This week at Minnewasta School in Morden, Guidance Counselor and Grade Two Teacher Laura Thwaites has gone to each classroom to read books and to talk with students about Pink Shirt Day. While yesterday was the International Day of Pink, Thwaites said the school was unable to recognized Pink Shirt Day in February with all the I Love to Read and staff appreciation activities in the school. Pink Shirt Day coincided with International Day of Pink that also focuses on inclusion and the acceptance of others.
This year's theme for the school was inclusion, focusing on the beauty of diversity and Thwaites said the kids were so excited.
Grade 4 student, Tristan explained what his class learned about the day.
"I'm here to talk about Pink Shirt Day and Pink Shirt Day started because people were bullying this kid who was wearing pink. So, one day people bought pink shirts and then the boys had to stop it. I think it was a good idea because bullying is not ok because people have the right to wear whatever they want."
Also in Grade 4, Kaebrie agreed and went as far to say that there is no such thing as boy and girl colours and that it is rude to bully others for what they choose to wear.
She explained a bit about the book the "Invisible Boy" written by Trudy Ludwig Thwaites had read to the class.
"There's a guy named Brian. There are these other people who needed more attention. No one ever played with him, talked to him, he was very quiet. Until one day, there was this new guy named Justin and he asked him to play with him and to sit with him at lunch. The Invisible Boy started off gray and then at the end, he was colourful because he was happy."
She said sometimes she feels invisible but feels better when someone asks her to play, she feels happy and not alone anymore.
Grade 4 student Olivia agreed.
"What makes me happy when I feel invisible is when someone asks me to play or someone just makes me feel happy." adding when others feel sad, she feels sad too.
She had some advice for people to help others feel included.
"Saying kind words that will help them feel not left out."
Felix is also in grade four and had some encouragement for those who feel invisible or left out.
"I just want to say that when things get tough, you can't run. All that matters is if you really care. And even though lots of stuff gets tough, you should still try. It's basically a matter of trying to play with someone. You always have to try and ask because if you don't ask, you don't know anything, so you always have to ask."
He also recognized the role others play to help those who are sad and feeling left out.
"You could ask them to play with you and it'll just change their lives and yours."
Thwaites said kids are excited each year for this day and like to see the differences in each other and learn about people. When a new student comes to the school from another country, they are excited because they want to learn about them and make sure their country's flag is on the fence outside the school.
She has organized Pink Shirt Day for approximately eight years.
"I see a difference in them. When I go into the classroom, the first thing I say is, 'What is Pink Shirt Day?' When I used to say that maybe one kid would know what it was. But now, the majority of kids know what it is. They know the history behind it. They know why we do it. They're excited about it and they really focus on kindness. And if we can spread kindness throughout the world, we wouldn't have an issue with bullying anymore. That's kind of what they follow, and they do it all year long. We have a great group of students here that are just kind kids."