Being Kind Turns the Tide against Bullying

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Published October 22nd, 2014

Being Kind Turns the Tide against Bullying

By Shayan Tajbakhsh

Moraga School District superintendent Bruce Burns (left) with Town Council members and iKind supporters as the mayor proclaims October to be Bullying Prevention Month. Photo courtesy Wendell Baker

Recognizing that bullying is proven to have serious consequences for children's physical and mental health, along with their academic performance - sometimes lasting into adulthood - the Town Council recently proclaimed October to be Bullying Prevention Month in Moraga.

Mayor Ken Chew read aloud the resolution that concluded, "Be it resolved that ... Moraga schools, students, parents, parks and recreation programs, religious institutions, and community organizations be encouraged to engage in a variety of awareness and prevention activities designed to make our community safer for all children and adolescents."

Two days later, students and staff at Joaquin Moraga Intermediate School put those words into action in a colorful display of, well, words.

Eighth grade leadership student Maile Nomura came up with an idea to inspire kindness at her school. She asked her fellow students to write compliments, apologies and other positive messages in chalk around the word "iKind" on the school's blacktop (see photo).

IKind is JM's school-wide program that involves students and teachers actively participating in and learning new ways to spread kindness and acceptance. Maile's project allowed students to express themselves in a creative way while at the same time leaving positive messages for other students. The result was a multi-hued explosion of sentiment representing the good will of JM students.

IKind supporters are currently working to expand the program throughout the community. For more information, email Wendell Baker at wendell@able-baker.com.

Read a related article by Cathy Dausman in our archive at www.lamorindaweekly.com/archive/issue0717/Non-Random-Acts-of-Kindness.html.

Brightly colored compliments and expressions of gratitude filled the blacktop at Joaquin Moraga Intermediate School on Oct. 10. Photo S. Tajbakhsh



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