In the hallways. In the cafeteria. On the bus. In the locker room. In class, when the teacher does not hear. The fact is- NAMES HURT! And during the week of February 14th through February 18th, Onteora High School did something about it.
No Name-Calling Week, a nationally recognized week to create awareness of the damages of name-calling and bullying in schools, consisted of a variety of activities for students and staff at the High School. Each student and staff member received a “No Name-Calling Week” pen at the start of the week. Using these pens, students submitted quotes expressing their feelings on name-calling and bullying, which were read on the morning announcements, scrolled on the school’s television station, and appeared on the electronic sign outside the High School. Classes created essays, poems, and raps about the damage bullying and name-calling can do. Students took photos, and created anti-bullying videos, which were played on the school’s television station. Anti-bullying and name-calling posters were made by students and displayed on every hallway throughout the school.
High school staff spoke out against name-calling and bullying by recording a “No Name-Calling” public service announcement, which can be found on the school’s website. Students and staff signed a “No Name-Calling Pledge,” making a promise to stand up to bullying and name-calling; these pledges are posted outside the cafeteria for all to see. The week culminated with the distribution of “Badges of Kindness;” tie-dyed cloths worn by students and staff symbolizing the diversity of our school community, which is to be celebrated every day.
Mr. Edelman, Ms. Robertson, and Ms. O’Connor judged all the students’ work on Friday, and prizes were awarded. These works will also be submitted to a state-wide contest at the end of the month.
This week of activities was met with enthusiasm by both students and staff, and was a huge success. The challenge now: to make every week “No Name-Calling Week!”
~ Lynn Battista