Oct. 21, 2011 — The Klein ISD takes bullying seriously. In an effort to combat the nationwide concern of bullying, schools across the district will unite to recognize Oct. 24-28 as Anti-Bullying Week. Several campuses have planned events and activities for students during the week.

Kaiser Elementary hosts Team Impact consisting of former professional, Olympic and college athletes to communicate messages about drug prevention & bullying through feats of strength, comedy and music on Monday, Oct. 24. Schindewolf Intermediate held an Anti-Bullying Rally also on Monday, showcasing the drum core, cheerleaders, fire department and students marching against bullying. Click here to see photos.

Doerre Intermediate kicked off the initiative as it hosted Holocaust survivor Walter Kase on Thurs., Oct. 20, to speak to students and staff. Click here to see photos.

“We are all the same and it is wrong to make differences in others an object of hate or dislike,” said Kase, who has spoken to hundreds of children and adults over the years. “As we get older we start to realize the fallacy of things like bullying, and it is our responsibility to help educate the children about what is right and wrong.”

In front of a silenced, packed crowd of Doerre eighth grade students and faculty, Kase shared his experience as a 13-year-old boy during the 1939 Holocaust where he endured forced labor and five concentration camps. During his presentation, Kase enlightened students with several messages about bullying, hate, respect for family and possessions, self-worth and the importance of compassion and random acts of kindness. To read more about Kase, click here.

Twin sisters Nakita and Natasha Tiffany participate in Culture Club at Doerre and shared that hearing Kase speak really helped open their eyes.

“It made me think twice about the things that I’ve done in the past and how my actions affect others. Hearing him made me really sad but at the same time I respect what he went through and his bravery,” said Nakita.

“It made me realize to appreciate the things I have,” said Natasha. “Everyone knows bullying is bad but they don’t think it could happen to them. When it does though, they and people they care about get hurt.”

Associate principal Karen Kulhanek-Rochin noted that many students at Doerre are reading The Diary of Anne Frank and Night by Elie Wiesel, who like Kase experienced life in Nazi German concentration camps at Auschwitz and Buchenwald with his father. She said this was a unique opportunity for students to listen first-hand about the history and learn from someone who experienced the tragic event.

“We have students from several different countries, and it is not unusual for students to react differently to one another,” said Kulhanek-Rochin. “Through our No Place for Hate and Culture Clubs, these student-leaders sponsor activities to help students realize we have more in common than differences and to be open minded.”

Klein ISD administrators and staff received anti-bullying training and provided resources to parents and students at the beginning of the school year. KISD also participates in the Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) Community of Respect and No Place for Hate programs, initiatives that provides educators and students with the resources to ensure that anti-bias and diversity education are an integral part of learning. Klein ISD currently has 36 No Place for Hate campuses.

For more information on KISD’s anti-bullying efforts, click here.