Hirsch Elementary School assembles against bullying

Students at Hirsch Elementary School recently took part in an assembly to rally for school unity and prevent bullying.

Participants in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, along with staff members, came to school dressed in orange, the national color for bullying prevention.

According to a press release, the Make It Orange, Make It End Unity Rally was organized by a Hirsch counselor and was part of the school's No Place for Hate Campaign, a nationwide initiative to help create and sustain inclusive school environments where all students feel valued and have the opportunity to succeed.

Claughton Middle School seventh grader Callie Holley, author of the book "No Bullying Zone," gave a presentation and talked with students about her experience as a victim of bullying.

In her presentation, Holley spoke to students about the four main types of bullying: cyber, physical, mental and verbal. The importance of telling a trusted adult was also emphasized.

"Tell the principal, tell the counselor, tell a teacher, tell someone you trust," she said during the rally, according to the release. "Tell a mom or a dad or a sister or a cousin or a brother or someone that will help you. Tell someone and keep telling someone until you get the help you truly need."

After reading an excerpt from her book, Holley concluded the presentation by commending students for holding the rally, standing up for their beliefs and being unified.