February 22nd, 2021

On Wednesday, February 24, join us in recognizing Pink Shirt Day. This is a day to stand up against bullying of all kinds.

Since March 2020, we have shifted to being online more than ever before. Whether it has been to learn, work, keep in touch with family and friends, or pass the time, our existence online has increased in a way that we have never experienced, and along with that not only comes positive messages and stories, but negative comments and harassment.

Bullying through technology is known as cyberbullying. Cyberbullying involves using technology to intentionally embarrass, hurt, harass or humiliate another person. During a time when the expectation to use technology is at the forefront of learning, it’s important to remind our students of our WRDSB’s Digital Citizenship and encourage all to be kind and responsible online.

The actions we take and words we post online can be permanent and impossible to erase. The next time you share a photo, send a text, or make a comment, ask yourself: is it true, helpful, inspiring, necessary, or kind?

Having our students experience a caring learning environment, whether virtual or in-person, that addresses their well-being is crucial to their development and sense of belonging. We recognize and appreciate the relationship between student mental health and academic success.

Pink Shirt Day is on Wednesday, February 24, 2021.

Background

This movement was inspired by the actions of two high school students from Nova Scotia. In 2007, the students witnessed a Grade 9 boy being bullied for wearing a pink polo shirt on his first day of school. Bullies harassed the boy, called him a homosexual for wearing pink and threatened to beat him up. Disgusted with this treatment, the students went to a nearby discount store and bought 50 pink shirts. Then they went online to email classmates to get them on board with their anti-bullying cause that they dubbed a “sea of pink”. The next day not only were dozens of students outfitted with the discount tees, but hundreds of students showed up wearing their own pink clothes, some head-to-toe.

Pink Shirt Day has grown across Canada as a way to symbolize that we as a society will not tolerate bullying.

Wear pink to show your support.

Research shows that a positive and welcoming school environment is essential to the physical and mental wellness and success of each and every one of our students.

We understand that families are looking for support and resources for children who may be experiencing acts of bullying, which is why we have created resources on our website that includes bullying prevention and intervention information, what a positive school climate looks like, and the process for addressing concerns if you believe your child is being bullied.

How can I participate in Pink Shirt Day?

Participating is as simple and easy as wearing pink in your hair, as a piece of clothing, a cool accessory, or even a pink background picture for your virtual learning environment.

We invite you to follow us on Twitter or Instagram to join the larger anti-bullying conversation. If you are planning to wear pink on Wednesday, please help us spread the word that bullying is not tolerated by tweeting or sharing a picture on Instagram using the hashtag #WRDSBpink and #PinkShirtDay.

Sample social media posts:

  • I am participating in #PinkShirtDay with #WRDSBpink.
  • #WRDSBpink pledge: I do not, and will not, stand for bullying of any kind. #PinkShirtDay
  • I wear #WRDSBpink today to show that I do not tolerate bullying. #PinkShirtDay
  • Choose to be kind, not just on #PinkShirtDay, but every day. Together, let’s stand up to bullies. #WRDSBpink
  • “Cyberbullying is serious. It can be emotionally damaging and even lead to tragic consequences,” @Safety_Canada. Please be kind when you post anything online. #PinkShirtDay #WRDSBpink
  • A good reminder on #PinkShirtDay – the actions we take and words we post online can be permanent and impossible to erase. The next time you share a photo, send a text, or make a comment, ask yourself: is it true, helpful, inspiring, necessary, or kind? @PreventingCrime #WRDSBpink