October is Bullying Prevention Month and this year Kentucky Safe Schools Week is focusing on kindness, unity and empathy. Kentucky Safe Schools Week is set for Oct. 20–26.

This year’s theme is “Our Safety Story!” and the Kentucky Center for School Safety (KCSS) stands on the belief that everybody should enjoy school equally and be treated with respect. Community members, educators, students and parents are encouraged to get involved during Kentucky Safe Schools Week.

As school begins and schedules are in place the climate and culture of school becomes evident. Rules and guidelines of acceptable behaviors are set, discussion and modeling are great tools to reinforce wanted outcomes. KCSS encourages all Kentucky schools to take this opportunity to promote positive behaviors and encourage social, emotional wellness by taking the Kentucky Safe Schools Week Pledge, and using the resources (lessons, videos, etc.) while planning a week-long school campaign. www.kycss.org/ssw.php Embedded in the theme “Our Safety Story” students and staff alike can discover their purpose, promote kindness, teach empathy and encourage unity throughout the school and community.

Every school has its own cast of characters weaving the fabric of its own Safety Story. Our schools are composed of students/staff who are a host of likely characters with a variety of interests and talents. Join in with schools across Kentucky, as we embrace unity, kindness and empathy to enhance “Our Safety Story”

The “Our Safety Story” Pledge is Kindness, Unity, Empathy.

By taking the pledge we are embracing unity, kindness and empathy to enhance “Our Safety Story” and create a feeling of community and friendship throughout Kentucky’s schools.

“To keep Kentucky schools safe places in which to learn and work, I pledge to be:

Strong enough to show empathy for others who need help at school.

Awesome, as I strive to use tolerance to create unity at school.

Friendly, showing kindness to others of all ages.

Encouraging, promoting a feeling of community and friendship throughout my school.”

View online at: www.kysafeschools.org/sswpledge

The Kentucky “Our Safety Story!” campaign is sponsored by the Kentucky Center for School Safety. This observance coincides with the national campaign. America’s Safe Schools Week is sponsored by the National School Safety Center. “I encourage all Kentuckians to get involved and nurture kindness, unity and empathy across our Commonwealth and in our schools. Teaching tolerance and modeling kindness in our everyday lives will help build the safe communities and schools of tomorrow. Joining together, we can make “Our Safety Story” phenomenal,” said Jon Akers, executive director of KCSS.