Ponoka schools, organizations and businesses marked Pink Shirt Day on Wednesday, Feb. 28, by sporting pink shirts with uplifting messages of being kind and standing against bullying.
Ponoka Elementary School was awash with pink and school spirit last week, thanks in part to a donation of pink shirts for Grade 5 and 6 students from Samson Community Wellness. The shirt design featured a heart with the Cree word “sakihitowin,” meaning love, or the state of love.
The staff of the Ponoka Youth Centre sported pink “Be Kind” t-shirts on Feb. 28. The shirts were on sale at the centre for the month of February.
“All students have the right to feel safe, welcome and included. On Pink Shirt Day, we follow in the footsteps of the courageous students who started it all back in 2007, standing up proudly to show that bullying has no place in school – or anywhere else,” said Minister of Education Demetrios Nicolaides in a press release Feb. 28.
“When we wear our pink shirts each year, we’re reminding ourselves and each other that doing the right thing is even more powerful when you do it together. Whether in the classroom or out in the community, making sure nobody is left out is a simple way to foster a culture of kindness.”
Those who are experiencing bullying can access help by calling or texting the confidential 24-7 Bullying Helpline at 310-1818 or by using the online web chat.
