Pink Shirt Day continues to share uplifting anti-bullying messages with students
Surrey Schools is continuing its support for Pink Shirt Day, encouraging students and staff across the district to lift each other up and put an end to bullying in schools.
Recognized on the last Wednesday of February, Pink Shirt Day is an international anti-bullying campaign that started in 2007 after several Nova Scotia students witnessed a Grade 9 classmate get bullied for wearing a pink shirt. The students returned to school the next day wearing their own pink shirts and distributed others to the boys in the school, kicking off an international movement to take a stand against bullying, intimidation and harassment.
The annual event returns this year with the recurring motto Lift Each Other Up, inspiring students to collectively raise their spirits and support one another.
Surrey Schools has a number of district and partner resources available, including:
- Protecting Surrey Students Together (PSST), an innovative website designed in partnership with the Surrey RCMP that includes an array of resources, and a tool for safe and anonymous reporting of dangerous or illegal activity, including bullying.
- erase (expect respect & a safe education), a provincial anti-bullying resource with information on online safety, mental health and well-being, racism, discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and gender-based violence.
- NeedHelpNow.ca, a step-by-step guide for youth experiencing luring, sextortion, online sexual violence or the unwanted sharing of nude photos, including what to do (and not do), and how and where to report sexual violations.
While Pink Shirt Day is just one day out of the year, its message serves as a reminder to exemplify kindness and care towards each other year-round. For more information, visit www.pinkshirtday.ca.
What to do if you or someone you know is being bullied
Bullying comes in many forms, including physical, social, verbal and online, and it's important for students, parents and staff to be aware that not all bullying is obvious or visible.
According to the PSST website, some signs to look for if you think your child or a friend is being bullied include:
- disliking school
- having few to no friends
- lack of focus
- being quiet, withdrawn or gloomy
- being difficult or argumentative
- having unexplained injuries
- low self-esteem
- becoming easily frustrated
Some students who are getting bullied may not feel comfortable talking about it, so it’s important that parents, teachers and friends maintain open communication so they may feel safe to come forward and share what they're going through.
Bystanders who witness bullying also have the power to intervene. If you see someone who being bullied or who needs help, stand up for them and reach out to a trusted adult for support.
Students are encouraged to report unsafe behaviour to trusted adults such as parents, teachers and counsellors. The district's Safe School Liaisons can provide secondary students with help if they are being harassed, and students and parents can also anonymously report unsafe or concerning incidents through the PSST 'Report It' page.
For more resources on bullying and other student safety issues, visit psst-bc.ca
