Waukegan Public Schools launches districtwide kindness campaign for National Bullying Prevention Month

Nicholas Altsakis, director of communications for Waukegan Public Schools, said the district will mark National Bullying Prevention Month in October with a series of activities promoting kindness, unity and respect. "This year's theme is be kind, be great, be you," Altsakis said, and he said "every student and staff member will receive a bracelet as a symbol of the district's commitment to safe and welcoming schools."

The district plans spirit days, age-appropriate lessons, acts of kindness and a special spirit week with daily themes at the end of the month, Altsakis said. The activities are intended for all grade levels; he described the bracelets as a visible reminder of the district's anti-bullying efforts.

Altsakis announced the campaign in a weekly district update aimed at families and community members. He framed the work as part of the district's broader effort to maintain safe school environments and to engage students in positive social behavior.

The announcements occurred in the district's communications update rather than as an agenda item before the Board of Education; no board action on the campaign was reported in the update.

Parents or community members seeking more information were directed to district communications and the district's regular outreach channels, Altsakis said. "This week, our district is celebrating kindness during bullying prevention month," he added in the update.