North Addington Increases Involvement In Day Of Pink

Valerie Allan | Apr 17, 2013

NAEC’s students presented a sea of pink on April 10, the International Day of Pink. It is estimated that at least 90% of the students wore some form of pink, be it a pink shirt, pink shoes, or other pink items. This is the biggest turn-out of pink people at the school since the first NAEC Day of Pink in 2011.

The students gathered together for a Whole School Photo, and a short assembly. Ms. Salmond reminded the students about the background of the Day of Pink. A student at a Nova Scotia school was bullied because he was wearing a pink shirt. A group of students went and bought pink shirts and wore them to school as an anti-bullying gesture. The International Day of Pink is specifically designed to combat homophobic and gender-based bullying.

Mrs. Fuller’s Grade 1/2 class, Ms. Buck’s Grade 5/6 class and Ms. Cuthill’s Grade 6/7 class all made displays regarding the Day of Pink. These were (and are) displayed in the front foyer, for students, staff and visitors to consider. Other classes viewed videos, made posters, or had discussions about being sensitive, kind and accepting of everyone.

Jeremy Dias, who started DayofPink.org, will be visiting NAEC on April 17, to continue the conversation. Jeremy was, himself, a victim of homophobic bullying and started “Jer’s Vision”, a non-profit group dedicated to ending bullying and educating people about acceptance. Principal Angela Salmond commented, “We are very pleased to have Jeremy come and talk to us. We tried to schedule him last year, but had no luck. This year, Ms. Gaffney and Mr. Kerr, along with the Limestone District School Board, have managed to arrange a visit.”