October is National Anti-Bullying Month

In recognition of October as National Anti-Bullying Month, the San Mateo County Board of Education and the San Mateo County Superintendent of Schools launched a countywide anti-bullying and civility initiative called RESPECT! 24/7 that aims to end bullying, prioritize respect and civility, and strengthen a thriving and diverse San Mateo County.

The San Mateo County Office of Education and its RESPECT! 24/7 partners urge communities across San Mateo County to create, sponsor, and participate in their own local RESPECT! 24/7 activities.

“Together, let us promote safe, positive, and respectful schools and communities, free of meanness, bullying, harassment, discrimination, and violence,” writes San Mato County superintendent Anne Campbell in a letter to all the county's principals.

To participate, on Monday this week Cabrillo School students wore blue World Day of Bullying Prevention t-shirts to show their solidarity with stomping out bullying. The administration took a school-wide photo with the children in their blue shirts on the schoolyard. The Cabrillo leadership class organized the day and activities to go with it.

Teachers at Pacifica schools can also have their students attend a free screening in a local theater of the 98-minute documentary "Bully" by director Lee Hirsh Oct. 16-25.

The Bully Project and the 1 Million Kids Initiative is brings the film "Bully" to young people and their educators in San Mateo County in order to improve school climate and promote caring, inclusive school communities that emphasize respect for all.

Interested teachers need to fill out a form and send to Karen Williams of the San Mateo County Office of Education at kwilliams@smcoe.k12.ca.us. The San Mateo County Office of Education will work with each school’s contact person to coordinate transportation, permission slips, seat reservations, parent communication, and teacher training.

Also on Oct. 26, schools can meet up with "Bully" director Lee Hirsch and featured student, Alex Libby. A panel discussion with San Mateo County students, teachers, and community leaders will also be part of the agenda. The location is yet to be determined but select tickets are available in school districts and San Mateo County Public Libraries.

There’s also a screening of "Bullying: Culture of Silence," a documentary by Sunnie McFadden-Curtis, Oct. 20 at Sharp Park Public Library at 104 Hilton Way in Pacifica at 7 p.m.

In addition, the countywide initiative is holding a RESPECT! 24/7-logo contest, which will be used as the primary identity mark for Respect! 24/7. The   winning logo will be used on all Respect!  24/7 promotional materials, and the winner will be invited to attend special Respect! 24/7 events.

The logo contest is open to 6th-12th grade students attending a public or private school in San Mateo County. Artwork must convey the message of  “respect for all, all the time.” Logos can be created digitally or by hand. Students may submit a logo individually and/or as part of collaboration with other students. A judging panel of community leaders will select finalists.

What is your school doing to participate in the anti-bullying campaign, RESPECT! 24/7? Tell us in the comments and upload your photos.

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