Anti-Bullying Presentation at Warren Middle School Spurs Act of Kindness

Information courtesy of Warren Township schools 

In a presentation that is one of many components supporting the Warren Middle School’s anti-bullying campaign. the Watchung Hills Regional High School hosted middle school students on Nov. 20 for an opportunity to hear "Ryan’s Story."  

Ryan Halligan was a Vermont middle school student who had endured ridicule and humiliation by peers.  While it began with the spoken word, the treatment developed over the years to include cyber-bullying as well. 

As a result of the loss of his son through suicide, Ryan’s father spearheaded the Vermont Bullying Prevention law which passed unanimously in just seven months. His goal was to raise awareness and spark change. Halligan visits districts like Warren to address students living in a time where bullying is more prevalent and often occurs online. 

With the advent of technology, a Pandora’s Box has opened and there are a number of new issues which children and their families have to face. The Warren school district's "Shining Brighter Every Day," part of the district strategic plan, to respond to the need for more education and prevention of bullying and cyber bullying in our society. The issue impacts students, parents, and communities at large.

During his presentation the room was silent. All eyes and ears were focused intently on Halligan as his powerful story was shared. A question and answer session followed where Warren students asked candid questions, most sharing in common an overarching theme relating to character.

The character education program at Warren Middle School is dedicated to addressing the pillars of character, but also is progressive in how it addresses many real world situations which impact children on a daily basis. 

In a world that is changing rapidly, schools and educators are raising awareness and providing children with the valuable tools they need to succeed.  

Students generate 'positive messages' the next day

In many cases, peers are also inspiring each other. Two eighth grade students approached Mrs. Melissa Kaufman, a guidance counselor at Warren Middle School, with their own special idea that they the day following the Ryan’s Story presentation. 

The students decided to spread positive messages to combat the often-ugly messages that can be found online. Their goal was to brighten the day of more 700 teens. 

Priceless looks on faces

The students wrote individual notes and attached them to each and every locker after school. The looks on the faces of the student body, as they entered the building, were priceless! 

While the students wish to remain anonymous, they provided was a valuable example of spreading hope and joy to others. Numerous Warren Middle School students taped the messages to their planners, talked about the uplifting experience, and made mention to paying it forward for friends and family. 

"One thing is for sure, Mr. Halligan would be proud..." said a writer for the school district.

As part of the school district's Strategic Plan, Warren Township Schools adopted the brand, "Shining Brighter Every Day,"  to inspire commitment to continual improvement.  

At Angelo L. Tomaso School, students are recognized for random acts of kindness. Students’ names are submitted by teachers and staff and they receive a Shining Brighter button which they are proud to wear. Additionally, Principal Kathryn Bond posts student photographs and names on a monthly bulletin board in the main foyer. Teachers and visitors to ALT can often hear students sharing what they personally did, or saw others do. Students often encourage their peers positively at ALT School!

At Central School, students are recognized by teachers, paraprofessionals, and administration for shining brightly. When students are "caught" showing kindness through their actions, their names and acts are placed on a star displayed on the Shining Brightly bulletin board in the lobby, as well as read on the morning announcements by Mrs. Patricia Morris, the guidance counselor at Central School.  

Quarterly, students who have received a star are eligible to have a breakfast hosted by Principal Janet Milita and Morris in recognition of their efforts to make Central School an amazing place to be. Recently, 15 students were randomly selected from the pool of star recipients and invited to a morning breakfast and discussion of the wonderful behaviors they contributed to the Central School learning environment.

 At Mount Horeb School, students can be nominated for a Star Gator Certificate.  In conjunction with the character education program, Principal William Kimmick and staff recognize students who demonstrate unusual acts of kindness, responsibility, caring, honesty, citizenship, or fairness. When students are nominated, their names and their act are read on the morning announcements and the nomination is posted on the office bulletin board. A certificate is then sent home for families to share in the celebration. 

At Woodland School, the entrance bulletin board is a sight that cannot be missed! Upon it is written a poem, “Star light, star bright…” where a slew of stars rise up from the bulletin board to reach and cover the ceiling. When recognized, individual students write their own name on a star and a staff member records the student’s specific actions.  

Principal Christopher Huss then announces how students shine brighter every day, and they get a special bracelet as well. As you walk through the halls at Woodland it is easy to see even more connections on the walls inside and outside of classrooms, including special area classes like art and computers.

At Warren Middle School, students watch the WMS News on a weekly basis. At the start of the school year, Schools Superintendent Tami Crader introduced the brand to the middle school students and it continues to be highlighted via Mr. Scott Cook’s news segment, aptly named Shining Brighter Every Day. Warren Middle School seizes each and every moment to promote students and their good decisions. 

In his segment, Cook shares a list of names accompanied with stories about what students have done. Recent shares include students cleaning up a water spill in the hall to ensure safety, peers helping new students get to and from classes, and a wonderfully proud moment by two anonymous eighth graders. These girls hand-wrote over 700 post-it notes, with a kind saying on each, so that every middle school student could be greeted in the morning with a phrase that would make them smile. It is believed that small, random acts of kindness can be very powerful and uplifting for anyone!