This week’s #ocsbFridayFeeling was a powerful reminder that kindness can change everything.
Our schools joined communities across Canada to mark Pink Shirt Day, a uniquely Canadian movement that began with a simple act of courage. When two Grade 12 students saw a younger student being bullied for wearing a pink shirt, they bought dozens of pink shirts and encouraged others to wear them in solidarity. That small decision grew into a national call to stand up against bullying and stand up for one another.
In our classrooms and hallways, students learned that bullying can take many forms. It can be physical, verbal, or online. It can look like exclusion, teasing, or harmful messages. This week, students did more than wear pink. They talked openly about empathy and inclusion. They reflected on strategies to respond safely and confidently. They created murals and messages filled with hope and encouragement. They reminded one another that asking for help is a sign of strength, and that standing beside someone who feels alone can make a lasting difference.
Pink Shirt Day is not only about preventing bullying. It is about protecting mental health. It is about creating school communities where students feel safe, supported, and connected. When young people know they belong, they are more likely to thrive.
This week, pink was more than a colour. It was a commitment to kindness, courage, and care for one another.
