North Vancouver School District
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Pink Shirt Day

February 23, 2016

Policy412SurveyPoster.jpgExpect Respect and a Safe Education:   

On Wednesday, February 24, 2016, we encourage everyone to wear something pink to show that we are all working together to prevent bullying in our schools, in our communities, and online. 

Nine-years ago, two Nova Scotia teens donned pink T-shirts in support of a Grade 9 boy who was tormented when he wore a pink shirt to school.  Since then, with the promotional heft of CKNW behind it, Pink Shirt Day in BC has become synonymous with anti-bullying initiatives across Canada. 

Schools in the North Vancouver School District will participate in Pink Shirt Day initiatives.  Wear something pink and show your support for safe learning environments for all students. 

ERASE / Expect Respect and a Safe Education is a comprehensive prevention and intervention strategy designed to address bullying and harmful behaviours in schools.  Learn more about ERASE.

 

On Pink Shirt Day, the North Vancouver School District is launching a Survey in Support of Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Gender Diversity.  The School District seeks input from LGBTQ+ students and their parents/guardians, as well as LGBTQ+ parents/guardians, and staff who identify as LGBTQ+, about their experiences within the School District.

The confidential survey is available here.  Print copies will be available in the Counselling Offices in all North Vancouver Secondary Schools.  The survey will remain open until Monday, April 4, 2016. 

A committee of parents, students, teachers, and administrators will be reviewing the survey results and using them to update Board Policy 412: Homophobia.  The goal of the committee is to make sure that the experiences of LGBTQ+ members of the school community help inform and guide the revisions to Policy 412.  At a later stage in the process, all parents, students, and staff will have an opportunity to provide feedback on suggested revisions to Board Policy 412

If you have questions, please contact Vince White, District Principal of Inclusive Education, at vwhite@sd44.ca, or Carolyn Pena, President of the North Vancouver Teachers' Association, at carolyn@nvta.ca .