Photo Karen Graham.
North Cavan students form a pink heart in their gym last year to celebrate Pink Shirt Day.
Anti-Bullying Day is a day when people wear a pink, blue or purple shirt to symbolise a stand against bullying, an idea that originated in Canada and is celebrated on various dates around the world. It takes aim particularly at online bullying, which takes many shapes, such as harassment, spreading rumours, sharing embarrassing information or threats. This year, Pink Shirt Day is encouraging others to combat cyberbullying by thinking twice before posting something negative, and instead using the internet to spread kindness. February 28th is the second of three major bullying awareness and prevention events each school year. The final one, Day of Pink, will be held in April.
Last week, students at Millbrook South Cavan PS students made making positive announcements over the PA system, and the school plans to launch its Beyond the Hurt group. Student representatives will visit all classes from Grade 4/5 to 8 to talk about positive relationships, communication and empathy. Each student will pledge to do one meaningful thing to end bullying, and these pledges will be on pink paper t shirts to be displayed around the school.
At North Cavan PS, students participated in a Character Assembly focusing on fairness on Pink Shirt Day. In addition, each class will present a large, decorated heart to another class or to staff, identifying all the reasons that make them special, valued and important.
