Students, teachers and staff across Newfoundland and Labrador are celebrating Pink Shirt Day, February 27, to bring awareness to bullying and promote kindness in schools and communities. This year’s theme is “Be Kind.”
To help establish safe and inclusive learning environments for all students, the Provincial Government is providing $12,600 shared among 30 schools through the Safe and Inclusive Schools Awards. Schools are recognized for their efforts in achieving safe, caring and inclusive learning environments, promoting positive school climates, and sustaining safe and inclusive communities. A list of award recipients for 2019 is provided in the backgrounder below.
Building an educational community in Newfoundland and Labrador that fosters safe, caring and inclusive learning environments for all children is a commitment of The Way Forward.
Support for Pink Shirt Day and the Safe and Inclusive Schools Award also delivers on commitments in The Way Forward to deliver better services and better outcomes for residents. The Way Forward outlines all actions the Provincial Government is taking to achieve a strong diversified province with a high standard of living and can be viewed at thewayforward.gov.nl.ca.
Quotes
“These awards recognize the efforts of schools in establishing and maintaining safe, caring and inclusive learning environments and promoting effective actions to create positive school climates. This is a priority for our government and is a part of our Education Action Plan. Congratulations to all of this year’s recipients and your work to ensure safe and inclusive schools.”
Honourable Al Hawkins
Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development
“Pink Shirt Day is a time for schools and the district to reinforce the message that we will not tolerate bullying and harassment in our schools – whether that be verbal, physical, via technology, or in any way whatsoever. We have made great strides in this area and, supported through Provincial Government policy and legislation, I believe we are getting closer to creating school environments where acceptance and inclusion are just part of our everyday reality.”
Tony Stack
CEO/Director of Education, Newfoundland and Labrador English School District
“To mark International Pink Shirt Day, I invite you to say NO to bullying. Take a moment to show more kindness to others on this day and every other day of the year. I encourage you to wear pink to show your commitment to prevent bullying and to educate your colleagues and friends about this important cause.”
Kim Christianson
Director of Education, Conseil scolaire francophone provincial de Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador
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Media contacts
Tina Coffey
Education and Early Childhood Development
709-729-1692, 687-9902
tcoffey@gov.nl.ca
Cheryl Gullage
Newfoundland and Labrador English School District
709-758-0032, 697-5856
cherylgullage@nlesd.ca
Kim Christianson
Conseil scolaire francophone provincial de Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador
709-722-6324
kchristianson@csfp.nl.ca
BACKGROUNDER
Safe and Inclusive Awards 2019 Recipients
Eastern Region:
- Macdonald Drive Junior High – It Takes All Kinds – GSA Conference 2019 – $700
- Cabot Academy – Getting to Know Your Emotions – Inside and Out – $375
- Carbonear Collegiate – Let Art be Your Voice – $375
- Holy Trinity High – SAGA Christmas Coffee House – $375
- Leary’s Brook – Creating a Positive School Climate – $375
- Morris Academy – Comprehensive School Health Relaxation Room – $375
- Perlwin Elementary – Zen Zone – $375
- George’s Elementary – Don’t Worry, Be Happy – $375
- Peter’s Primary – Relaxation Station – $375
Central Region:
- Point Leamington Academy – Let’s Talk – $500
- Leo Burke Academy – Collaboration Center – 400
- Bay d’Espoir Academy – Bay d’Espoir Inclusive Library Project Outcomes – $300
- R. Scammell Academy – Safe Spaces – $400
- Lakewood Academy – Pride for People – $400
- Smallwood Academy – Pride Awareness Day – $400
- Anthony Paddon Elementary – Increase Accessibility of Gardening Knowledge – $200
- Joseph’s All Grade (Terrenceville) – Student Lounge – $400
- Joseph’s Academy – Cozy Cove – $400
- Clarenville Middle School – Wellness Day – $300
Western Region:
- Cloud River Academy – Health and Wellness Week – $500
- Corner Brook Intermediate – Get REAL Presentation – $300
- Indian River High School/Valmont Academy – Health Matters 2019 – $400
- Jakeman All Grade – Jakeman’s Wellness Activities – $700
- James Cook Memorial – Painted Lady Butterfly Garden – $70
- Pasadena Elementary School – LGBTQ – Awareness & Inclusion Project – $600
- James Elementary – Project Inclusive Classroom – $500
- Peter’s Academy (Benoit’s Cove) – Choose Kind Campaign – $430
Labrador Region:
- Jens Haven – Learning Commons – $800
- R. Smallwood – Positive Behaviour Supports – $200
Conseil scolaire francophone provincial de TNL (CSFP):
- Centre educatif L’ENVOI (Lab City) – $700