Emporia elementary schools to participate in anti-bullying awareness week
John Giffin john@emporiagazette.com
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Due to the Kansas State Senate resolution No. 1820 that was enrolled March 8, several schools in the Emporia School District are celebrating Anti-Bullying Awareness Week this week.
The Senate Resolution addresses the affect that bullying has on education and the community, explains the need for the entire community to be involved in combating bullying and establishes the first full week of October as Anti-Bullying Awareness Week in Kansas.
October is National Anti-Bullying Awareness Month.
Bullying is defined by Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary as “to treat abusively” or to “affect by means of force or coercion.” Bullying can be done physically, verbally, socially and online.
To celebrate the first Kansas Anti-Bullying Awareness Week, four of the six Emporia Elementary Schools have scheduled spirit-week style themes for each day of the week.
Village, Walnut, Logan Avenue and Riverside Elementary schools are featuring theme days providing fun ways to highlight Anti-Bullying Awareness Week. William Allen White Elementary School will celebrate an anti-bullying week Nov. 13-20.
Timmerman, Village and Riverside Elementary Schools have kicked off the week with “Black Out Bullying” day on Monday.
“Everyone is wearing black today to show our support to black out bullying to support the ending of bullying,” Timmerman school counselor Vickie Kennett said yesterday. “This is something we choose to do for fun, to bring it to the forefront.”
Monday is the only theme day for Timmerman but for the entire week at Timmerman, different information will be read during the school announcements each day. Monday was defining bullying. Tuesday talked about the various types of bullying. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday will feature tips about what to do when faced with bullying.
“Don’t look upset. Stay calm,” said Kennett. “Don’t let them get their way. Don’t fight back or do anything mean because that will make you a bully, too.”
She continued, “The most important thing is report bullying to an adult at school or at home.”
Walnut Elementary started Monday with “Wear Red Day.” The red signifies the red of a stop sign and is a message to stop bullying. Tuesday is “Bullying Makes Us Crazy” day. Students are encouraged to wear crazy socks. Wednesday is “Pair Up Against Bullying.” Students will pair up to choose a theme and dress alike. Thursday, Walnut students will wear their favorite jerseys or sports team apparel for “Team Up Against Bullying” day. Friday is “Stand Together Against Bullying.” Students are encouraged to wear Walnut School colors red, blue or white.”
Logan Avenue Elementary School started the week with “Being a good friend is no sweat.” Students wore sweat pants to school. Today is “Bullying Is Crazy.” Students are encouraged to wear mis-matched clothes. Wednesday’s theme is “Bully-Free from our Heads to our Toes” where students will wear crazy hats and socks. Thursday is “Be a good sport” day. Logan Avenue students wear apparel from their favorite sports team. Friday is “Black Out Bullying.”
Following Monday’s “Black Out Bullying,” Village students will wear pajamas to school for “Put Bullying to Bed” today. Wednesday will be “Bullying is Crazy.” Thursday will be “Be a Good Sport” and Friday sweat pants will abound on “Being Nice to Everyone is no Sweat” day.
Riverside Elementary also started yesterday with “Black out Bullying.” Today is “Put Bullying to Bed.” Wednesday is “Bullying is Crazy.” “Be a Good Sport” is Thursday. Friday will be “Being Nice to Everyone is no Sweat.” as well as “Riverside is Sweet” day. Students will all receive a sucker.