In mid-October, students at A.W. Becker Elementary and Pieter B. Coeymans Elementary participated in “Abracabully,” an engaging assembly that combined fun with important lessons about bullying prevention, kindness, and respect.
Built around the I.C.A.R.E. acronym Individual, Community, Attitude, Respect, and Empathy, the program encouraged students to consider how their words and actions affect others and how they can help create a positive, supportive school community.
Throughout the presentation, students discussed the difference between telling and tattling, learned what it means to be a bystander, and discovered how they can become “upstanders” by taking positive action when they see someone being bullied. The assembly also emphasized the importance of knowing which trusted adults to turn to when they or someone else needs help.
A key message of “Abracabully” was that students should feel empowered to speak up and seek help, whether they are experiencing bullying themselves or witnessing it happen to someone else. By encouraging empathy, respect, and personal responsibility, the program reinforced the important role every student can play in making their school a welcoming place for all.
Through this assembly and the other initiatives and programs in each elementary building, students were reminded that even small acts of kindness and the courage to speak up can make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
RCS strives to continue providing opportunities like “Abracabully” for our students to explore important social topics, make a positive difference in their school communities, and foster the skills needed to build positive, respectful relationships.