Rainbow Schools Wear Pink on September 17th for Stand Up Against Bullying Day

Staff and students in Rainbow Schools will wear pink on Thursday, September 17, 2026 as Rainbow District School Board marks the start of the school year with a focus on safe schools.

“Wearing pink is an important reminder that we all have a role to play in maintaining schools where kindness and respect come first,” said Chair David Farrow.

He added: “In Rainbow Schools, we not only prepare students for success in life, we also help to shape compassionate, responsible and caring citizens who make a positive contribution to their school communities and the world in which they live and learn.”

“When students feel safe, supported and welcomed, they develop a strong sense of belonging at school,” said Chief Executive Officer Bruce Bourget. “Belonging is fundamental to well-being and provides a foundation for student success.”

CEO Bourget invites parents/guardians, education partners and community members to join staff and students in Rainbow Schools in wearing pink on September 17, 2026.

“When we all wear pink, it sends a positive message that the entire community values safe and inclusive schools,” he said. “It demonstrates to students that there is a strong circle of care supporting them in Sudbury, Espanola and Manitoulin Island.”

Rainbow District School Board’s commitment to student success is reflected in its Strategic Directions through its mission: “Together, we prepare students to become lifelong learners, achieving their full potential as confident, caring members of society.”

Strategic Directions includes ten values that are modeled, taught and expected in Rainbow Schools. The Seven Grandfather Teachings – Humility, Bravery, Honesty, Wisdom, Truth, Respect, Love – are braided together with Resilience, Equity and Community.

“Our values provide the building blocks for ongoing character development throughout the school year,” said CEO Bourget. “Character development programs and activities in Rainbow Schools complement the Board’s Code of Conduct, which promotes responsibility, respect, civility and academic excellence in a safe learning and teaching environment.”

“Stand Up Against Bullying Day” began in Nova Scotia where secondary school students Travis Price and David Shepherd arranged for dozens of their classmates to wear pink shirts in support of another student who had been bullied for wearing pink. The Province of Nova Scotia subsequently declared the second Thursday at the start of every school year to be “Stand Up Against Bullying Day”.

The actions of these two young men, along with their fellow students who wore pink to school in support of another student, reverberated across Canada and in Rainbow Schools. Rainbow District School Board’s Parent Involvement Committee championed the cause.

Trustees unanimously endorsed the following motion and continue to support and encourage this positive initiative: “That Rainbow District School Board declare the second Thursday of each new school year commencing September 11, 2008 as ‘Stand Up Against Bullying Day’. Further, we encourage all Rainbow students and staff to conduct activities that day to increase awareness and to support action and, to wear something pink to demonstrate their support and commitment to ending bullying in our schools and communities.”

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Media Contact:

Nicole Charette, Senior Advisor,
Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning,
Rainbow District School Board, 705-674-3171, ext. 7217.