Pasadena Unified’s ‘Week of Kindness’ Anti-Bullying Campaign



In partnership with the Pasadena Youth Council, Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) student leaders are sponsoring the “Week of Kindness,” October 19-23, 2015, an anti-bullying campaign that challenges students to appreciate differences and raise awareness about the damaging effects of bullying in person or through the use of technology. October has been recognized as Anti-Bullying Awareness Month by PUSD’s Board of Education.

“Bullying is a communitywide issue and students, families, and educators all have a role in addressing and changing situations that affect the culture of a school,” said Eric Sahakian, Executive Director of PUSD’s Child, Welfare, Attendance and Safety Department. “We recognize our responsibility to encourage positive behaviors and ensure safe and emotionally secure learning environments. Students are challenging all of us to lead by example.”

Activities during the “Week of Kindness” include encouraging students to wear teal wristbands available at high schools or teal attire as a sign of support, sending messages of appreciation or praise to other students, observing a moment of silence for victims of violence, and signing pledges to stop cyberbullying.

Anti-bullying activities are supported year-round at PUSD schools via the national Safe Schools Ambassador program, which was initiated at six district schools during the 2014-2015 school year. Students are recruited for the program based upon their position and influence among peers, good communication skills, and a history of standing up for their friends. They are trained to resolve conflicts, defuse incidents, and to support isolated and excluded students. Small group Ambassador meetings are led by adult mentors to provide further training and intervention.

PUSD has also implemented the Response to Intervention (RtI) system at all campuses, which involves establishing proactive schoolwide and classroom positive behavioral expectations, and, when necessary, evidence-based interventions. Interventions are targeted to address and correct behaviors early on using a team approach that includes the students, parents, teachers, and other staff.

Also in October, district middle schools are using Second Step, a social emotional curriculum that teaches and models essential communication, coping, and decision-making skills to help adolescents navigate common pitfalls such as peer pressure, substance abuse, and bullying. The curriculum, which has been successful in helping students stay in school, make good choices, and experience social and academic success, is funded by the School Climate Transformation grant awarded to PUSD.

Students, staff and community members can anonymously report bullying or threats by texting the phrase “tip PUSD” and a description of the incident to 888777.

For more information about the Week of Kindness, visit http://cityofpasadena.net/humanservices/pasadena_youth_council/

Stay connected to the Pasadena Unified School District! Visit us online at www.pusd.us; follow us on Twitter @PasadenaUnified, www.twitter.com/PasadenaUnified; like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PasadenaUnifiedSchoolDistrict; text PUSD to 888777; and subscribe to our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/klrnpasadena. Or call the Communications Office, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday at (626) 396-3606.

 

 

 

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