Chicago Heights School District 170's Greenbriar School conducted a Unity Day celebration as part of the school's anti-bullying program on Wednesday, October 24th.
Unity Day is the signature event of National Bullying Prevention Month and has been recognized in the United States since 2011.
In participating in the Unity Day celebration individuals, schools, communities, and businesses wear or display orange to show support for students who have been bullied.
Studies have shown that one in five children report being bullied at school.
Greenbriar Physical Education instructor Cheryl Myers coordinated the activity during which all students and staff wore orange in recognition of standing together against bullying and united in promoting kindness, acceptance, and inclusion in the school.
As part of the activity, each classroom designed a poster to express unity through words and/or artwork.
"Our students and staff went above and beyond in celebration of Bullying Prevention Month," Myers said.
"I could not have been prouder of the commitment shown by all our school as we gathered together on each and every connecting black line in the gymnasium and raised our unity posters as an expression of solidarity in our school," she added.
Greenbriar Principal Joe Taylor was exceptionally pleased with the success of the activity.
"I was overwhelmed and inspired to see the passion with which our students and staff embraced the Unity Day celebration," Taylor said.
"The sight of everyone dressed in orange and united to take a stand against bullying and intolerance was profoundly gratifying."