No Name Calling at Central Boulevard School
(Story and photo by Kris Denenberg, Syntax)

Students and staff at Bethpage School District's Central Boulevard Elementary School (CBS) are sending a message to each other and their community that they will not tolerate bullying. The school recently participated in “No Name-Calling Week.” Inspired by a national campaign to tackle verbal bullying, the program strives to educate students and promote tolerance of one another.

With the help of Sarah Glassman, LCSW, CBS School Social Worker and the Central Boulevard Character Education Committee, the school-wide project has proven to a great success. Various educational activities were created and organized to teach students different ways to handle name-calling and bullying behavior. “We want to them understand and recognize the impact of their words,” shared Ms. Glassman. “ Not only is it important for us to join together in our anti-bullying efforts, but it is equally important for us to show children what we have in common as human beings and to teach them the values of equality and tolerance. This important program is a way to further promote a culture of kindness and good character, and to complement our continuing bullying prevention and character education efforts.”

During a kickoff assembly, students were educated and energized with a presentation by Ms. Glassman and Principal Steve Furrey. Attending faculty and staff showed their support for the program by wearing t-shirts decorated by hand with slogans promoting kindness. Throughout the week students dressed according to fun themes supporting the cause including: United we stand for a bully-free land (red-white-blue), Put a “CAP” on bullying and name-calling (a favorite hat), We are all different, and that's a good thing! (mismatched clothing), and Get in the spirit of ending name-calling and bullying (school-spirit colors). In addition, students created colorful posters and inspiring essays and pledged to “Stomp Out” bullying by signing their names to sneaker shaped cutouts. All of these creations, including the teachers t-shirts, have been on display in the school's hallways to remind each passerby of their important role in putting an end to bullying.