It’s usually a bad thing when a student has to spend more time with the principal.
But on Wednesday, the class that wore the most pink at Claude E. Garton Public School got extra recess time with principal Todd Miller. The international Day of Pink is an easy way to fight against bullying, discrimination and homophobia in schools and communities. “(And) making sure all kids feel accepted and included at school,” Miller said.
Students who didn’t wear pink were offered pink bandannas to participate. Miller said in his three years as principal, he’s seen an increase in the amount of students celebrating diversity at the school. Boys are even starting to wear pink on days that aren’t the Day of Pink. “It’s a minor thing but that’s a really important step as well,” he said.
The younger a child is taught to celebrate acceptance, the sooner they’ll start to understand it Miller said. “They grow up understanding that we are all the same and we are all different at the same time,” he said.
Grade eight student Jacqueline Dube, 13, is part of the school’s social justice club, which organized the day’s activities. She said it’s important that students know that it’s OK to be different. The club helps with that. “It’s important to be part of the community really and help out,” she said.
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