LAPS News:
October is National Bullying Prevention Month and Los Alamos Public Schools is finding ways to increase awareness of bullying and prevent bullying in our schools while promoting kindness, acceptance and inclusion.
“This year coming together in Unity is more important than ever,” LAPS Prevention Support Specialist Brandi Seekins said. “Bullying prevention starts with each one of us — our everyday words and actions can create environments where everyone is celebrated and welcomed.”
At Los Alamos Public Schools, teachers and school counselors lead classroom lessons to help students learn and practice what kindness, acceptance and inclusion look like.
In partnership with student clubs, they sponsor activities to build school community throughout the year. Some examples include Start with Hello Week, the Great Kindness Challenge, and school spirit weeks.
If students experience bullying, they are encouraged to tell a trusted adult or report through either the district’s website or, for secondary students, through the See Something, Say Something Anonymous Reporting app.
A 2019 report by the Centers for Disease Control shows that students who experience bullying are at increased risk for depression, anxiety, sleep difficulties, lower academic achievement, and dropping out of school.
National Bullying Prevention Month is a campaign in the United States founded in 2006 by PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center to unite communities nationwide to educate and raise awareness of bullying prevention.
Here are a few ways you can participate in Bullying Prevention Month:
Take the Pledge
Join the over 27,000 people worldwide who have taken the pledge to create a world without bullying through kindness, acceptance and inclusion. Take the pledge here.
Wear Orange on Unity Day
With COVID restrictions this year, we are encouraging everyone to wear orange and share photos for “Unity Day” on Wednesday, October 21st. Use the hashtags #UnityDay2020 and #UnityDayLAPS, and #UnitedforKindness to show your support.
The first Unity Day was celebrated in 2011. LAPS has recognized Unity Day districtwide every October for the past three years. Why orange? According to the PACER site, since Unity Day is held during October, orange is a color commonly identified with the month and the autumn season. It is also a color that is associated with safety and visibility. It is a color described as warm and inviting, and its vibrancy makes an impactful statement.
For more information about Unity Day, go to https://www.pacer.org/bullying/nbpm/unity-day.asp.
Check out the New Virtual LAPS Prevention Resource Room
Click around for resources and activities here.
Additional Resources
This is the portal for parents and educators to access bullying resources, including educational toolkits, awareness toolkits, contest ideas, promotional products, and more.
Created by and for teens, this website is a place for students in middle school and high school to find ways to address bullying, take action, be heard, and “own” an important social cause.
A creative, innovative, and educational website designed for elementary school students to learn about bullying prevention, engage in activities, and be inspired to take action.
