In her remarks during a proclamation-signing ceremony for Bullying and Violence Prevention Month on Wednesday at Dandan Middle School, Interim Commissioner of Education Donna M. Flores reminds students about the importance of being kind and respectful to one another.
Board of Education Secretary-Treasurer Gregory Pat Borja speaks in the cafeteria of Dandan Middle School after signing a proclamation Wednesday designating October as Bullying and Violence Prevention Month.
(PSS) — The Board of Education has designated October as Bullying and Violence Prevention Month.
Board of Education Secretary-Treasurer Gregory Pat Borja and Interim Commissioner of Education Donna M. Flores led other education leaders and stakeholders in a proclamation-signing ceremony on Wednesday in the cafeteria of Dandan Middle School.
With Borja and Flores were Associate Commissioner for Administrative Services Eric Magofna, Senior Director for Student and Support Services Yvonne R. Pangelinan, school administrators, counselors, teachers, and students from various Saipan elementary and middle high schools.
In his remarks, Borja expressed concern about the impact of bullying, and how it affects the mental and emotional well-being of individuals.
Borja urged students, parents and other community members to engage in a variety of awareness and prevention activities designed to make schools safer for everyone.
For her part, Interim Commissioner Flores extolled the virtue of kindness. “It costs nothing to be kind and courteous, but it may cost everything, including money, freedom, and sadly even a life, when you are cruel, mean, and causing harm to another person,” she said.
She reminded students that bullying is an “unwanted behavior by another individual or group of individuals” that is highly likely to be repeated. It can cause psychological, social and or educational harm to an individual, including and in particular a student, she added.
Bullying can be physical, verbal, social, or online — and none of it is acceptable, Flores said.
According to the 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 27.9% of middle school students and 9.9% of high school students who responded to the survey reporting being bullied on school property.
“And this is why we are all here today, to bring awareness to this social ill in hopes of empowering us all to be better citizens, better school mates and a better, more inclusive community simply by being kind,” Flores said. “I’m not saying you have to like everyone, but you can be civil. There’s enough hate in this world; we don’t have to contribute to that.”
She added: “We are so fortunate to live here in our islands where we still value family and friends. There are so many places that no longer respect that. Let’s not be those people. We don’t know what others are already struggling with in life. Let’s face it — everybody is going through something and, oftentimes, just being in the company of others and being included is the only comfort. So let’s all be kind, especially in the spaces we share with others, including cyberspace.”
Flores likewise reminded students that schools have resources that can assist in handling and preventing bullying.
“Let’s challenge ourselves by being the better person,” she said. “It may take a lot of practice, but it’s well worth it and I guarantee you it will not only make others feel good, but it will also make you feel good. And who knows, maybe one day, you will be a role model for your younger sibling, cousin or neighbor. And if anything, always remember that ‘a smile costs nothing, but gives much.’ ”
