SD73 Students and Staff Celebrate Pink Shirt Day

Story provided by Chelsea Isenor, Director of Communications and Board Administration

The Kamloops-Thompson School District is committed to supporting learning opportunities and environments which inspire students to thrive. The 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan outlines a commitment to supporting students to feel welcome, safe, and connected.

One important day that reinforces the values of kindness and belonging is Pink Shirt Day—a globally celebrated movement with a mission to create a more kind, inclusive world by raising awareness for anti-bullying initiatives. Every year, on the last Wednesday of February, people all over the world are encouraged to wear pink shirts to show their solidarity and stand together against bullying and harassment. 

On Wednesday, February 26, 2025, schools across the District are celebrating Pink Shirt Day with school assemblies, displays promoting kindness, anti-bullying lessons, and by wearing pink shirts.

This year’s SD73 Pink Shirt was designed by KSA student Sylas Pretula. Sylas’ love of art, nature, and bees inspired the design centered around the message “When You Can Be Anything Bee Kind.” After designing the pink shirt artwork using a sketchbook drawing app, Sylas commented, “I never thought I would see any of my digital art on something real, especially out in the school district, I think that's really cool and I’m excited to see it around.”

When asked about Pink Shirt Day’s message of kindness and anti-bullying, Sylas shared, “It's a very important message and a very important day to be recognized for diversity and inclusion. Diversity is cool.” KSA Principal Blair Lloyd added, “We’re over the moon proud of Sylas and what he has done to represent our school and promote inclusiveness for not only KSA but the entire District.” 

While students and staff across the District wear the pink shirt designed by Sylas, they’ll also be learning important lessons about anti bullying and inclusivity. 

In preparation for the day, Savona Elementary School students designed signs with positive messages to be displayed around the school. On Pink Shirt Day, students will wear pink and participate in Anti-Bullying Day lessons, Bucket-Filling and Kindness Ninja activities, and a school wide assembly about the history of Pink Shirt Day.

Kay Bingham Elementary School also created a visual display in advance of Pink Shirt Day, with eleven giant t-shirts displayed outside the library that will be filled with the little pink shirt gotcha messages by the end of the month. Students and staff will also gather for a school assembly to discuss the importance of Pink Shirt Day to help create a sense of belonging in the school.

As students and staff carry lessons of kindness and acceptance beyond Pink Shirt Day, we are reminded of the importance of living the District's core values—Relationships and Connections, Equity, and Well-being—not just today, but every day.