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Paarse vrijdag.
Every second friday of december is purple friday. What does this day stand for? Why does this day exist? And how can schools pay attention to it? We tell you more about it.
What is purple friday?
The meaning of purple friday is that everyone can be themselves and no one may be bullied or excluded for it. There is special attention for accepting sexual and gender diversity. This day encourages an inclusive atmosphere where respect and accepting each other are central.
The COC, an organization working for a diverse and inclusive society, has lesson packages for (primary) schools, made especially for purple friday. In secondary school and the mbo, students often organize purple friday themselves.
When is purple friday?
Purple friday is always on the second friday in december. It takes place at primary schools, secondary education and the mbo.
Purple friday at primary school
Since 2019, purple friday has been held at primary school. Schools can use the purple friday lesson package from the COC. This lesson package focuses on creating a safe school environment. It contains a picture book, lesson notes, poems, tips and information to support teachers in their lessons.
Some schools organize a moment where parents can view the lesson material. Schools sometimes also choose to inform parents by letter about purple friday. The primary school can ask your child to come to school in purple clothes. Of course, this is not necessary. Your child should mainly wear clothes they feel comfortable in.
Purple friday at secondary school or at the mbo
Often, students and teachers organize purple friday themselves at secondary school and the mbo. Many schools have a gender & sexuality alliance. In a gender & sexuality alliance are students who have questions about gender or sexuality, and students who support their LGBTQ+ schoolmates (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer).
The gender & sexuality alliance decorates the hall, gives out purple wristbands or gives a presentation about diversity. They can also ask your child to come to school in purple clothes. Of course, this is not necessary. Your child should mainly wear clothes they feel comfortable in.
Talk with your child about diversity
On purple friday, you can talk with your child about diversity. For example, does your child know children with two mothers or two fathers? Or is your child in a class with other children who have doubts about their gender identity or sexuality?
Purple friday can be a good moment to talk about this together. You can also read a book. There are books with different themes about diversity for children at primary schools and secondary schools.
Why purple friday?
A safe school environment is important for everyone. Here, every child can develop well. On purple friday, school pays positive attention to sexual and gender diversity. LGBTQ+ students are bullied more than their heterosexual classmates.
The word ‘gay’ as an insult still occurs a lot at schools and the number of suicides among LGBTQ+ youth is almost five times higher than average. Purple friday is a moment to talk about these topics in class, with classmates and as a parent with your child.
Not yet purple friday at your child’s school?
It is mandatory for schools to pay attention to sexual diversity in their lessons, but they decide how to do this themselves. If your child’s school does not pay attention to it yet but you want it, talk with your child’s teacher and the school director.
Think beforehand how you want purple friday to be noticed. There are different lesson packages available that the school can use. Discuss together how the school can shape this day and pay attention to diversity.
I have issues with purple friday
If you do not agree with how purple friday is done at school, talk with your child’s teacher or the school director. In this talk, you can ask for more information about the content of the lessons on purple friday.
The school is not required to share the lesson material, but they must give information about how they pay attention to diversity. The lesson material from the COC about purple friday is public and you can read it online.
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