South Park has both sparked outrage and won applause for its irreverent and often crude brand of satire. (Comedy Central/Associated Press)

Officials with a Newfoundland and Labrador school board are warning students they will be disciplined if they take a joke from the popular cartoon series South Park too far.

Fans of the button-pushing television show celebrate something called Kick A Ginger Day on Nov. 20, flowing from the show's pokes at red-haired children as "born with a disease" and "nasty." The supposed "event" has sparked a rash of groups, in support and against, on the social networking site Facebook.

Officials with the Eastern School District are worried the joke will take a violent turn, with real-life red-haired children getting kicked.

"These types of things can occur in a school-age population," said Tony Stack, principal of St. Peter's Junior High School in Mount Pearl, who sent an e-mail to parents after he heard about the prank.

"But when you constantly reinforce it through positive means, then it goes a long way towards preventing that type of behaviour from occurring."

The Eastern School District warned all schools in its jurisdiction about the possibility of violence after receiving complaints.

Const. Kevin Foley, who runs anti-bullying workshops for the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, said police will not hesitate to investigate schoolyard incidents if they suspect a crime has been committed.

He said no student should accept behaviour that could hurt him or her.

"First of all, you do have the right to be there without fear of being the victim of youth violence," Foley said.

"If you do see somebody who is causing a problem, notify the school administration so that the problem can be looked after."

Stirring controversy and pushing buttons have been part of South Park since the often-satirical U.S. series debuted in 1997 and began chronicling the lives of foul-mouthed schoolchildren living in a fictional Colorado town. The show's targets have included celebrities, religion, politicians, global warming and any number of topical issues.

South Park, though, has also won praise from high places. In 2006, the show won a Peabody award for its irreverent yet brave satire.