Austin ISD Bullying Prevention Month Weekly School Announcements - Secondary

Malott’s Daily Announcements

“October is Bullying Prevention Month.  Each day we will share a quote about kindness and supporting others.  Remember, in order to be an upstanding citizen you will need to speak up when you see something wrong, like bullying or someone being treated unfairly, and instead of just watching, they take action to help or speak up. Being an upstanding citizen means they stand up for others, making sure people are treated kindly and with respect, even when it's tough.”

Week 1:

1. "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." – Ian Maclaren
2. "In a world where you can be anything, be kind." – Anonymous
3. "The power of one, if fearless and focused, is formidable." – Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
4. "Strong people stand up for themselves, but stronger people stand up for others." – Anonymous
5. "You don’t have to be perfect to be amazing." – Anonymous

Week 2:

1. "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." – Eleanor Roosevelt
2. "The more you give away, the more you have." – Wayne Dyer
3. "It’s not cool to be mean." – Anonymous
4. "The only way to have a friend is to be one." – Ralph Waldo Emerson
5. "Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them." – Dalai Lama

Week 3:

1. "Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless." – Mother Teresa
2. "If they don’t like you for being yourself, be yourself even more." – Taylor Swift
3. "It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters." – Epictetus
4. "Being different isn’t a bad thing. It means you’re brave enough to be yourself." – Luna Lovegood (J.K. Rowling)
5. "You’re never too small to make a difference." – Greta Thunberg

Week 4:

1. "Bullying is never OK. If you see it happening, be brave and stand up for those who can’t." – Anonymous
2. "The time is always right to do what is right." – Martin Luther King Jr.
3. "What makes you different is what makes you beautiful." – Anonymous
4. "It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice." – John Templeton
5. "Be the reason someone smiles today." – Anonymous

Week 5:

1. "We rise by lifting others." – Robert Ingersoll
2. "The best way to predict the future is to create it." – Abraham Lincoln
3. "Hurt people hurt people. Healed people heal people." – Anonymous
4. "Be somebody who makes everybody feel like a somebody." – Anonymous
5. "Even the smallest act of kindness can change someone’s day." – Anonymous

These quotes can inspire kindness and compassion while promoting an anti-bullying environment.

Week 2 Announcement (Monday, October 7) 

"Good morning, O. Henry Middle School Mustangs! October is Bullying Prevention Month, and we’re starting by learning that bullying can take many forms—it’s not just physical. Bullying can also be verbal, emotional, or happen online. Words and actions that hurt or exclude others are all forms of bullying, and it’s up to each of us to recognize and stop it. This week’s challenge is to invite someone who’s sitting alone at lunch to sit with you. Simple actions like this can make someone feel included and valued.

If you ever feel unsafe or see someone being bullied, remember you can report incidents anonymously using the 'Let’s Talk' feature on the Austin ISD website. It’s a way to make sure your concerns are heard, even if you don’t want to speak up in person. If you need help finding it, ask a trusted adult. Let’s kick off this month by showing how powerful small acts of kindness can be.”

Week 3 Announcement (Tuesday, October 15)

"Good morning,  O. Henry Middle School Mustangs! ! As we continue Bullying Prevention Month, let’s talk about how we can stop bullying when we see it. A bystander is someone who sees bullying but doesn’t do anything. This week’s challenge is to be an upstander instead of a bystander: if you see someone being bullied or treated unfairly, step in and help, or tell an adult. Silence can allow bullying to continue, but by speaking up, you make a difference. Standing up for others can help create a safer, kinder environment for everyone.

And remember, if you’re unsure about how to step in, or you want to report something anonymously, use the 'Let’s Talk' feature on the Austin ISD website. We all have the power to stand up and stop bullying—let’s be upstanders, not bystanders."

Also, please join me tomorrow for UNITY DAY, October 16, by wearing something ORANGE to show your support for bullying prevention and for students who have been bullied. Orange is the designated color for this important day and is commonly associated with safety, visibility, and protection. Let’s come together and make a statement!

Week 4 Announcement (Tuesday, October 21)

"Good morning,  O. Henry Middle School Mustangs!! As we move into Week 3 of Bullying Prevention Month, it’s time to talk about cyberbullying—bullying that happens online through social media, texts, or messages. Cyberbullying can hurt just as much as in-person bullying, and it’s important to be mindful of how we treat others online. This week’s challenge is to spread positivity online by sending a kind message to a friend, leaving a nice comment, or sharing something encouraging. If you wouldn’t say something to someone’s face, don’t say it online.

If you ever experience cyberbullying or see it happening, report it to a trusted adult, and don’t forget you can use the 'Let’s Talk' feature on the Austin ISD website for anonymous reporting. Let’s make our online spaces as kind and respectful as our school should be."

Week 5 Announcement (Monday, October 28)

"Good morning,  O. Henry Middle School Mustangs!! We’ve reached the final week of Bullying Prevention Month, but our efforts to stop bullying continue year-round. This week, we’re focusing on gratitude and appreciation. Recognizing the good things people do and saying thank you helps create a positive environment where everyone feels valued. Your challenge this week is to thank someone who has shown you kindness—whether it’s a friend, classmate, or teacher. Gratitude encourages more kindness and respect throughout our school.

And don’t forget, if you ever witness bullying or feel unsafe, you can report it anonymously through the 'Let’s Talk' feature. Let’s finish Bullying Prevention Month strong by making sure kindness and appreciation are a part of our everyday lives at O. Henry Middle School.