Hull’s Jacobs Elementary School Students Learn Importance of Being an Upstander

A display case at Jacobs Elementary School reminds students to be upstanders. (Photo courtesy Hull Public Schools).

HULL -- Superintendent Judy Kuehn and Principal Kyle Shaw wish to share that students at the Lillian M. Jacobs Elementary School were recently reminded of the importance of being an upstander, someone who stands up against bullying.

Students gathered at a school assembly on Friday, Jan. 6, to hear from Interim Assistant Principal Elaine Menice about the power of being an upstander.

At the assembly, Interim Assistant Principal Menice encouraged all students to be upstanders by using the following methods: being a buddy, interrupting, speaking out, and telling an adult.

"It is our mission to foster kindness and inclusivity in our classrooms and to ensure that all students feel welcome and comfortable in school," Principal Shaw said. "Teaching students to be upstanders helps us to meet this mission. Peer intervention and support are so powerful when it comes to acts of bullying, and we hope all students strive to be upstanders."

Staff and students are encouraged to inform Principal Shaw or Interim Assistant Principal Menice if they see someone using one of these strategies to stop bullying.

Students who are identified as upstanders are presented awards by members of the Student Council and receive a shout-out during the morning announcements.

“I saw an upstander today!” said Thalita, a second-grader at Jacobs Elementary, after the assembly.

A display case featuring upstander themes has been installed to reinforce to students that they can all play a part in standing up against bullying. Students also are reminded of the importance of being an upstander during the school year through various lessons.

Students at Jacobs Elementary School were reminded of the importance of being an upstander, someone who stands up against bullying, at a recent assembly. (Photo courtesy Hull Public Schools).