This Saturday: Anti-Bullying Week of Respect Kickoff

by: Rosi Efthim

Thu Sep 29, 2011 at 04:22:52 PM EDT

Last weekend, Garden State Equality hosted a 3-mile Equality Walk fundraiser that was well-attended and a good way to see Maplewood and S. Orange. Proud to say Team Blue Jersey was the 4th-highest fundraiser (thank you, all) and that we also won the just-for-fun pub quiz afterwards.

This Saturday kicks off what GSE's calling a Week of Respect aimed at acclimating students to the best ways to handle challenging bullying situations kids  face every day, and to empower them in an informal, supportive environment with tools to become anti-bullying leaders in their own schools.

Week of Respect Kickoff - Anti-Bullying
Saturday (11am-1pm)
John H. Walker Middle School, 325 Franklin Ave. Nutley
Questions/RSVP Shannon at (646) 228-4438 or kirk@gardenstateequality.org

Activities are pitched toward fun, and it's free of charge. There will be quiz games, skits & role-playing. Plus some brainstorming of how kids can go back to their own schools and help create their own Week of Respect. Snacks will be provided, and all kids will earn a Student Anti-bullying Specialist Certificate.

This is a joint effort of Garden State Equality and the GSE Youth Caucus. Disclosure: I'm a GSE board member, and I write for a blog that strongly supports kids & all efforts to keep them happy & safe.

Anti-Bullying Education Grant: Building on efforts students are making to support each other through adolescence and the sometimes-tough experience of growing up, there's also a chance to apply for an Anti-Bullying Education Grant. That's $200 for your school, your Gay-Straight Alliance or another student organization. Funds are from the parent of a bullied student, to help empower other kids to educate peers and make their school a safer place to learn.

Want details? Jump with me:

Rules and Deadline for Anti-Bullying Education Grant:

To apply, students must receive a Student Anti-Bullying Specialist Certificate by attending Garden State Equality's Week of Respect Kick-Off event. Students must submit a 750 word essay discussing why school bullying prevention is important and how they will be an anti-bullying leader in their own school. Essays must be typed and emailed to Shannon at kirk@gardenstateequality.org. Deadline to apply for the grant is October 15, 2011. Please include your name, age, school, phone number, and if you are involved with your GSA or other students organizations at your school.For questions, please call Garden State Equality at (973) 509-5428.

Good luck, students! From all of us here at Blue Jersey!