Every child deserves to be treated with respect and dignity. That’s why NJPSA has joined forces with GLSEN (The Gay, Lesbian, & Straight Education Network) Central New Jersey Chapter to promote No Name-Calling Week during January 18-22, 2016. No Name Calling Week (NNCW) is a national initiative started in 2004. The concept of NNCW builds on the story in the young adult novel by James Howe, The Misfits. In this story a group of students join together to face the challenges of name calling and ultimately make a powerful impact on their school with the proposal of a no name calling day. This year’s No Name Calling Week focuses on Celebrating Kindness while working to create safe schools free of name-calling, bullying and bias.
Educators can join the NNCW Listserv and download a variety of free materials at www.glsen.org/nonamecallingweek. GLSEN also sponsors The National Creative Expression Exhibit for NNCW. This exhibit gives students the opportunity to submit works of art that express their ideas and experiences with bullying. In past years, over 1,000 students submitted pieces from a variety of artistic mediums. For details visit www.glsen.org/nonamecallingweek.
Additional information and assistance in developing No Name-Calling Week programs as well as a limited supply of free materials can be arranged by contacting GLSEN Central New Jersey Chapter, cnj@njglsen.org. By the way, each school and program is welcome to choose any time of the year to offer No Name-Calling Week. The immediacy of the national dates, January 18-22, 2016, does not need to be a constraint for your program.