Members of the North Bay Battalion are continuing their work to help Near North District School Board (NNDSB) in anti-bullying efforts.
Pink Shirt Day is an international anti-bullying initiative held the last Wednesday of February that raises awareness about bullying in schools, workplaces, homes and online. This year, members of the Battalion met with students in Grades 7 and 8 at West Ferris Secondary School and gave a Pink Shirt Day presentation, followed by fun activities with students.
Before the visit, students had the opportunity to design and create their own Pink Shirt Day logos. Grade 7 and 8 students at Parry Sound High School, Chippewa Secondary. School and F.J. McElligott Secondary School were also being provided with pink shirts.
On March 8, the North Bay Battalion will focus on positive character traits during its game against the Owen Sound Attack. NNDSB students’ character cards will be displayed in the foyer, Sunset Park Public School’s Royals will be singing the national anthem, and NNDSB families can get discount pricing to this game through this link using the promo code SCHOOLS.
Bullying awareness and prevention tie into the curriculum for both grades.
The Grade 7 curriculum includes learning about personal safety and injury prevention (including the benefits and dangers of technology and the impact of bullying/harassment including bullying based on sexual orientation) and human development and sexual health (including relationship changes and consent).
Grade 8 areas of focus include assessing situations for potential danger in person and online, and the impact of violent behaviours and supports. In human development and sexual health, students learn about gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, knowing and appreciating oneself, healthy relationships and considerations related to intimacy and consent, and mental health literacy, in the form of societal views and the impact of stigma.
The North Bay Battalion has created this video about its anti-bullying work with NNDSB students.
The board is grateful for the mentorship of North Bay Battalion players, and their willingness to be role models for younger students. This is yet another example of NNDSB’s commitment to excellence and relationship, one of the four pillars of the board’s multi-year strategic plan.