The students recited the following pledge, which Superintendent David Rabbideau read over the intercom during announcements.

PACER Center’s Kids Against Bullying Pledge:

I am a kid against bullying! And I will:

¯ Speak Up when I see bullying,

Above, Ella White students pose with a poster they made about caring, featuring colorful hot air balloons with notes to remind everyone how to be kind to others.

¯ Reach Out to others who are bullied,

¯ Be A Friend whenever I see bullying.

Students created posters, used red plastic cups to spell out “Be Kind” in the fence in front of the school, painted rocks lining sidewalks and wore orange, which is the color of Unity Day. Positive messages were posted on each student’s locker as well.

“It’s important to Ella White because it gets us thinking about how we treat others, about kindness and inclusion,” said Ella White Principal Courtney Fredlund. “It ties into our vision of ‘We raise resilient citizens’ as well.”

She added that each classroom had a book they read pertaining to kindness and standing up for what is right.

Above is a message reading “Be Kind,” created with red plastic cups in the chain-link fence on the 3rd Avenue side of Ella White.

“The PTO was a big support,” Fredlund added. “They worked with us, and that was very helpful.”

She said the kids and adults involved enjoyed the day’s activities and learning opportunities.

“It was a fun day,” Fredlund said.

Unity Day, the signature event of National Bullying Prevention Month (October), has been recognized in the U.S. since 2011. To participate in Unity Day, individuals, schools, communities, and businesses wear or display orange to show support for students who have been bullied.

To learn more about Unity Day and National Bullying Prevention Month, visit PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center at https://www.pacer.org/bullying/nbpm/unity-day.asp.