Today Airdrie celebrates its fourth year participating in the Pink Shirt Day campaign.

Pink Shirt Day was started by a group of students who wanted to stand up against bullies who were making fun of a new classmate who wore pink.

All the schools in the Rocky View District are participating in events that are tailored to their age group.

Vicki Tole, Success Coach with Stepping Stones to Mental Health, worked with RVS to create a Google Document that provides activities to each school outlining relevant activities for the different grades and age groups.

At Bert Church High School where Tole does most of her work, the students are setting up a photo booth over the lunch hour to promote positive relationships.

"Take a picture with your friends and have a pink post it note saying what you're doing to stop bullying, or you wont be a by stander, or what you are doing to have a healthy relationship."

George McDougall High School as well as WH Croxford are both participating in their own activities.

"They are making a pledge and they are doing pink hand prints on a canvas and they are doing post it notes also"

By making the pledge, students agree to never bully anyone and stating that they will never stand by and watch someone else get bullied, they will lend a hand where a hand is needed.

For students in elementary and middle school there'll be an assembly as well as some other options the schools could participate in.

"Everyone wears a pink shirt and they have an activity that they can get together and write out their school name, you know with their body in the school yard. There are also different videos that the teachers have access to that they can show in their classroom, if they choose to do that."

For parents who are interested in learning about different ways to help their children with bullying issues, a course will be available Thursday evening.

Stepping Stones with Mental Health has partnered with Community Education Services (CES) providing free community education sessions.

Thursday's session will be held at Burt Church high school between 6:30 and 8:30 pm and Crystal Dittrick, Registered Provisional Psychologist will be the main speaker.

Leah Crawford - airdrienews@goldenwestradio.com