October is National Bullying Prevention Month, an effort to bring awareness to school communities about the effects of bullying and how to prevent it. With Restorative Practices at the center of each of the six Baltimore Curriculum Project (BCP) neighborhood conversion charter schools, BCP educators and staff create a safe, supportive learning environment. BCP school cultures embrace positivity, inclusiveness, and respect—qualities necessary to prevent and deflect bullying behaviors.
Govans Elementary School’s (GES) month-long recognition of National Bullying Prevention Month began on October 10, with all students taking the Bullying Prevention Pledge. “This pledge is a commitment to creating a safe space for all,” explains Samantha Haas St. Germain, GES school counselor who developed GES’ schoolwide program for this month in collaboration with the Student Wellness Support Team (SWST).
Prevention is key! Preventing bullying starts with education, empathy, and connection. We teach students to recognize bullying behaviors, to speak up when they see or experience them, and to support others by reaching out to those who may need a friend.
When students signed the pledge, they also traced their hands on colored paper to create an anti-bullying mural. This artwork, displayed prominently in the main hallway, is a colorful reminder of the shared commitment among the GES community to treat each other with empathy, kindness, and respect.
Ms. St. Germain provided resources to teachers to share anti-bullying messages, including GES staff reading books about bullying:
Ms. Silber reading The Three Bully Goats
Ms. St. Germain reading Lucy and the Bully
On October 22, Unity Day, a national event sponsored by the National Bullying Prevention Center, the GES school color of green turned orange, the official color of Unity Day. “We make it our mission to build a culture of kindness and inclusion where bullying has no place,” reflects Ms. St. Germain on the school’s program.
Pimlico Elementary / Middle School hosted an anti-bullying poetry contest entitled, The Bullying Prevention Month Poetry Challenge. Ma’Kiyah White and Jade Holliday are the winners (see poems below).
“We are proud of how these students have exemplified The Pimlico Way by using the power of words to stand up against bullying and inspire others to do the same,” says
Jocelyn Dowling, PEMS School Counselor.
Poem by Ma’Kiyah:
Bullying was never ok but theory did it anyway
They wanted to be cool but it just made them look
Like a fool, and they always say “sticks and stones
May break my bones but words will never hurt me” but
Words hurt too and they hurt more than you
Think they do but you think its cool; but it was
Never cool outside in home or at school
Because you never know what someone’s going
Through, and to you it may be funny but
That kid goes home crying noses running
Bullying has a deeper meaning than you think
So sit there and let it sink, you’re hurting
Someone, what have they done you don’t know
Right, and this causes them to cry day and
Night, but if you wanna do the right thing
Everyday follow the Pimlico way.
Poem by Jade:
Helping is a POWER, not just a Choice
Wake up feeling strong
Get to school, just walking along
You hear the chitter-chatter of those around you
You feel the tension of their eyes burning through
Something feels wrong
You don’t feel like you belong
You hear the click-clack and tick-tack of their phone screens
And their laughing? What is happening? What does this mean?
Just because someone is doing something,
Doesn’t mean you have to go laugh along
You will have better friends if you hold strong
Rather than to listen to their manipulative songs
You see her not giving a reaction
But yet, you just let it happen
“Bystander, open your mouth!
Bystander, say it loud!
Bystander, you’re letting it go south!
Bystander,stand proud!
This problem is burnt out.”
Upstander:Tell them this is not right
Tell them talking works you don’t have to fight.
Change the fate and make it right.
Make darkness see the light.
Upstander: hand it your hand tell it
“It’s gonna be alright
I got your back
I won’t cause a fright.”
Do you see it now?
Do you see a frown?
No.
It shouts – aloud.
With the pain you’ve given it –
It turns it into Strength.
You finally see,
What’s within.
You thought you could break it
because it was thin.
But now you see
you cannot win
with your meanness all in.
It’s time for Perseverance.
Fight those feelings of betrayal.
For those you know can’t scream or yell.
We don’t need to go with everyone else.
WE, can rebel
WE, can be ourselves
It’s time for Perseverance.
Give them the Relief
Of not having to bow down to their knee
Spare them the grief.
Now they see that they are not the chief.
Bullying is not cool.
Kindness is the tool
Listen to me.
Helping is a POWER, not just a Choice
use your voice with kindness REJOICE.