It’s not a scarecrow, but it will ward off bullies. 60,000 Toronto students have come together to craft an 8-foot tall dove in a coat of feathers adorned with personalized anti-bullying messages. The art installation is part of the Feathers Against Bullying pilot project, a not-for-profit organization in partnership with the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) and Criteria Marketing. The group seeks to give children a way to hear and convey messages of kindness, patience, and co-operation in the community. Paper feathers were given out among the 168 participating schools, inviting the children to write poetry, draw a picture, or write a simple note.

At noon today, hundreds of students will come together in Nathan Phillips Square to erect the dove. The event will set a new Guinness World Record for the world’s largest collaborative art instillation. The wire-frame dove will stand in front of Toronto’s city hall as a quiet reminder of our community efforts towards peace.

Stop by Nathan Phillips Square at 100 Queen Street West for a bird sighting starting this this afternoon.

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Farrah Khaled is an intern at the Toronto Standard. Follow her on twitter at @farkhaly.