News - Unity Week Helps Troy Focus on Kindness, Acceptance, and Inclusion
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Unity Week, which was held from October 20-24 at Troy Intermediate School, showcased exemplary qualities such as kindness, acceptance, inclusion, and centered around the idea that the school building should be a place where everyone feels safe and where kindness always wins. There were unique activities planned for each day of the week that promoted teamwork and collaboration among students on these important topics. On Monday, October 20th, Students watched a video about Unity Day during Homeroom or WIN period. Unity Day was started by PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center in October 2011 and is the anchor of National Bullying Prevention Month. The signature color of Unity Day is the vibrant color orange, which makes a statement and may be a conversation starter about difficult topics such as bullying and bullying prevention. Students discussed the importance of the hallmark qualities that were the theme of the week: Kindness, Acceptance, and Inclusion. They also signed a class pledge and hung it on their classroom door or window. This pledge served as a reminder to stand up for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion, and to show that you believe that everyone deserves to feel safe and respected at school. Together, in unity, the students’ voices sent a resounding message: bullying has no place here, and kindness always wins!
On Tuesday, October 21st, Project Connect was planned as part of students’ bell work to start the day in a positive way. Project Connect joins students, schools, and communities to make a powerful statement about uniting against bullying by writing a quality that makes them stand out on strips of orange construction paper, then looping them together to form a chain. This signifies strength, connection, and even though our messages may be unique or different, we can connect to be part of one community. Classes brought their finished work down to the guidance office to be joined together.
On Wednesday, October 22nd, students and staff were encouraged to wear orange to show unity and stand against bullying. Class and team pictures were captured during lunch periods in the cafeteria. Students discussed and wrote a paragraph about what Kindness, Acceptance, and Inclusion looks like in school. The display of unity expressed in a sea of orange was captivating and the bright color served as a visual reminder that these topics are vitally important.
On Thursday, October 23rd, students recognized how bullying behavior has the potential to negatively affect the Troy Intermediate School community. They watched videos and about bullying and cyberbullying, and engaged in discussion regarding the acts, the victim, the school, and how one can stand up against acts of bullying.
To finish out the week strong on Friday, October 24th, students wrote heartfelt notes of kindness on Post-It notes The colorful notes adorn the windows of the courtyard and serve as a reminder of a kind deed or thoughtful act, encouraging those who walk by to act in the same way.
Thank you to our staff members for planning and coordinating this meaningful week of activities to teach students about the importance of kindness always prevailing. This was an edifying experience for the entire Troy Intermediate School Community, serving to bring everyone together.
