To promote a climate of acceptance and kindness, students at Mandalay Elementary School demonstrated their shared vision during Unity Day on Oct. 30. The annual anti-bullying initiative is sponsored by Pacer.org and observed in schools throughout the country.

Students and staff were encouraged to wear orange, the symbolic color of Unity Day. A pair of assemblies from So Fun City featured magic tricks that wowed students. The program was sponsored by the PTA and the message was about celebrating each person’s special skills and talents.

A follow-up classroom activity was based on the balloon tricks featured in the assemblies. On small paper balloons, students wrote words and phrases or drew images and symbols that promoted inclusion and togetherness. All of the paper balloons were then hung up to form a schoolwide collage.

Students also took pictures at the “Be the ‘I’ in Kind,” sign in front of the school, a reminder that they are an integral part to spreading kindness. 

“We want students to take an opportunity and think about how they can be inclusive and kind,” guidance counselor Donna Shulman said, “not just today, but every day.”