Staff and students in the Delta School District will join the Mayor of Delta and the Delta Police and Fire Departments by wearing pink on Pink Shirt Day on February 24 to raise awareness of issues associated with bullying, and to encourage people to help one another and advocate on behalf of those who need it.
The focus of the 2021 Pink Shirt campaign, Lift Each Other Up, is working together and treating others with dignity and respect. With one in five students affected by bullying, Pink Shirt Day is an important reminder to practice kindness and compassion, and promote anti-bullying, which is really about allowing people to be who they are – uniquely made to fulfill an important purpose; to bring their unique flare, look, perspective, and voice to the world.
“Over the last year, we have all been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Now more than ever, there is no room for bullying in our classrooms, our workplaces or our community. It is important to practice compassion and offer a helping hand when we see others in need,” said Delta School Board Chair Val Windsor. “It is also important to take action against bullying behaviour and to report any incidents, or even rumours of concern. There are ways for students or their parents to do this anonymously.”
Over the last few years, the City of Delta, School District, Fire and Police Departments have worked together to deliver the much-anticipated Battle of the Badge hockey game to drive home the point that although we may look different and fulfill different roles, it doesn’t mean that one is better than the other. Ultimately, when the Fire and Police Departments bring their different roles, responsibilities and talents together, their impact in our community is even greater. As a result of the pandemic, Battle of the Badges will not take place this year. Instead, the City, Police, Fire and School District have worked to create a special video that will be shared with Delta students on Pink Shirt Day.
Educating school staff, students, parents and families on the importance of being kind and respectful can help curb student behaviour issues before they become problematic.
Building safe school environments where students are respected is a top priority for the Delta School District. We encourage students and parents to take action against bullying behaviour. Don’t be a bystander – you become part of the problem by watching bad things happen and not doing or saying anything about it.
If bullying behaviour is witnessed or experienced, or even if you hear about something that is potentially going to happen to someone, talk to a teacher, counsellor or trained professional. Alternatively notify the school immediately or report it anonymously through the province’s ERASE Report It online tool: https://erasereportit.gov.bc.ca/add/report-it
Learn more at pinkshirtday.ca. Together, let’s Lift Each Other Up!