Education and Early Childhood Development
Executive Council
February 22, 2017
Promoting Positive and Safe Learning Environments
Pink Shirt Day Builds Awareness of the Impacts of Bullying
The Provincial Government is recognizing February 22 as Pink Shirt Day in Newfoundland and Labrador. Pink Shirt Day occurs during Violence Awareness Week, which is recognized in the Kindergarten to Grade 12 school system from February 19 to 25. During this week schools participate in various activities to promote violence prevention in their schools and communities.
“All Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have a role to play in preventing bullying and other forms of violence. By joining with students and community partners and wearing pink on Pink Shirt Day we are creating important awareness that bullying is not acceptable and we all play a role in preventing it. I encourage all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to join the students of our province in recognizing bullying when it occurs and speaking out against it.”
- The Honourable Dale Kirby, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development
To help support safe, caring and inclusive learning environments, the Provincial Government is providing a total of $20,000 shared among 38 schools through the Safe and Caring Schools Special Project Awards. Through these awards, schools are recognized for their efforts in achieving safe, caring and inclusive learning environments, promoting positive school climates, and sustaining safe and caring communities. A list of award recipients for 2017 is provided in the backgrounder below.
“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the winners of this year’s Safe and Caring Special Project Awards. These schools are helping to empower students and encourage them not to turn a blind eye to cyber abuse or any type of bullying. It is only through raising awareness and changing attitudes that all types of bullying can be stopped and prevented, particularly cyber bulling.”
- The Honourable Cathy Bennett, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women
Raising awareness about bullying and violence prevention is complementary to adopting a health-in-all-policies approach – one of the more than 50 commitments in The Way Forward: A Vision for Sustainability and Growth in Newfoundland and Labrador available online at gov.nl.ca/pdf/the_way_forward.pdf.
The vision guides Provincial Government actions to achieve greater efficiency, strengthen the province’s economic foundation, enhance services, and improve outcomes to promote a healthy and prosperous province.
QUICK FACTS
- February 22 is Pink Shirt Day in Newfoundland and Labrador.
- The Provincial Government is providing a total of $20,000 shared among 38 schools through the Safe and Caring Schools Special Project Awards.
- The awards recognize creative efforts to promote and maintain safe, respectful and positive school environments, all goals of the Safe and Caring Schools Policy.
- Acknowledging Pink Shirt Day as part of Violence Awareness Week compliments commitments outlined in The Way Forward: A Vision for Sustainability and Growth in Newfoundland and Labrador, available online at gov.nl.ca/pdf/the_way_forward.pdf.
- For more information on safe and caring schools visit www.ed.gov.nl.ca/edu/k12/safeandcaring/.
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Media contacts:
|
Rod Drover Media Relations Manager Department of Education and Early Childhood Development 709-729-1906, 730-4607 RodneyCDrover@gov.nl.ca |
Tansy Mundon Director of Communications Department of Finance 709-729-6830, 693-1865 tansymundon@gov.nl.ca |
BACKGROUNDER
2017 Safe and Caring Schools Special Project Award Recipients
Central Region
- Woodland Primary- “You Are an Everyday Hero!”
- Conrad Fitzgerald Academy- The Gathering Place
- King Academy- King Academy’s GSA Safe Space
- J. M. Olds Collegiate- Wellness Café and Safe Space
- Fogo Island Central Academy- Get Real Movement Mental Wellness Day/PBS Program
- Botwood Collegiate- From Shadows to Spotlight: Unmasking What Matters
- Lake Academy/John Burke High School- Kindness Week
- Smallwood Academy- PAWsitive Power of Pink
- St. Joseph’s All Grade- Building Character @ SJAG
- Bay d’Espoir Academy- Mental Health Day
- Jane Collins Academy and William Mercer Academy-Mental Health and Awareness Presentation
- Lewisporte Academy- WITS/LEADS
- John Watkins Academy- Peer Helper/Safe Space
- Pearson Academy- Get Real Project Presentation and Creative Tactile Wall
- Gander Academy: Mind Up Curriculum
Eastern Region
- Ascension Collegiate - GSA Provincial Conference (StandOut3)
- Amalgamated Academy - Pride Week
Western Region
- St. Peter’s Academy/Benoit’s Cove: Get Real Workshop for Students
- Cloud River Academy: Get Real Workshop for Students
- Long Range Academy: Get Real Workshop for Students
- E.A. Butler: Get Real Presentation
- Appalachia High School: Promoting Safe & Caring Schools and PBIS Launch
- Pasadena Academy: Random Acts of Kindness
- Our Lady of the Cape: BackYard Gardening
- C.C. Loughlin: One Community
- Dorset Collegiate: Learning Commons/Get Real Workshop for Students
- Canon Richard’s Memorial Academy: Dinner Hour ERP
- French Shore Academy: PBS Carnival
- Indian River High School: Wellness Day
- Gros Morne Academy: Get Real Workshop for Students
- Boone Bay Academy – Bonne Bay Academy (K-12) – Yoga for Youth
- Belanger Memorial Schools: Get Real Workshop for Students
- Stephenville Elementary: PBS Code of Conduct Banner
- 17. Corner Brook Intermediate: Cool Behaviour Supports Auctions
Labrador Region
- Menihek High School - Mental Health Day
- Queen of Peace Middle School - A Winter Carnival for Everyone!
- A.P. Low Primary - The Key to Happiness if Kindness
- J.R. Smallwood - School-Wide PBS Reward System
2017 02 22 3:55 p.m.