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Purple Friday.
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 may be themselves and that no one may be bullied or excluded for this reason. special attention is given to acceptance of sexual and gender diversity. this day encourages an inclusive atmosphere where respect and accepting each other are central.
The COC, an organization committed to a diverse and inclusive society, has lesson packages for (primary) schools, specially made for purple friday. At secondary schools 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 mbo.
Purple friday at primary school
Since 2019 purple friday is held at primary schools. schools can use the purple friday lesson package from the COC. this package focuses on creating a safe school environment. it contains a picture book, a lesson letter, poems, tips and information to support teachers in their lessons.
Some schools organize a moment when parents can view the teaching materials. schools sometimes also choose to inform parents in a letter about purple friday. The primary school can ask your child to come to school in purple clothes. of course, that is not necessary. your child mainly has to come in clothes that he or she feels comfortable in.
Purple friday at secondary school or mbo
Often students and teachers organize purple friday at secondary school and mbo themselves. Many schools have a gender & sexuality alliance. a gender & sexuality alliance has 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 for example, hands out purple wristbands or gives a presentation about diversity. they can also ask your child to come to school in purple clothes. of course, that is not necessary. your child mainly has to come in clothes that he or she feels comfortable in.
Talking with your child about diversity
On purple friday you can talk with your child about diversity. 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 it together. reading a book together is of course also possible. there are books with different themes around diversity for children at primary school and secondary school.
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 diversity and gender diversity. Lgbtq+ students are bullied more often 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 the class, with fellow students and as a parent with your child.
Not yet purple friday at your child’s school?
Schools are required to pay attention to (sexual) diversity in their curriculum, but they decide themselves how to do it. If your child’s school does not pay attention to it but you would like this, talk to your child’s teacher and the school principal.
Think ahead about how you would like purple friday to be noticed. There are different lesson packages the school can use. Discuss together how the school can shape this day and give attention to diversity.
I have trouble with purple friday
If you do not agree with the way purple friday is paid attention to at school, talk to your child’s teacher or the school principal. In the conversation you can ask for more information about the content of the lessons on purple friday.
The school is not obliged to share the teaching materials, but they must give information about how they pay attention to diversity. The COC lesson material about purple friday is public and you can read it online.
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