JAY – Jay Middle School opening day activities Aug. 26 were centered on what can be done about the problem of teasing, name-calling, pushing and pulling, things that bullies do in almost every school across America.

Students and staff watched a videotape of a “Dr. Phil” show on bullying in schools. This was followed up by group discussions about the videotape.

The students gathered in the gym after lunch for a celebrity filled assembly. All staff members were then introduced to the student body.

After introductions, the music of Aretha Franklin’s, “Respect,” drifted into the gym. Staff members started dancing and then an Aretha impersonator arrived belting out a lively version of the song. The impersonator was Patti Schoen, a new education technician hired this year to help with the alternative education program.

Entertainment continued as members of the staff did a readers’ theater presentation of, “That’s What Bullies Do,” by Lois Walker. The oral presentation not only explained what bullying is, but it also suggested a pledge to do something about it. All students were asked if they would sign a pledge to help stamp out bullying at Jay Middle School.

Students returned to their small groups to sign a pledge, cut out the shape of their hand from brightly colored paper and to sign their names on their hand shapes. All hands were than taped up on the lobby wall alongside the school pledge.

Since opening day, there has been a contest to choose a slogan for the anti-bullying campaign. This is just the beginning of an all-out effort to stamp out bullying at Jay Middle School.