WMS students and faculty work together to end violence and bullying around the school.

WMS recently hosted a Violence Awareness Week. During the week, students and teachers dedicated their time to events recognizing the importance of nonviolence in schools.

Officer Zino visited WMS to reiterate the importance of putting a stop to bullying and ending violence. After Officer Zino’s inspiring speech, we were lucky enough to score an interview with him. When asked if he thought violence in schools occurred often, Officer Zino replied “Yes, simple violence. Pushing, punching, name calling. Anything that hurts someone is a form of violence.”

Officer Zino says that “education, communication, students working together, and reporting systems” can reduce violence in schools around the world. We asked Officer Zino what specific points does he plan to get across to the students during these assemblies. He replied “For kids to know that there is help. There’s always help for the victim AND the bully. Educating people on different aspects, hopefully will end this.” Officer Zino also pointed out that “talking with somebody about how you’re feeling makes you better, not weird or strange.”

Officer Zino even has some questions for the students here. “What are some of the ways you can get help? What would make it easier for you to report violence, threats, fights? Do you feel safe in school? Why or not?” Hopefully, with Officer Zino’s advice WMS can continue to change for the better.

For more insight on this important week of recognition, we interviewed some of the students here to see what they think about violence awareness. Seventh grader Maameyaa Nyinah thinks violence awareness means “being friendly to everyone and not spreading negativity”. She also believes that a violent person is “someone who wants to hurt someone, it doesn’t have to be physical.”

When asked “Who is responsible to prevent violence?” Sixth grader Yazziray Ruiz responded “Teachers and school counselors are responsible to stop bullying.” Sixth grader Arthur Wegrzya believes that a violent person is “someone who punches or hurts someone else.”

Fortunately enough, we were able to interview school counselor Mrs. Valente. When asked “ Do you think the week of violence awareness was a success?” Mrs. Valente explained why the week of violence awareness was a success,“ I do. Some students had questions and discussion with teachers and loved the assembly with Detective Zino.” We also asked Mrs. Valente what message she planned to get across for the week of violence awareness. She responded “just that everybody should report people who are in the wrong and there is always somewhere to go for help if needed.”

Overall, WMS’ week of violence awareness was a success. Students were given new ways to prevent bullying and violence, and spread positivity throughout the school. Hopefully, students and teachers will continue to join forces to completely end bullying and violence here in WMS and schools worldwide.