School #8 sixth-grader designs “Bully Free” fence sign

For Red Ribbon Week, a longstanding national campaign to promote resilience against substance abuse that has in recent years also incorporated anti-bullying messages, James Fitzroy, a sixth-grader at School #8, had an idea to promote a peaceful playground at his school. He proposed it to School #8 Principal, Laurie Welch-Storch, and she agreed it would be a great project. Using plastic cups inserted into the spaces in the chain link fence surrounding the school, James designed a sign that said “Bully-Free Zone.” This was James’ way of reminding himself and his peers to be ‘upstanders’ and keep the playground free of bullying. ‘Upstanders’ are people who are willing to stand up for others when they see unkindness in action and who work to actively prevent bullying from happening.