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Meeting Date:
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Category:
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CONSENT ITEMS - RESOLUTIONS |
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Type:
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Subject:
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12.2 Resolution No. 009-23/24, Unity Day 2023: Affirming the Importance of Kindness, Acceptance, and Inclusion for All |
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Attachment Summary:
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File Attachment:
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Quick Summary / Abstract:
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Background:
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What started as a nationwide anti-bullying awareness campaign from the Pacer Center: Champions for Children with Disabilities in 2006, has evolved into an annual celebration of kindness, acceptance, and inclusion known as Unity Day. Unity Day is October 18th this school year.
We know that students who are bullied are more likely to experience low self-esteem and isolation, perform poorly in school, have fewer friends in school, have a negative view of school, experience physical symptoms (such as headaches, stomachaches, or problems sleeping), and to experience mental health issues such as depression, suicidal thoughts, and anxiety. (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, 2014)
It is also important to remember that students are susceptible to cyberbullying even when physical interactions between individuals are reduced. Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets. Cyberbullying can occur through text and apps, or online in social media, forums, or gaming where people can view, participate in, or share content. Cyberbullying includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean-spirited content about someone else. It can include sharing personal or private information about someone else, causing embarrassment or humiliation. (StopBullying.gov) |
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Status: |
On Unity Day, October 18, 2023, students’ awareness about the negative aspects of bullying and positive impacts that kindness, acceptance, and inclusion, can bring to a community will be increased. To demonstrate unity and show a visible message for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion, our LVJUSD Community is encouraged to wear orange on Unity Day.
To prevent cyberbullying and increase students’ positive behavior online, students’ digital citizenship skills are developed during the school year through our K-12 Common Sense Media Digital Citizenship lessons, which help students to learn how to use technology to support their learning and make safe, respectful and wise decisions at school and in their community.
Furthermore, safe, responsible, and respectful behavior is promoted at our schools throughout the school year with our District-wide implementation of the Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS), which is part of the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) Framework. PBIS is a proactive approach to improving school culture and developing positive student behavior. In PBIS, behavior is taught like a subject just like math or reading. Students can demonstrate behavior expectations when they understand the expectations. Through PBIS, students learn from each teacher about the expectations for the school rules. This common language and students being recognized through the Positive Acknowledgement System for meeting behavior expectations foster a safe, kind, inclusive and unified school community.
Finally, as part of our District work on equity, District and site leaders have attended training which has helped us to understand the needs of our increasingly diverse student population and further develop school environments where everyone feels safe, welcomed, valued and respected. |
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Superintendent's Recommendation
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To adopt, by roll call vote, Resolution No. 009-23/24, Unity Day 2023. |
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Approvals:
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Recommended By: |
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Signed By: |
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Chris Connor - Director of Elementary Education |
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Signed By: |
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Chris Van Schaack - Superintendent |
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