April 19 is the Day of Silence, a day of action created by the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network (GLSEN) to spread awareness about the silencing effect of bullying and harassment. Emily, our Office Manager and GLSEN Middle TN board member, led a conversation with Upper Elementary about the effects of bullying and teasing others, and how to help others who may be bullied or teased. Here, they show how they will help “break the silence.” More photos to come! For more information about Day of Silence, visit http://www.dayofsilence.org/resources/    

No Name-Calling Week took place last week, January 21 st – 25 th . GLSEN (the Gay, Lesbian, Straight, Education Network) created No Name-Calling Week as a way to launch on-going dialogues in schools about name-calling of all kinds and provide schools with the tools and inspiration to do so. A national survey conducted by GLSEN in January, 2012 showed that “School climate and victimization can affect student educational outcomes and personal development at every grade level.” Some results from the survey are as follows. The percentages refer to the amount of students and teachers who heard this language regularly*: ·         Most common forms of biased language  in elementary schools, heard regularly by both students and teachers, are: The use of the word “gay” in a negative way, such as “that’s so gay” - Students: 45%; Teachers: 49% Comments like “spaz” or “retard” - Students: 51%; Teachers: 45%  Homophobic comments; usi...