Throughout October, the Patchogue-Medford School District celebrated National Bullying Prevention Month, working to promote compassion and inclusion.
“The Patchogue-Medford School District is proud to engage students in important anti-bullying initiatives,” said Patchogue-Medford School District Interim Superintendent Lori Cannetti. “In addition to uplifting our students’ academic and extracurricular growth, we believe it is crucial to support their personal development as thoughtful and empathetic leaders. Through bullying prevention, we are engaging our students in warm and welcoming environments and cultivating a better tomorrow.”
Students participated in various activities encouraging unity, kindness, and friendship. Activities included Oregon Middle School peer leaders crafting friendship bracelets, Patchogue-Medford High School’s Next Generation wellness club partnering with ninth-grade students to create a mural of handprints in the unifying shape of a tree. Barton Elementary School students created a mural emphasizing the importance of kindness. Additionally, elementary schools received special “Start With Hello” presentations from the Suffolk County Sheriff’s office.
The month’s efforts culminated with Unity Day on October 22, during which students and staff wore orange and united to oppose bullying. South Ocean Middle School and Patchogue-Medford High School students crafted orange chain links with positive messages that were joined together in opposition to bullying. Oregon Middle School scholars designed a mural for students to sign in support of the message that there is No Place for Hate in their school.
National Bullying Prevention Month is an annual campaign implemented by PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center in 2006, initially taking place with a week of recognition. Now held throughout October and observed nationwide, National Bullying Prevention Month unites communities with the shared message of raising awareness of bullying prevention.
For more information about the Patchogue-Medford Union Free School District, please visit the District’s website at www.pmschools.org. Happenings in the District can also be followed on Facebook.