吃瓜大本营

is here, and 吃瓜大本营 continues to embrace the annual kindness campaign by  encouraging students and staff across the district to let kindness grow and put an end to bullying.

Recognized on the last Wednesday of February, Pink Shirt Day is an international anti-bullying initiative that started in 2007 after several Nova Scotia students witnessed a Grade 9 classmate get bullied for wearing a pink shirt. The students returned to school the next day wearing their own pink shirts and distributed others to the boys in the school, kicking off an international movement to take a stand against bullying, intimidation and harassment.

The annual event returns this year with a new motto, Let Kindness Grow, inspiring students to collectively raise their spirits and support one another.

吃瓜大本营 has a number of district and partner resources available, including:

• , an innovative website designed in partnership with the 吃瓜大本营 RCMP that includes an array of resources, and a tool for safe and anonymous reporting of dangerous or illegal activity, including bullying.
• , a provincial anti-bullying resource with information on online safety, mental health and well-being, racism, discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and gender-based violence.
• , a step-by-step guide for youth experiencing luring, sextortion, online sexual violence or the unwanted sharing of nude photos, including what to do (and not do), and how and where to report sexual violations.

While Pink Shirt Day is just one day out of the year, its message serves as a reminder to exemplify kindness and care towards each other year-round. For more information, visit

What to do if you or someone you know is being bullied

Bullying comes in many forms, including physical, social, verbal and online, and it's important for students, parents and staff to be aware that not all bullying is obvious or visible.

According to the , some signs to look for if you think your child or a friend is being bullied include:

• disliking school
• having few to no friends
• lack of focus
• being quiet, withdrawn or gloomy
• being difficult or argumentative
• having unexplained injuries
• low self-esteem
• becoming easily frustrated

Some students who are getting bullied may not feel comfortable talking about it, so it’s important that parents, teachers and friends maintain open communication so they may feel safe to come forward and share what they're going through.

Bystanders who witness bullying also have the power to intervene. If you see someone who being bullied or who needs help, stand up for them and reach out to a trusted adult for support.

Students are encouraged to report unsafe behaviour to trusted adults such as parents, teachers and counsellors. The district's Safe School Liaisons can provide secondary students with help if they are being harassed, and students and parents can also anonymously report unsafe or concerning incidents through the .

For more resources on bullying and other student safety issues, visit