National No Name-Calling Week at Memorial Middle School

Everyone has heard the proverb “sticks and stones will break my bones, but names will never hurt me”, but anyone on the receiving end of taunts would probably disagree.  While the message in the rhyme, to discourage physical retaliation to name-calling, is admirable, it minimizes the fact that the pain words inflict can be worse  than any physical assault.

Recently, students at Memorial Middle School received a glimpse into the power of name-calling in a series of skits performed by Point Pleasant Borough High School Acting students and Student Ambassadors.

Last week nearly 50 high schoolers made the pilgramage back to their alma mater to perform in a series of skits in recognition of National No Name-Calling Week.

Although technically a week late (due to a snow day), the school joined thousands of schools across the country to host activities in recognition of the nationwide movement aimed at raising awareness about name-calling and bullying in schools.

The presentations marked the second year Point Pleasant Borough High School Dramatic Arts Teacher Mrs. Rebecca Muraglia with her Acting I, II and III students along with the high school’s Student Ambassadors performed an assembly for the middle school students to illustrate various name-calling and bullying scenarios.

“By many accounts middle school represents a time when bullying tends to escalate,” said Mrs. Muraglia. “And often, trying to ‘fit in’ can come at the expense of others.”

Mrs. Muraglia told the audience that what they were about to hear would hopefully empower themselves to be better people.
Beginning with an exercise called “Stepping on the Line”, students were asked to form a circle along the perimeter of the gymnasium. Ms. Muraglia then read a series of statements about common experiences of middle school students. The students were to stay on the line if the statement applied to them or step off if it did not. By stepping on or off the line, students revealed personal information like, if their parents were divorced, if they have ever been hurt by a friend or if they’ve ever been teased for their looks, race or clothing, if they’ve ever felt left out or have felt peer pressure to do something they know is wrong. One particular statement underscored the importance of this lesson when more than half of the students indicated that middle school is socially a difficult place.

“Bullying and name-calling inflicts wounds that can last a lifetime,” said Ms. Muraglia. “Young people are often quick to say things without considering the impact of their words. Many slang words and words said in under the guise of ‘just kidding’ can be particularly offensive to certain individuals,” she continued.   

Following “Stepping on the Line”, Mrs. Muraglia invited several middle school volunteers to take to the mic and tell about their personal struggles in middle school.

“I’ve been bullied because I have scoliosis,” said sixth-grader Tyler Leyda. “It makes me angry. No one is perfect.”

Fellow sixth grade student Olivia Youngman-Mihovch shared her experience as a witness to bullying.

“I’ve seen a lot of bullying,” she said. “People get hurt. But I think we can stop it.”

And the administration agrees.

“The only way to eradicate name-calling and bullying is to continue to raise awareness and build on the district’s character education and anti-bullying initiatives,” said Director of Curriculum & Instruction Robert Alfonse.

 “No Name-Calling Week helps to improve the school climate by promoting a message of respect and acceptance,” said Director of Curriculum & Instruction Robert Alfonse. “The week provides a great opportunity to engage our students in discussions about the harmful effects of name calling and bullying.”

The next segment referred to the popular MTV reality series “If You Really Knew Me” and the effects stereotypical labels can have.
After proclaiming themselves “the Nice Guy”, “the Flirt”, “the Bully” and “the Drug Addict”, the students explained how only after they are stripped of their label is their true identity revealed.

“If you really knew me, you would see we are just like you,” said the students illustrating common experiences in everyone.

 The next skit addressed teasing and bullying by offering realistic solutions through an advice column approach.

The final skit was directed at Memorial Middle School’s lunchtime quandary of tables only accommodating eight students.

Ninth grader Realyn Schnappauf performed a “Lunch Room Rap” to provide ideas on how social groups of more than eight students can get through lunch without the misery of exclusion. One of her suggestions included splitting the group to minimize isolation if a friend is left out.

Memorial Middle School Principal Gary Floyd concluded the assembly by thanking Mrs. Muraglia and her students for sharing the no name-calling and anti-bullying message with their younger peers.

“This message is special because it comes from your peers,” said Principal Floyd. “In a few short years, you will be where they are now. You can trust in the wisdom of their experiences.”

Also in attendance at the performances was Superintendent of Schools Vincent S. Smith.

“The district takes a proactive approach to ensuring that our students are exposed to a positive school climate free from harassment and bullying,” said Superintendent Smith.  “Bullying and name-calling can have serious emotional consequences for victims, bystanders and even the bullies themselves. Plus with the State’s new anti-bullying legislation, these actions can be subject to severe legal ramifications,” he added. “Who better to deliver this message than fellow students that have shared experiences? I truly hope that what the students learned will stay with them throughout their school years.”