Waukegan Public Schools will observe October as National Bullying Prevention Month with districtwide activities designed to promote kindness, unity and respect, Nicholas Altsakis, the district's director of communications, said. Every student and staff member will receive a bracelet as a symbol of the initiative.

The effort, Altsakis said, uses a theme of "be kind, be great, be you" and will include spirit days, age-appropriate lessons and acts of kindness, concluding with a spirit week of daily themes. The district described the bracelet as a visible reminder of the district's commitment to safe and welcoming schools.

District communications said the activities are part of regular programming to support a positive school climate. No changes to district policy or discipline procedures were announced in the message. The announcements were delivered as part of the district's weekly update for the week of Sept. 29.

Less critical details: the announcement thanked community members who attended the district's recent Pasta and Pops fundraiser; information about participation numbers and program funding was not specified.