Nico's story

  Many people think that being in a ‘‘looser’’’s shoes is the last thing they'd want. Well I totally agree! More or less....

I can't say I'm a super popular guy, because I'm definitely not, but the contrary. Yes, I'm a geek nerd who's always physically, verbally, emotionally abused when I step on the school's property. It usually goes fast, or perhaps it's because I'm used to it after all these years.

   My daily school life usually is like this: When I first get into the school, I'm awaited by my hunter, Radu next to the corner.  I'm brutally forced to lend him all my money I have, including those for my lunch. If I'm lucky enough I can get away with my home made lunch, or sometimes it happened to lose that too, on top of that I got my eye shriveled. I really don't mind at all, since I think, as my friends tell me, that I've lost all my confidence.

     However, after a time Radu became a nuisance, first I thought not to care about it, but he ruined all my chances of getting into an elite college. He destroyed my recommendations; I've been working like a dog to get! Secondly when I've finally got my first date ever, after school, he locked me in a locker and I managed to escape, after hours of yelling for help, when the janitor noticed that someone was left in school. Since then I've been treated worse than ever not only by my bully, but the rest of the school: my friends started to exclude me from their meetings and funny activities. I was a nothing and I dead mean it! It felt like I was no longer part of this society, like I vanished somewhere, anyone forgot about me, I’ve never existed....

    One night, as I was fretting in my bed, I suddenly realized the ball was in my court:’ This must come to an end. I can no longer endure this. It has been going like this for way too long. I'll face him! I'll face Radu!''

   So, confident in myself I went directly (however he would have popped up) to Radu and faced him! Despite he was going to beat me to death, I was surprised (in a good way) and relieved that my friends, alongside teachers interfered in this quarrel. The injures cured very fast and the jerk was expelled from the school due to ''behavior problems''.

 Since that day, all of the other preys like me have stood up against their bullies and pointed out their opinion! As for the heckles they had to attend a lot of ''communication meetings'' and take part in interactive games, along us and some of them even learned what respect and teamwork is. Actually they thought that respect is aka teamwork, but never mind at least their low brains figured this as a positive thing. No more bullying in our school! And this is a story told by one of the victims!

By Nico P. grade 8th

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A wareness Week Overview

The first day was "Tolerance Day". One of us distributed some Tolerance surveys. The results were pleasantly surprising. For example, our classmates have found many 'soul mates' after completing the “Me and We” handout . It was a beautiful day in which our schoolmates were able to know each other better.

The poetry contest organized on “Don’t stereotype me“ Day had many contributors. Not only that we learned about how unique is each of us, but we discovered some talented poets.

The third day was “Stand Up Against Bullying". Throughout the day our school counselor, Mrs. Loana Ionita, led workshops on bullying to secondary school children. After a short presentation about forms of bullying and consequences they have on victims, she engaged them in an interactive activity that taught them how to react to bullying. During the breaks, many pupils showed their support to our initiative by signing "I am too against violence" poster. Volunteers draw self-portraits which were exhibited in a designated “No Bullies” zone.

The fourth day, "Carrying Makes a Difference“ was marked by an interesting exhibition of objects or drawings illustrating kindness and created by pupils. Our team members walked through classroom and in the hallways and “rewarded” pupils who were caught doing something nice with raffle tickets. At the end of the day, the raffle winners received books and school supplies.

We can work it out“ was the motto for our last day. In the morning, one volunteer from each class offered each pupil in the class were given a “badge” that had a promise written on it. Pupils could choose the promise they pledged to respect. all of students wore a wonderful badges with different solution. Our design team realized a poster entitled “Coloring a Peaceful School” and displayed it at the school entrance This week was interesting for all participants in this project and I hope that most pupils got to reflect on the seriousness of the problem and became aware of their role in keeping violence away .The survey next week will tell us more about the impact this week had on pupils.

Day 5: ''We can work it out''

                                                                                                                                                 

Today was a very uplifting day. We had volunteers from each class that helped us distribute the resolution "badges" to their classmates who had to wear them during the day. Our daily radio programme was a presentation of positive examples and wisdom words. Every class had to choose a color for "peace". Together we painted "Coloring a peaceful school" poster in the colors our schoolmates had chosen. And, I must say it was very colorful!

Word of the week: insult

INSULT - a remark or action that is offensive or deliberately rude

"insult". Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary. 3rd edition. 2008.

Day 4 - '' Carrying day makes difference''

       "Carrying Makes a Difference“ was the motto for the 4th day.  During the morning announcements Miruna talked about domestic violence and its impact on children and recommended ways of dealing with this problem in case it occurs.  The famous person of the day was Jesus Christ. “Isolation “ was the word of the day.      

     Volunteer children drew pictures or created objects that illustrated kindness. The most inspiring of them were displayed in the hallway.    

     

    Our teams members awarded the acts of kindness reported or seen in school with a raffle ticket. At the end of the day, the winners left home with books, school supplies and a big paper heart.

Day 3

 Today we addressed the problem of bullying. "No Bullies Zone" was full of self-portraits realized by pupils who wanted to show their pledge for non-violence. Many more signed our poster, "I am too against violence". Our school counselor visited all classes to advice pupils on bullying. She also led workshops where pupils learnt how to deal with bullies and why there was need for active attitude.

Stand up against bullying day-Class discussion

Today Mrs. Luana Ionita led special activities on the topic ''What can you do to stop being bullied?'', in which she encouraged pupils to stand up against bullying and bullies. Apart from this, some of the young audience came up with a few ideas to decrease the rate of bullying.

Here's a list with some of the suggestions:

• Bullying should be severely punished
• There must be some hall observers so they'll interfere if a fight starts
• The school troublemakers should attend regular counseling sessions 
• There must be set up some special classes  when kids will be able to freely talk about their issues and get to know each other better

Also take a look at these class activities during that time!