Students and staff at CCS (Canora Composite School) and thousands of others across the province encouraged each other to stand up and be someone’s hero by wearing the iconic pink T-shirts during K+S Pink Day on February 27, said Curtis Baillie, CCS teacher
Students are raising awareness of bullying issues and inspiring others to stand up for each other when they see bullying happening. Research shows that in most instances, bullying will stop within 10 seconds when someone safely intervenes, according to a release.
Pink Day began in 2007, when two high school students in Nova Scotia spoke out against bullying. They asked their peers to wear pink to school after they heard a male classmate had been bullied for wearing a pink shirt. Their act of kindness sparked a worldwide movement. To continue the momentum, the K+S Pink Day campaign brings together schools and communities to wear pink and stand together against bullying, said the release.
K+S Potash Canada has been working alongside the Canadian Red Cross for five years to help Saskatchewan youth learn how to recognize, prevent and respond to bullying situations. For each official K+S Pink Day shirt sold, the Red Cross can reach one student with the information and tools they need to safely address bullying behaviour.
Also supported by Harvard Broadcasting and Saskatoon Media Group, all proceeds from K+S Pink Day go directly to supporting Red Cross bullying prevention education in Saskatchewan.
“The work the Canadian Red Cross is doing to help educate young people on bullying prevention will provide safer, brighter futures for Saskatchewan’s youth,” said Maeghan Dubois, Manager of Communications and Corporate Affairs, K+S Potash Canada, “We are incredibly proud that our partnership for K+S Pink Day will allow this work to continue, not just today, but throughout the year.”
“Pink Day encourages us to speak up when bullying occurs,” said Gordon Wyant, deputy premier and minister of education. “It reminds us that we should all be treated with respect in the classroom, on the playground, and online no matter our differences.”
“By wearing pink on February 27, you are showing your support for those affected by bullying,” said Cindy Fuchs, Red Cross vice-president. “Bullying is one of the biggest issues our kids are facing. Through awareness initiatives like Pink Day, we are helping kids learn how to prevent and address bullying behaviour.”
Red Cross Bullying Prevention Education
For over 30 years, the Canadian Red Cross has been working to promote healthy relationships amongst individuals and within schools. Canadian-based research shows that ongoing, peer-to-peer education is the key to preventing bullying, which is why Red Cross continues to work with Saskatchewan schools and communities throughout the year to provide bullying prevention education, according to the release. Last year, the Red Cross reached over 88,000 people with violence, bullying and abuse prevention education in Saskatchewan. The curriculum is recommended by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education and is based on solid research by Canadian experts.
