Lessons during social studies classes
Our guidance counseling team recently visited all social studies classrooms to teach students about two critical topics: suicide prevention and bullying awareness. These lessons are part of our ongoing commitment to creating a safe, supportive environment where every student feels valued and protected.
Creating a culture of care
During the lessons, counselors emphasized that suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Students learned that if a friend confides in them about wanting to hurt themselves, they should never keep it a secret. Instead, they should immediately tell a trusted adult—whether that's a counselor, teacher, principal, parent, or another caring adult in their life.
The counselors also discussed how creating positive connections with others can significantly increase feelings of well-being and improve mental health. Building strong, supportive relationships is one of the most powerful ways students can look out for themselves and their peers.
Understanding four types of bullying
Students also learned to recognize four distinct types of bullying:
- Physical bullying occurs when someone pushes, hits, or physically harms another person, or takes and breaks someone's belongings.
- Verbal bullying includes name-calling, teasing, taunting, making inappropriate sexual comments, or threatening to cause harm.
- Social bullying involves deliberately leaving others out, making plans while excluding certain people, spreading rumors, passing notes about others, or embarrassing someone in public.
- Cyberbullying happens online, through mobile phones, or on social networks, and can be particularly harmful because it can reach students even when they're at home.
What's Next?
Our guidance team will continue this important work next week with Red Ribbon Week activities. We encourage all families to talk with their children about what they're learning and to reinforce these crucial messages at home. Together, we can build a school community where every student feels safe, supported, and respected.