National Bullying Prevention Month
This event takes place the entire month of October. It was created to prevent childhood bullying while promoting inclusion, acceptance, and kindness.
The Facts:
- This holiday was founded in 2006 by the PACER Center
- 20% of high school students in the United States have reported being bullied on school property in the last year
- A Belgian researcher is using Artificial Intelligence to block words and phrases that relate to cyberbullying on a social media site
- This holiday has been celebrated for 6,446 days and counting!
8 Skills to Stop Bullying
- Act with Awareness, Calm, Respect, and Confidence
- Leave in a Powerful, Positive Way
- Set Boundaries About Disrespectful or Unsafe Behavior
- Use Your Voice
- Protect Your Feelings From Name-Calling and Hurtful Behavior
- Speak Up for Positive Inclusion
- Be Persistent in Getting Help From Others
- Use Physical Self-Defense ONLY as a Last Resort
Video Resources
Additional Resources
Social Media Activity
Save (right-click > Save As) the below graphics and post whichever one speaks to you. You can talk about your experiences and encourage others to take the pledge to spread inclusion and prevent bullying. These bullying statistics come from Pacer’s National Bullying Prevention Center.
Week 1: Let everyone know it is National Bullying Prevention Month! Share a logo or a statement about this important month of awareness.
Week 2: Post a picture of you and a new friend you made this week, helping to make your school more inclusive!
Week 3: Tell a story of how you helped prevent bullying this week.
Week 4: Share a photo with a caption of how you want to continue to prevent bullying, even though October is ending! OR Tell us how this month made a positive change in your life!
Zoom Backgrounds
Take The Athlete Leadership Pledge
- I will follow the Special Olympics Code of Conduct, and practice respect, courtesy, and good sportsmanship.
- I am able to explain the mission of Special Olympics and the basic concepts of Athlete Leadership.
- I am at least 14 years old.
- I am an athlete and currently compete in at least one sport.
- I understand that as an Athlete Leader, I am a representative of Special Olympics and a role model for other athletes at all times.
- I will help and motivate others when they need it.
- I am comfortable expressing myself in a group setting.
- I will represent Special Olympics in a professional manner at all times with appropriate behavior.
- I will take as many courses as possible to help me grow as an Athlete Leader.
- I will attend scheduled Athlete Leadership meetings.
- I will let my Mentor know if I need help with transportation.
- I will prepare with my Mentor so I am always ready for my responsibilities.
- I will work with my Mentor to ask him or her questions if I do not understand something.
- I will offer my suggestions and opinions that might improve the Special Olympics athlete experience
- I commit to participate in the Athlete Leadership activities for two years.
- I will support others who have been hurt or harmed, treat others with kindness, be more accepting of people’s differences, and help include those who are left out.