A Student View

Jenks Students Share Thoughts on Bullying Prevention

Students Saliya Harris, Gabriella Alexandar, Theo Baber, and Edwin Santiago talk about standing up for one another

Posted 10/28/21

October is Bully Prevention Month.  Our nation and its schools spent the month spreading the message about bullying, the effects of bullying, and what can be done to prevent it. Some students talk about standing up for one another

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A Student View

Jenks Students Share Thoughts on Bullying Prevention

Students Saliya Harris, Gabriella Alexandar, Theo Baber, and Edwin Santiago talk about standing up for one another

Posted

October is Bully Prevention Month.  Our nation and its schools spent the month spreading the message about bullying, the effects of bullying, and what can be done to prevent it. Bullying is a nationwide concern that crosses all races, social-economic brackets, and genders. Bullying is defined as intentional acts of harm with an imbalance of power that is targeted and intentional.

John Story Jenks Academy for the Arts and Sciences celebrated Bullying Prevention Month with many activities.  On Wednesday, October 20, the students and staff launched National Unity Day to promote kindness, acceptance, and inclusion by wearing orange.  Each student at Jenks signed an anti-bullying compact.

“We promised to stand up for each other and help classmates who may feel they are being bullied” reports Theo Baber, 6th grade.  Edwin Santiago, also in 6th grade said, “If you or anyone else you see is being bullied, you can tell a teacher, parent, guardian, or any trusted adult that you/someone is being bullied”. Bullying is bad for the community, and it can cause those that are impacted to be withdrawn, so if you see someone being bullied you can stand up for them. “

Daily activities are also being done at Jenks to promote kindness and anti-bullying. Our school created a kindness game and made a school-wide unity tree with positive messages on every leaf of the tree.  These activities will culminate with an assembly highlighting the Jenks core values and anti-bullying.  Autumn Heath from 3rd grade said, “To prevent bullying I would intervene and stand up for anyone who feels hurt.” 

Throughout the school year Jenks students embrace the core values of being caring, responsible, and reflective to bring awareness to bullying prevention and to build school community.  Sixth grader Gabriella Alexander said, “I think this month can help students live up to our school mission of being caring, responsible, and reflective to our maximum ability.”  Every morning the mission statement is read, and the core values are highlighted.  

We honor students in monthly assemblies with Students of the Month Awards for exemplifying these core values.  At Jenks, we are caring by showing forgiveness and supporting our classmates.  “The teachers often show caring by working with us if we are struggling,” Gabriella says. “To show that I’m caring when my classmates need support, I help them get back on their feet” reported 2nd grader Nur Rainy.  Saliya Harris goes on to say about the students, “we all play together at recess and very rarely is there an argument.” 

Jenks students are also responsible.  Edwin Santiago says Jenks students are responsible because “we take pride in our work and our school.” This year we are also focusing on being reflective.  To be a reflective student means “to look back on your actions and realize what you did wrong, and how you can make it better next time.” said Theo Baber. As our principal, Mrs. Scioli says, “Be proud of yourself and always do the right thing, even when no one is watching.”