Students in New Westminster donned pink shirts on Wednesday to show they have no tolerance for bullying.
Pink Shirt Day was and is being marked at schools throughout New Westminster this week, and this year the district encouraged students to make the day their own, Janet Grant, assistant superintendent, told the Record.
Students are still encouraged to wear pink on Feb. 24 to bring awareness to bullying, but each school has chosen its own unique way to participate in the annual campaign, Grant said.
“It’s much more meaningful if the ideas are generated from the kids and the staff,” she said. “It gives them more ownership and more commitment and engagement into the whole messaging.”
Here’s a sampling of some of the Pink Shirt Day-inspired events happening around the district this week:
(Reporter’s note: The events below were scheduled to take place after press deadline.)
New Westminster Secondary
Students at the high school were planning a special presentation of Rock Solid in partnership with the New Westminster Police Department. The production “aims to reduce and eliminate school bullying and other acts of violence.”
F.W. Howay Elementary
Students are marking Pink Shirt Day by decorating paper pink shirts with anti-bullying messages. The shirts will be hung in the hallways for all to see.
Richard McBride Elementary
This school plans to celebrate Pink Shirt Day with kindness grams. For $2, students could send a message to classmates. The notes were to be delivered on Pink Shirt Day along with a chocolate treat. Proceeds from the fundraiser were to be donated to the Wildlife Rescue Association of B.C.
École Qayqayt Elementary
Students here will be given sidewalk chalk and asked to write positive messages on the concrete out front of the school. The public display is meant to be shared with the surrounding community.
École Glenbrook Middle School
Students at this school have been participating in an “Acts of Caring” week with different events and activities dedicated to the theme of “caring.”
École Herbert Spencer, Lord Kelvin and Connaught Heights elementary
These schools are holding friendship assemblies in celebration of Pink Shirt Day.
École Lord Tweedsmuir Elementary
Students will be decorating the halls with little cut-out hearts with messages or anecdotes of kindness and empathy on them.
Queen Elizabeth Elementary
The ‘Boro elementary school is hosting a peace and kindness assembly, and the pièce de résistance is an art installation by Pam Johnson’s Grade 3 students. Since early December, her students have worked tirelessly to finish 1,000 paper cranes for the assembly.
Queensborough Middle School
Students here have been working on several anti-bullying projects, including drama skits and essays. The Hyacks football team is also expected to be on hand for an event on Pink Shirt Day.
