10/21/2026
October is National Bullying Prevention Month. 💚 At ABMS, we choose to be the “I” in KIND!
We want every Wolverine to feel valued, included, and safe at school. We also know that kindness and inclusion require ongoing conversations—not just during October and not just at school.
As we have these conversations, it is important to remember that we are working with middle schoolers. They are still learning, growing, and figuring things out. They will make mistakes. What matters most is how we respond to those mistakes. When we know better, we do better. Our goal is not simply to punish students for missteps, but to help them recognize the impact of their choices, take responsibility, repair harm, and grow.
Empathy is a powerful place to begin. Encourage your student to take just one minute to walk in someone else’s shoes. We never truly know what another person may be carrying or going through. A classmate who seems different, quiet, frustrated, or alone may be facing challenges we cannot see. A kind word, an invitation to join in, or a moment of understanding may be exactly what someone needs. Be the reason someone smiles.
This message is personal for me. As a middle school student, I hated middle school. I begged my parents to let me stay home most days because I was bullied day in and day out by a group of girls. Why? Because I was different—because of my race. The hurt was deep, and it stayed with me. It is a wonder, in many ways, that I am in the profession I am in today.
That experience reminds me why these conversations matter so much. We may never know the full impact of our words or actions on another person. A moment that seems small to one student can become a memory someone carries for years. Every student deserves to feel seen, respected, and safe.
At ABMS, we will continue having the important conversations, addressing unkind behavior when it occurs, and reminding our students that their words and actions matter. We encourage our families to continue those conversations at home, too. Ask your child what kindness looks like. Talk about how they include others, how they respond when they see someone being treated poorly, and how their words—both in person and online—can impact someone else.
Helping young people become kind, inclusive, and respectful humans is a shared effort between school and home. When our students hear the same message from all of the adults who care about them, that message becomes even more powerful.
At ABMS, kindness and inclusion aren’t just something we talk about—they’re what we want every student to experience. We will make mistakes, but we can choose what we do next. When we know better, we do better. Together, we can be the reason someone feels welcomed, valued, and hopeful. 💚🐾
