” and was depicted wearing a blue dress, while the girl in pink was called “Pinkie”.

Bullying is an incredibly serious issue and can occur within Schools, at home, and in the workplace. The Pink Shirt Day Initiative aims to support students, educators, employees and employers, and the community in recognizing, educating, and putting a stop to bullying, discrimination, racism, homophobia, and transphobia.

And if you don’t have a pink shirt, wear another article of pink clothing, such as a pink bracelet or socks!

Stay strong everyone.

____________________________________________________________________________________

We are offering scheduled alternating week visits at a time & date that works for you (once every two weeks)   OR   weekly visits which fit into our pre-set schedule calling out free spots about 3 days prior to availability. Recreation has gotten in contact with most of the designated visitors, please email tdunn@retirementconcepts.com/ or call 250-383-5447, ext. 221 if you have not been contacted.

CANCELLING your visit with your loved one (in person, window etc).

We have a 48-hour cancellation policy, and can easily reschedule you.  If you have to cancel your meeting with your loved one can you please email Tamsin and cc the recreation department as follows:

tdunn@retirementconcepts.com    And cc: bhv-recreation@retiremetconcepts.com

If you don’t have email then please call Tamsin at 250-383-5447 ext 221.

As things will look a bit different, here is a summary of what to expect when you visit:

• There will be designated parking: ambulance parking is in front
• Please arrive no earlier than 5 minutes before your scheduled appointment
• Come down to rec/kitchen stairs, and be screened before you enter
• Visits will be in the recreation area. Outdoor patio visits are encouraged. There is an indoor space if required.
• Sanitize hands and wear a surgical grade masks. Required personal protective equipment will be provided by BHV.
• Visits will be approx. 40 minutes in duration.

In order to maximize our time so all families can benefit from booking a visit quickly:

• Virtual visits will still be offered. However, we are sure they will decrease.
• In person visits will take the place of fence visits.
• We have a 48-hour cancellation policy, and can easily reschedule you.
• Please contact tdunn@retirementconcepts.com/ or call 250-383-5447, ext. 221

Take care and stay safe,  Beacon Hill Villa Team