Published in the November 11-24, 2015 issue of Morgan Hill Life

By Traci Golubock’s fifth-grade class at Paradise Valley Elementary School

mhusd-logoAt Paradise Valley Elementary School during Unity Week held Oct. 19 to 23, a new feature was introduced this year. Students were encouraged to sit on the orange Unity Bench if they felt left out. Then, another student (including someone they don’t know well) was encouraged to reach out to that student.

Unity Week is part of PACER.org’s national anti-bullying campaign that focuses on raising awareness to prevent bullying. It encourages students to be “upstanders” (students who learn to take a stand and ask others to play as friends and listen to them in support). The program started at Paradise Valley three years ago when Robin Guevara, a school parent, saw kids bullying others, and she didn’t want them to fight anymore. During Unity Week, students and staff tie orange ribbons to the fence in a visible place by the playground. The ribbons serve as a reminder that we should treat each other equally and fairly.

We participate in an event called Panther Pals where before lunch we each get a strip of paper that’s a different color. We then find kids with the same color paper and hang out with them at lunch, asking questions and sharing stories. This helps us make new friends outside of our usual group. This also helps us to learn to be kinder to one other.

On Thursday during Unity Week, we had an event called “Mismatched Socks Day” where the slogan was “It’s OK to Not Be the Same.” On Friday, we wrapped up the week with a dance party held under the big “friendly” mulberry tree by the Unity Bench. We all danced together to the songs “Watch Me” and “The Cha-Cha Slide.”

Unity Week reminded us that it doesn’t matter what you wear or look like, it matters how we treat one another. So be a buddy, not a bully!

After a Junior Journalism writing workshop by Morgan Hill Life Publisher Marty Cheek, Traci Golubock’s fifth-grade class at Paradise Valley Elementary School wrote this column. Are you interested in hosting a Junior Journalism workshop? If so, contact publisher Marty Cheek at [email protected].