On Monday, October 2^nd students and staff throughout the Rome City School District wore blue in support of anti-bullying. The Rome Teacher Center and Rome Teachers Association coordinated the Awareness Day, which included two assemblies at Denti by Mike Speirs on the “5 C’s of Being an Upstanders. His presentation teaches students strategies for standing up for themselves.

There were also two theatrical presentations at RFA by Tim Collins on bullying and cyberbullying. The public is invited to an evening performance tonight at Bellamy Elementary by Tim Collins. It runs from 6-7:30 p.m.

Strough Middle School was also entertained by Tom Varano and his “Emotion into Art” show. His simple message weaved throughout Tom’s entire show: Be yourself, be creative, follow your dreams and take chances.

In addition to the #blueshirtday2017 the Kindness Rocks theme included a district-wide activity of every school painting rocks, with an uplifting, positive picture or message painted on the rock.

“Awareness Day brings the district and community together to share ways to take away the meanness and teach students to be upstanders, because kindness goes a long way. It starts with us,” said Jessica Lattimore, Staley teacher and one of the organizers of the event.