By Jo Mathis/AAPS District News
Schools across the country observe this month are taking many approaches to National Bullying Prevention Month.
Many middle schools have taken on the Heroes in the Hallway initiative, including Slauson Middle School, which has adapted the theme to fit the Slauson culture.
Seventh grade counselor Kevin Chung is a Hallway Hero:
Principal Lisa Anglin says the goal is for students to individually and collectively explore ways to stand up against bullying.
“School and community resources will be shared with students throughout the month by teachers, counselors, and staff,” Anglin says. “During advisory classes, students will have the opportunity to discuss anti-bullying and share strategies. Students will also be able to express these views creatively through an Anti-Bullying Door Decorating Contest this month. We hope to empower students to take a stand against bullying and to become even more knowledgeable about how to confront challenging social situations at the middle school level.”
Every Wednesday in October, all Slauson staff will wear their Hero in the Hallway shirts, which were designed by art teacher Jason Treece. The idea is to promote safe hallway conduct and student awareness around anti-bullying activity.
“Mr. Treece created our logo and we are applying the concept of being a hero to our PBIS matrix,” says Anglin, referring to the Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports matrix of being respectful, responsible, safe, and caring. “During the month of October, we will emphasize the importance of being heroic in our school as students and staff when confronting bullying in our halls, in the cafeteria, during free time such as lunch or advisory recess, and on social media.”
Slauson has recognized October as Anti-Bullying month in the past, but this is its first year incorporating the Heroes in the Hallway initiative.
Math teacher Diane Grant and paraprofessional Jen Siemiesz show their support.
This is s wonderful idea. Students need to understand just what behaviors constitute bullying and be willing to see it in themselves, their home, their school and community. It is a very big problem in an age of entitlement and minimal expectations for taking responsibility. Having the courage to speak out is rare but if the consequences, often very hurtful and sometimes dire or fatal, are understood, perhaps we can have a shift towards kindness and generosity of spirit towards one another despite the sometimes poor adult modeling. Thanks for your efforts and I wish you all the very best of success on this project.