Pink Shirt Day occurs nationwide during February, inspired by an act of kindness in Nova Scotia when two teenagers organized a high school campaign for students to wear pink to support a younger student who was the victim of bullying for wearing a pink T-shirt.
The BC Ministry of Education took the initiative a step further through the creation of ERASE Bullying (Expect Respect and A Safe Education), which is a comprehensive prevention and intervention strategy that will help make B.C. a leader in addressing bullying and harmful behaviours.
As such, the City of Richmond and the Richmond School District partnered to create the Respectful City Committee to raise awareness about ERASE Bullying and help create a respectful, safe, caring and connected community that values individual differences.
The committee encourages supporting diversity and respect year-round and, through its work, an annual poster contest was created for Richmond students to create art that demonstrates what ERASE Bullying and a respectful city mean to them.
The winning poster for 2018 was designed by Geneva Poon, a local Grade 12 student.
Also, Mayor Malcolm Brodie has proclaimed Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 ERASE Bullying Day in Richmond, stating that, “reducing and eventually eliminating bullying is a priority for our city.”
People across the community are encouraged to wear pink and decorate their places of work in pink in support of ERASE Bullying Day.
Schools and community facilities across Richmond will be celebrating on Feb. 28 in a variety of ways with many schools and community facilities decorating common spaces in pink to support ERASE Bullying. Some specific activities include:
•Thompson Community Centre (5151 Granville Avenue) is hosting a free Zumba class for all ages from 3:15 to 4 p.m. for anyone dressed in pink and free popcorn and a nail salon to have nails painted pink from 3 to 4:30 p.m.;
•Steveston Community Centre (4111 Moncton Street) is hosting a week long “Commitment to Kindness Challenge” from Feb. 21 to 28. Staff, program participants and the public are encouraged to write out their commitment to help stop bullying on a provided cut-out pink t-shirt to be added to a mosaic display in the centre. All participants will be entered into a prize draw; encouraged to write out their commitment to help stop bullying on a provided cut-out pink t-shirt to be added to a mosaic display in the centre. All participants will be entered into a prize draw;
•South Arm Community Centre’s Youth Council (8880 Williams Road) is hosting an outdoor youth event at 3:30 p.m. between South Arm Community Centre and McRoberts Secondary with pink ice cream, cotton candy and performances;
•Richmond Fire-Rescue personnel on duty at all Richmond Fire Halls will be wearing pink epaulettes to show their support of ERASE Bullying on Feb. 28 and students, teachers and city staff encouraged to wear pink on Feb. 28.
For more information on ERASE Bullying in Richmond, contact Krista Germyn, youth services coordinator, at 604-276-4110.
