October is National Bullying Prevention Month in the U.S.  Every year on the third or fourth Wednesday in October, a very special event comes around — the Day of Unity, or Unity Day, as it is commonly called, which will be celebrated on October 16 this year. 

Unity Day is the signature event of National Bullying Prevention Month. Multiple anti-bullying campaigns — of which Unity Day is one of them, are organized during this period. The key message of this month, and this day, is to unite for kindness, courage, and inclusion, to prevent students from being bullied.  

HOW TO CELEBRATE DAY OF UNITY

1. Take a pledge: https://www.pacer.org/unityday
2. Share your tale: Have a bullying-related story to tell? Let others, kids included, know what happened and how it impacted you. Inspire others to speak out about such behavior.
3. Wear orange: Orange has been designated the prime color for this day. Show your support for the cause by putting on something orange. You can even grab a Unity Day signature T-shirt from the official PACER website.
   • Why Orange?  This color is described as warm and inviting.  Also, it is commonly associated with safety, visibility, and protection.
4. Promote the message “Together against bullying. United for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion."

Unfortunately, more than one out of every five students will be bullied this year.  This is probably happening to someone you know and care about.  

• support others who have been hurt or harmed
• treat others with kindness
• be more accepting of people’s differences
• help include those who are left out

 The Hercules Parks and Recreation Department encourages our community to take a photo of your work group, team, family, etc., wearing orange.  Please share your photo with the Hercules Parks and Recreation Department, email the photo(s) to prregistration@ci.hercules.ca.us.