An anti-bullying symbol torn down from a fence at Porter Street elementary school over the Christmas break will be re-installed, says the boy who initiated the project.
Grade 5 student Josh Eisner said he hopes the community will join him in putting back the hundreds of hand-painted wooden pink t-shirts that were painted in February 2011 for Pink Shirt Day and put up by the school community last May to remind students not to bully one another.
"I'm hoping somebody might want to help out and get the [anti-bullying] message out," said Eisner, 10, as he surveyed the damage.
He said the installation was supposed to be an anti-bullying reminder for students and it worked. "They're just playing with each other, having fun and laughing," said Eisner, who has been involved in anti-bullying campaigns at the school for three years.
The adults who've helped with the project also would like to see the wooden t-shirts reinstalled. Eisner's mom, Denise, said she would like to see them moved to a more visible location.
"We should band together as a community and take care of these messages that we're trying to get across," Denise said.
Principal Brent Pattison would like them back up as well. He said he was sad to see so many taken down; some were even broken but were later placed in plastic bags by a Good Samaritan and left at the front door.
Pattison said he doesn't want to focus on the act of vandalism but would rather see some positive action taken.
"I would like to see a picture of them repairing it," Pattison said.
Anyone interested in helping can email [email protected]
This year, Pink Shirt Day takes place Feb. 29.
