In the pink: Rainbow schools target bullying Sept. 17

Staff and students in Rainbow Schools will wear pink on Sept. 17, marking the board's eighth Stand Up Against Bullying Day.

“Once again, this small gesture will go a long way in demonstrating our collective commitment to safe schools,” said Norm Blaseg, director of education. “We invite everyone in the community to join with us and wear pink on Thursday, Sept. 17.

“By nurturing a strong partnership between the school, the home and the community, Rainbow Schools ensure that students receive an education that includes personal, social and citizenship development. We are leaders in learning inspiring success for all students by reaching minds and touching hearts.”

Ten character traits, which are modelled, taught and expected in Rainbow Schools, provide the foundation for ongoing character development and the values of the board — honesty, respect, empathy, responsibility, integrity, courtesy, resilience, acceptance, courage and co-operation.

The many character development programs and activities in Rainbow Schools complement the board’s Code of Conduct, which promotes responsibility, respect, civility and academic excellence in a safe learning and teaching environment.

Stand Up Against Bullying Day began in Nova Scotia where secondary school students Travis Price and David Shepherd arranged for dozens of their classmates to wear pink shirts in support of another student who had been bullied for wearing pink.

The Province of Nova Scotia subsequently declared the second Thursday at the start of every school year to be Stand Up Against Bullying Day.

"The actions of these two young men, along with their fellow students who wore pink to school in support of another student, reverberated across Canada and here in Rainbow Schools,” said Board Chair Doreen Dewar.

Rainbow District School Board’s Parent Involvement Committee championed the cause. Trustees unanimously endorsed the following motion in 2008 and continue to support and encourage this positive initiative:

“That Rainbow District School Board declare the second Thursday of each new school year commencing Sept. 11, 2008 as Stand Up Against Bullying Day. Further, we encourage all Rainbow students and staff to conduct activities that day to increase awareness and to support action and, to wear something pink to demonstrate their support and commitment to ending bullying in our schools and communities.”