February 28 is Pink Shirt Day, an international movement which brings awareness to bullying, how it affects people, and what we can do to prevent it.

Throughout the province, students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 are wearing pink to bring awareness to bullying and are participating in various activities to promote kindness in their schools and communities. This year’s theme is Nice Needs No Filter.

To help support safety and establish caring and inclusive learning environments for all students, the Provincial Government is providing $13,000 shared among 32 schools through the Safe and Inclusive 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 2018 is provided in the backgrounder below.

Quotes
“Congratulations to the winners of this year’s Safe and Inclusive Awards. Schools are raising awareness and building a safer environment for their students. Projects and events such as Pink Shirt Day bring awareness to bullying and symbolize that across our province, we do not tolerate bullying at home, at school or at work. I encourage people to wear something pink to show victims of bullying they are not alone and bullying is not acceptable in any form. 
Honourable Dale Kirby
Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development

“There are so many amazing initiatives happening throughout the province to ensure kindness and respect are valued among the school community. Many of these projects are spearheaded by students and staff, and we are pleased to see them recognized and supported, particularly on Pink Shirt Day; an event focused on being kind to and standing up for each other. Congratulations to all involved.” 
Tony Stack
CEO/Director of Education (Interim)
Newfoundland and Labrador English School District

Learn More
For more information on safe and caring schools – www.ed.gov.nl.ca/edu/k12/safeandcaring/

For more information about Pink Shirt Day – www.pinkshirtday.ca/news-events/ 

Follow us on Twitter: @GovNL , @EDU_GovNL 

Ministerial Statement – Minister Recognizes Pink Shirt Day and Announces Safe and Caring Awards

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Media contacts
Debbie Marnell
Education and Early Childhood Development
709-729-1906, 699-9048
debbiemarnell@gov.nl.ca

Ken Morrissey
Newfoundland and Labrador English School District 
709-758-2371, 730-0798
kenmorrissey@nlesd.ca

BACKGROUNDER
Safe and Inclusive Awards 2018 Recipients

Eastern Region:

• Regional Project – Ascension Collegiate, Baccalieu Collegiate, Carbonear Collegiate and Crescent Collegiate – Social Justice: Family of Schools Project – $700
• Brother Rice – School-Wide PBS Stairwell Visuals – $400
• Crescent Collegiate – Pride Week – $300
• MQP – Look at Us! Teaching for Diversity and Strong Communities via Inclusive Children – $300
• St. Augustine’s – Building an Inclusive School with Lego/Breakfast – $500
• St. Edward’s School – One Step to a Better World – $400
• St. Peter’s High School – Navigating the Teen Years – $300
• Vanier – The Very Inclusive Learning Commons – $300
• Whitbourne Elementary – Whitbourne Elementary Wellness Week – $300

Central Region:

• Sprucewood Academy – Lego Wall – $600
• Riverwood Academy – Peace Week – To Increase Visibility of LGBTQ – $600
• St. Marks – Greenhouse Project – $600
• Avoca Collegiate – Future Foodies Project – $500
• Twillingate Island Elementary – Kindness Week Project – $500
• St. Anne’s School – Friends Til the End project – $500
• Lewisporte Intermediate – Delete Day-Mental Health & Wellness – $250
• Cottrell’s Cove Academy – Cougar Pride – $250

Western Region:

• Brian Peckford Primary – Champions of Inclusion – $250
• Cape John Collegiate – Get Real Presentation – $300
• Copper Ridge — Baie Verte Peninsula Mental Health Summit – $500
• E. A Butler – Get Real Presentation – $300
• Grandy’s River Collegiate – SOLE Bingo – $300
• H.G. Fillier Academy – Caught Caring – $300
• Jakeman All Grade – Building JAG Respect/Get Real Presentation – $300
• Main River Academy – Learning Commons – $150
• MSB Regional Academy – Get Real Presentation – $300
• Stephenville Middle School – PBIS Poster Design – $250
• Templeton Academy – Inclusive Environments – $250
• Viking Trail Academy – Buddy Benches – $300
• White Hills Academy – Safe and Inclusive Corner – $300

Labrador Region:

• J.R. Smallwood Middle School – School Wide PBS – $500
• Lake Melville School – Attendance Means Success – $500