House Creek Elementary unites against bullying

By SABRINA RIVERA 
Special to Leader-Press

In 2014, the Centers for Disease Control and Department of Education released the first federal uniform definition of bullying. The core elements of the definition include unwanted aggressive behavior; observed or perceived power imbalance; and repetition of behaviors or high likelihood of repetition. There are many different modes and types of bullying. House Creek Elementary is standing up against all of them through CCISD’s zero tolerance on bullying.
House Creek Elementary celebrated Unity Day, a time for students, staff, parents, and community stakeholders to come together to demonstrate bullying with not be part of the campus. Students participated in creating a unity chain signifying a united front against bullying, a unity banner to show their commitment to not engage in bullying behavior, and a number of individual classroom lessons and projects. Students learned a new dance to the National Unity Day sponsored song.  
Student Alexis Greenwood likened Unity Day to her favorite holiday.
“(It is) a day to not be mean to one another, like Christmas, and forget everything and be nice to everyone,” Greenwood said.  
School counselor, Amy Trimm, said Unity Day at House Creek was a time for students and staff to come together and show a united front against bullying. 
“We had a number of activities to actively engage students in a conversation about the seriousness of bullying,” Trimm said. “House Creek chose to participate in Unity Day to be part of a cause that is uniting the nation in a common goal to stand as a united front against bullying.”
Julie Fish, House Creek Elementary assistant principal, viewed the students’ participation as extremely valuable. 
“Our students really seem to be internalizing what bullying is and is not,” Fish said. “Through the efforts of our counselors and entire staff, students are being kinder, standing up for others, and making sure that everyone feels important and respected at House Creek.
While one in four children claim to have been bullied in school, student Kirk Farnum equates Unity Day as a day to remember the Golden Rule.
“Treat people the way you want to be treated,” Farnum said.