Students at Coloma Junior High School are set to commemorate their annual Unity Day this Wednesday, promoting the message that bullying is unacceptable within their community. This marks the third celebration of Unity Day, an initiative aimed at fostering a supportive atmosphere among students.
Social studies teacher Kim Kubatzke shared that students will don orange attire in solidarity, view student-created videos, and listen to guest speaker Kelly Baptist, an acclaimed author and social-emotional educator hailing from Southwest Michigan. Unity Day is designed to empower students to contribute positively to their school environment, reinforcing the idea that every student plays a role in cultivating a welcoming space.
“Stand up against bullying,” Kubatzke urged, emphasizing that Coloma Comets are a community that promotes kindness and mutual respect. The ongoing efforts focus on changing school culture to ensure all students feel a sense of belonging.
While unity is celebrated throughout the week, the pinnacle event occurs on Wednesday with a student assembly. Kubatzke noted that the initiative has already made a significant impact. She recounted the experience of a new student who remarked on the supportive environment: “I can just tell that I’m in an anti-bullying school. I’ve never had so many friends and so many nice people,” highlighting the success of Unity Day in forging connections.
The program engages students by addressing pressing issues like social media pressures, using each letter of “unity” as a daily theme. This week’s topics include Uplift, “No One Eats Alone,” “I Belong,” “Thank You,” and “You Matter,” creating a comprehensive message of support and inclusion.
Unity Day is observed in conjunction with National Bullying Prevention Month, underscoring the collective commitment to ensure that Coloma Junior High remains a positive, nurturing environment for all students.