Local schools go pink to fight bullying

This year’s design for Pink Shirt Day. Photo courtesy of the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board

By Katie Coleman

BELLEVILLE – Wednesday was all about bullying prevention awareness and celebrating diversity with the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board’s seventh annual Pink Shirt Day.

“Literally it will be a sea of pink,” said the board’s communications officer, Kerry Donnell. “We take it quite seriously here in our schools and with our students, employees and families. It’s a way to demonstrate our belief in the power of celebrating diversity and acceptance. It’s also a way for students to be role models and student leaders in their schools. It’s a way to demonstrate inclusion and show some respect for all who are in our communities.”

The school board sold over 3,300 pink shirts, which is more than last year. The shirts sport the phrase “inclUSion.”

Pink Shirt Day was started in the area seven years ago at Trenton High School.

The national day was started by two high school students in Nova Scotia in 2008 when they noticed a boy in Grade 9 being bullied for wearing a pink shirt. The students, Travis Price and David Shepherd, went to a local charity shop and bought pink shirts to distribute to their classmates the next day.

Price spoke to students at Trenton High School last year about his experiences and how to be proactive about fighting bullying.

Schools held assemblies Wednesday to talk about inclusivity and acceptance, and school foyers and classrooms were decorated in pink. Some schools also hosted bake sales.

See all the happenings of the day by searching #PinkMakeItYours on Twitter.