An Abbotsford mom is threatening to pull her three children out of the Mennonite Educational Institute following an anti-abortion Life Day event at the middle school on Tuesday.

Kristy Greenwell believes administrators at MEI were in the wrong by not notifying parents in advance of a voluntary pro-life demonstration Tuesday in which kids had the option of wearing red stickers that read 'Life.'

The stickers, an idea that originated Friday afternoon from a Grade 8 girl at the school, were to show student support for unborn fetuses and against abortion.

Greenwell took her three kids out of school for the day and is contemplating taking them out of MEI altogether after she found out about the event not through administrators or teachers, but by overhearing a conversation between her 11-year-old daughter and her nine-year-old son.

"There was nothing informing parents," said Greenwell.

"I'm sure there are parents who don't have a problem with it, but I'm sure there are a lot who would if they were made aware that this is the topic that their 11-, 12-and 13-year-olds are being taught."

Greenwell also questioned whether bringing up the subject of abortion was "appropriate" for middle school students. MEI superintendent Ernie Janzen said that the pro-life subject resonates with the school's values, but admitted fault for not informing parents of the event.

"Notice going ahead of time would've been a helpful thing because there may divergent viewpoints on this," Janzen told the Abbotsford-Mission Times. "That was an oversight on our part . . . that's something that we regret."

Janzen reiterated that the demonstration was strictly voluntary, and no students at the school were forced to take part or wear the red 'Life' stickers.

"It was limited to Grade 8 [students]," he said. "This was more for the older kids."

However, Janzen added Tuesday's event will be the first and last Life Day event at the school.

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