NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The sixth-graders at Isaac E. Young Middle School are learning how to recognize, prevent and take action against bullying. These lessons were summed up succinctly by an observation from student Adrian Mendoza:
“Bullying is the wrong thing to do,” the 6th-grader in Barbara Sullivan’s class said this week.
“It can cause a lot of problems,” added his classmate, Cristian Rodriguez.
The members of the youngest class at IEYMS have taken a pledge to combat bullying for National Bullying Prevention Month. A board in the hallway near the main office shows anti-bullying slogans, and the students have signed cards that read, “I promise to take a stand against bullies.” A gold seal on the card reads, “BAN BULLIES NOW.”
Principal Anthony Bongo and Assistant Principal Tawanda Robinson began the program last Friday with an assembly. The program, from “STOMP Out Bullying,” included tips such as, when you see it happening, “Don’t encourage the bully in any way,” and “If you notice someone being isolated from others, invite them to join you.”
Bongo also met with 30 parents in the school library to talk with them about what the school was doing to ensure students feel safe, comfortable and ready to learn.
The students agreed that school is a better place without bullying.
“You feel safer,” said 6th-grader Janelle Rodriguez.
“You don’t have to worry about making a mistake and people laughing at you,” added classmate Roberto Gonzalez.
“It’s bad behavior,” said student Christopher Jean-Baptiste. “Because you wouldn’t like it if they did it to you.”