Many students and staff dressed up for Pink Shirt Day on Wednesday. (Submitted photos)

By Martin Martinson

Spreading Kindness

Local schools show support for Pink Shirt Day

Feb 24, 2021 | 3:45 PM

Staff and students throughout the community were doing their part to raise awareness and show support for anti-bullying Wednesday by taking part in Pink Shirt Day.

While in previous years, many schools have held assemblies featuring guest speakers and various team-building activities. Due to the current COVID-19 guidelines, things have looked a bit different this year.

McKitrick Community School

At McKitrick School, the day started off with a special breakfast, in the form of pink pancakes made especially for the occasion, which were then delivered to students in their individual classrooms.

McKitrick School staff prepare pink pancakes for the students on Wednesday. (Submitted photo/Amanda Risling)

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McKitrick principal, Amanda Risling, said this year the Pink Shirt Day anti-bullying initiative is as valuable as ever with the added stresses caused by the ongoing pandemic.

“This Pink Shirt Day seems even more important as people are in isolation, dealing with stress from the pandemic and worry over COVID,” Risling said.

“That we remember to be kind to everyone and show compassion and love to our community is key, and I am so proud of our Mustang family for being truly kind,” she added.

McKitrick School also purchased special Pink Shirt Day cookies for the students in support of the local Boys and Girls Club. (Submitted photo/Amanda Risling)

Connaught Elementary School

Principal at Connaught Elementary, Jenifer Kahl said even without the large assembly this year, the school has maintained their focus on the importance of inclusivity and kindness associated with the day through individual classroom activities and learning.

“Here at Connaught School we very much think of ourselves as a school family, and we really talk about how important it is to be kind to each other and treat each other with respect,” she said.

Connaught Elementary School’s Grade 1 class dressed up for Pink Shirt Day. (Submitted photo/Jenifer Kahl)

Kahl added that it’s been great to see so many students take part in the initiative today.

“We encourage that kindness and inclusion every day, beyond Pink Shirt Day, but today we are all looking very dashing in our pink shirts for anti-bullying day, because of the importance of what it stands for,” she said.

Lawrence Elementary School

As part of the day’s events at Lawrence Elementary School, a couple of the classes also tuned in to an author-reading of the book, “There’s a Norseman in the Classroom” by Grayson Smith, via Zoom link. An illustrated children’s book, the story is all about acceptance and inclusion in the classroom.

Students of all different ages and grades took part in Pink Shirt Day Wednesday at Lawrence Elementary School. (Submitted photo/Christine Gibson)

While the pink shirts may go back in the closet tomorrow, principal at Lawrence Elementary, Christine Gibson said the message of Pink Shirt Day is one that can be applied daily.

“Days like this certainly bring an awareness to the issues in how we sometimes treat each other, but more importantly, it’s about bringing that attention to how we can be kind,” she said. “I think it’s about how can you go out of your way to ease someone’s day a bit and make it better; and be that person not just today, but every day after too.”

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1