Office of the Premier
Artwork blanketed the steps of Victoria's Parliament Buildings today as students displayed their canvases in the first Pink Shirt Day art gallery.
Students had been given the prompt “Paint Out Bullying” and told to let their imaginations run wild. The student creativity continued with a spoken word poetry performance.
(flickr.com) Premier Clark and Education Minister Mike Bernier also proclaimed today as Bullying Awareness Day, highlighting B.C.’s commitment to a safe and inclusive province.
Today’s Pink Shirt Day was the ninth time the day has been acknowledged in B.C. It also brings additional emphasis to B.C.’s ERASE Bullying Strategy (Expect Respect And a Safe Education).
(flickr.com) ERASE Bullying is a 10-point, comprehensive prevention and intervention strategy designed to address bullying and harmful behaviours in schools.
Launched in June 2012, the strategy focuses on personalized supports and interventions for students. Through the strategy, more than 13,000 community partners (e.g., police, child welfare workers) have been trained to address bullying and threat-making behaviour, including cyberbullying and online threats using social media. In the past year, the training has been expanded, with a stronger emphasis on cyberbullying and mental health.
Since their release last February, the ERASE social media guidelines have been downloaded more than 1,300 times and viewed more than 3,000 times. The guidelines were developed by the ERASE Student Advisory.
(flickr.com) Quotes:
Christy Clark, Premier –
“Nine years after our first Pink Shirt Day, it’s inspiring to witness students’ continued passion for erasing bullying. Not so long ago, it took a lot of imagination to picture a world without bullying – but as we’ve seen in a short time, if we take the initiative, and stand together – anything is possible.”
Mike Bernier, Minister of Education –
“As I visit schools around the province, it’s clear that students understand the importance of safe schools and supportive learning environments. Artistic expression not only combats the negative effects of bullying, but it brightens classrooms and greater school communities. Pink Shirt Day is an excellent starting point to paint out bullying forever.”
Learn More:
The ERASE Bullying website continues to be a safe space online for students, parents and educators. To learn more about bullying prevention, visit: http://www.erasebullying.ca/
To find out more about Pink Shirt Day, visit: www.pinkshirtday.ca
