Youngsters participate in Pink Shirt Day

Catholic elementary schools emphasize friendship and mutual respect

Pink-clad students at St. Patrick's School in Maple Ridge learn about respect during the provincial anti-bullying day. "Bullying behaviours are a direct result of a lack of understanding of the importance of respect for one another," said Clive Heah, principal at St. Patrick's. (Photo: Clive Heah / Special to The B.C. Catholic)

Elementary schools across the archdiocese organized various activities in recognition of the provincial Anti-Bullying Day or Pink Shirt Day. Here is what some of the young students did Feb. 27:

The focus of Pink Shirt Day at Star of the Sea Catholic School was on respect. "Respect is one of our three core values at Star of the Sea, along with Reverence and Responsibility," said Grade 4 teacher Joanna D'Mello.

Donning pink shirts saying "Respect starts here," D'Mello's class created short skits similar to the Pink Shirt Day public service announcements on TV. "Our theme was to show that respect starts with us, and with that concept and value we can abolish bullying by treating each other with love," explained D'Mello.

For full story, see The B.C. Catholic website.