Grown-Ups
No Name-Calling Week
You should consider yourself immensely lucky if you know a child who has never come to you crying or hurt after being bullied by a peer or friend. However, even those students who have escaped bullying have probably witnessed bullying, or even called someone a name or two. Even though it’s a normal part of growing up, bullying can be devastating to children and teens, and even lead to suicide.
An organization called GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network) encourages you, your school, and your child to participate in No Name-Calling Week in January. For more on the history of No Name-Calling Week, click here.
Each year, the organization holds a contest to encourage students of all ages to participate in No Name-Calling Week. This year, GLSEN is asking young people to create a work of art that expresses how they feel about name-calling. If you plan to engage your child or student in this competition and would be willing to share his or her work with Rainbow Rumpus, please e-mail tatum.fjerstad@rainbowrumpus.org.
If you’d like advice on how to get your school involved, GLSEN lists ideas for family members and educators here.
Let’s all work together as grown-ups to set better examples for kids by passing fewer judgments, or by refraining from making light of serious situations when appropriate. We can encourage our kids to participate in No Name-Calling Week not only in January, but also throughout the rest of the year.
