Thousands of Educators and Students Work to End Name-Calling and Bullying by Participating in GLSEN’s No Name-Calling Week 2015
Educators and students to “Celebrate Kindness” January 19-23
NEW YORK (Jan. 15, 2015) – As part of its ongoing mission to create safe and affirming schools for all students, GLSEN will once again celebrate No Name-Calling WeekJanuary 19-23 with educators and students across the country – and more than 60 partner organizations – by providing tools and inspiration to launch on-going dialogues about ways to eliminate bullying in their communities.
Inspired by The Misfits, a young adult novel about four friends who run for student government on a “no name-calling” platform to counteract the constant teasing in their school,GLSEN’s No Name-Calling Week is an annual week of educational and creative activities aimed at ending name-calling and bullying at all levels of K-12 education.
According to the 2013 edition of GLSEN’s National School Climate Survey, 65 percent of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students report regularly hearing homophobic remarks from other students and more than half heard negative remarks about sexual orientation and gender expression from school staff.
“All too often we hear about the negative consequences of name-calling and bullying in our schools,” said Dr. Eliza Byard, GLSEN’s executive director. “The lessons and activities educators, students and our chapters organize and participate in during No Name-Calling Week can start the crucial, ongoing process of creating safe and affirming school environments for all students.”
Since the initial No Name-Calling Week, created with Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing in 2004, 13,000 educators have signed on to incorporate the theme of “Celebrate Kindness” into their teaching. GLSEN provides planning guides, lesson plans and ideas for activities to those who register. Participants also receive free streaming ofGroundSpark’s Respect for All Project films.
As part of No Name-Calling Week, GLSEN also organizes a Creative Expression Exhibit where individuals, schools, and groups can share their efforts and inspire others through poems, stories, essays, drawings, collages, sculptures, songs, videos and more.
About GLSEN
GLSEN is the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe and affirming schools for all students. Established in 1990, GLSEN envisions a world in which every child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. GLSEN seeks to develop school climates where difference is valued for the positive contribution it makes to creating a more vibrant and diverse community. For information on GLSEN's research, educational resources, public policy advocacy, student organizing programs and educator training initiatives, visit www.glsen.org.
