The Alternative Press

WEST ORANGE, NJ - If you walked down the hallways of Mt. Pleasant School any morning during the Week of Respect you would hear Mr. Schiavo, the Principal, sharing messages of respect on the morning announcements; Aretha Franklin singing R-E-S-P-E-C-T; and students giving each other compliments! Students learned about the meaning of respect and anti-bullying in order to promote diversity and acceptance of others. Mt. Pleasant students took part in a reading of Have You Filled a Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud. They were subsequently taught the bucket-fillers philosophy: When our bucket is full, we feel great. When our bucket is empty, we feel sad. A bucket-filler is someone who says or does nice things for other people. By doing this, they are filling other people's buckets and filling their own bucket at the same time. On the other hand, a bucket-dipper says or does things to cause other people to feel bad. A bucket dipper empties their bucket when they say and do mean things.

All week long, students took part in age-appropriate lessons that promote kindness. Teachers displayed anti-bullying PowerPoint lessons that highlighted the definition of bullying; how to deal with a bully; and the power of bystanders. Teachers read respect-themed books to their classes. Students were able to make connections between the stories their teachers read and their real-life experiences. Mt. Pleasant students also made a pledge of respect. Each student decorated a hand cut-out. These hands were used to create a RESPECT banner that now hangs in the main hallway for all to see. The hope is that these initiatives will prevent bias-based harassment, intimidation and/or bullying.