MISSOURI CITY’S EXEMPLARY SCHOOL, QUAIL VALLEY ELEMENTARY CONTINUES EFFORTS TO STOP SCHOOL BULLYING/NAME-CALLING

Missouri City—From the United States Capital in Washington, D.C. to the great state of Texas, the issue of school bullying has moved from sidebar stories to front- page news. At Quail Valley Elementary School where great academics and behavior go hand in hand, students and faculty have made the issue of school bullying one of their major behavioral focuses.

January 24 through January 28, 2011, was “No Name-Calling Week” at Quail Valley Elementary School. Principal Amelia Perez said, “This is an annual week of educational activities aimed at ending name-calling of all kinds and providing schools with the tools and inspiration to launch an ongoing dialogue about ways to eliminate bullying in their communities.”

Tyrone Smith encouraging students to be respectful and to do the right thing.

On Friday, January 28, 2011 at 2 p.m., students, faculty and parents, with the help of music teacher Yvette Young-Scott, lined up in front of the school to spell out QVE-RESPECT, set to the legendary tune by recording artist Aretha Franklin. Thanks to PTO member, Michael Svatek, a helicopter will take an aerial photo of the formation. Mr. Svatek also provided the stage and sound for the pep rally.

Student activities Friday also include a pep rally, and students will hear from former professional football player Tyrone Smith, president of First and Goal, Inc. - Care and Share Mentoring Program. The students were so excited to have a former professional football player taking the time to speak to them. The way Mr. Smith approached the students was awesome! In his own way he was able to impact 630 students to listen and understand what he was saying. Sharing a few of his school experiences with friends not believing in him yet he held onto his dream of pursuing his career – to be professional football player. One sixth grader summed it up this way “Never give up on your dreams, keep going and believe in yourself”.

This year’s show of solidarity celebrates the school’s No Place for Hate designation by the ADL Plains States organization.

Quail Valley Elementary School parent, Catherine Zackery, developed this year’s theme “EXCHANGE HATE FOR GREATNESS.” Ms. Zackery created a huge mural depicting the theme on a wall inside the school. Students and faculty members will wear buttons bearing the theme. The student body will also perform a rap, ‘We Don’t Bully at Our School,’ as part of the culmination of activities.

The Quail Valley Elementary counselor offers information to students to help prevent bullying and also provide information to parents about the school’s anti-bullying policy.

Students displaying their posters during the rally