Bullying Prevention Through Education and Awareness | | |
October is National Bullying Prevention Month—time to bring awareness to the impact of bullying and how to prevent it. Bullying affects students’ education, physical and emotional health, and safety and well-being, and it can be prevented and stopped through education and awareness. In this issue of School Wellness Weekly, we highlight resources available from New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) to help educators, families and caregivers, and school communities build safe, inclusive spaces where every student feels respected and supported.
The Office of School Wellness Programs (OSWP) supports health education and physical education—academic subjects that provide students with knowledge and skills that can help address bullying, like empathy, communication, relationship skills, and social-emotional competencies. OSWP also connects NYCPS schools and districts with physical activity and other programs that strengthen a sense of school connectedness among students and staff. For questions and to learn more, Connect With School Wellness Programs.
The NYCPS Citywide Wellness Policy, Empowering Strong and Healthy Students: The NYCPS School Wellness Policy, helps support all NYC public schools to build a strong foundation for students’ physical, mental, emotional and social health. This policy shares in plain language what students should expect from schools to feel nourished, energized, valued, and safe.
Note: All hyperlinks, including those above, open in a new tab.
(Photo by Kirsten Luce. Design by Office of School Wellness Programs.)
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Bullying Prevention and Respect For All Resources
Kindness Over Bullies, the New York City Public Schools anti-bullying campaign, empowers every student to take part in building a school culture of kindness, respect, and belonging, where safety is non-negotiable. This initiative launched recently, just in time for National Bullying Prevention Month in October!
The Kindness Over Bullies campaign is student-centered and community informed. Access the materials below to help create safe, supportive learning environments for NYC students:
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Parents/Caregivers and Students: Visit the NYCPS Respect for All webpage for information on promoting a safe and supportive learning environment, how to report bullying behavior, and resources like the Respect for All Family Resource flyer, FAQs, and translated materials.
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Educators: To support your school in implementing Kindness over Bullies, speak to your school’s Respect for All Liaison or principal. Visit the NYCPS Respect for All page (NYCPS login required) for additional resources, lesson plans, and tools.
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Check out the Kindness Over Bullies Anti-Bullying Toolkit with resources, templates, and graphics to help your school community create communications such as social media, emails, newsletters, and more!
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Visit the 2025-26 Respect For All Professional Development Calendar and register for trainings on Bullying Prevention, Cyberbullying, and Digital Citizenship.
(Image: NYCPS Respect For All.)
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Deadline Extended! Student Wellness Advocates Applications Due October 27
Encourage high school students in grades 9–12 to apply for the 2025–2026 cohort of Student Wellness Advocates. Selected students will join a diverse group of peers to:
Advocates meet after school approximately every three weeks from mid-November through April. Stipends are available based on attendance and participation.
Applications are due Monday, October 27. Contact wellnesspartnerships@schools.nyc.gov with any questions.
(Photo collage: Office of School Wellness Programs.)
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Building Strength Inside and Out: PE and Bullying Prevention
Physical education classes offer more than physical fitness—they help students develop empathy, confidence, and social awareness, all of which can play a role in preventing bullying.
The Community Building theme in the grades K–5 and 6–12 PE Scope and Sequences highlights key learning outcomes that support these skills. PE teachers can use this theme to design inclusive, cooperative activities that foster the social-emotional competencies students need to thrive in school and beyond.
To explore how to build a stronger sense of community in your PE class, join the Office of School Wellness Programs for the Community Building professional learning series. Together, we’ll unpack instructional strategies that help students feel connected, seen, and empowered.
Behavior Management and Ensuring Student Safety
Grades K-12: Tuesday, October 14, 2:45 – 3:45 p.m. (CTLE: 60 minutes)
Building Relationships for Student Success
Grades K-12: Tuesday, October 21, 2:45 – 3:45 p.m. (CTLE: 60 minutes)
Establishing Clear Communication
Grades K-12: Tuesday, October 28, 2:45 – 3:45 p.m. (CTLE: 60 minutes)
Community Building Activity Idea:
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Circle Talks: After a game, gather students in a circle to share how they felt, what went well, and how they supported each other. For an introduction to talking circles, check out the handout from Morningside Center.
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Navigating Challenges, Building Respectful Relationships: Health Education and Bullying Prevention
Health education empowers students with the knowledge and skills to navigate challenges, including bullying. By exploring topics like empathy, communication, and emotional regulation, health classes help students understand the impact of their actions and build respectful relationships. Examples of health education lesson plans and other instructional resources include:
| | Building the Wellness Community | | |
AHPERD New York City Zone Back 2 School Conference October 25
The New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (NYS AHPERD) – NYC Zone is hosting its annual “Back-2-School" in-person conference on Saturday, October 25 at Hostos Community College in the Bronx. Educators, register soon; pre-registration closes October 16. For more information, contact the NYC Zone Conference Committee.
(Image: Courtesy NYS AHPERD - NYC Zone.)
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NYCPS Educators: Training to Help You Plan For Climate Action Days
NYCPS’s four Climate Action Days showcase the importance of climate education and sustainability practices, including one day (April 22, 2026) focused on Health, Wellness, and Green Space. The NYCPS Office of Energy & Sustainability offers NYCPS educators CTLE-eligible professional learning to help plan for Climate Action Days:
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Friday, October 17: UFT Headquarters, Manhattan
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Friday, October 24: Petrides Education Complex, Staten Island
Access the Climate Action Days Training flyer for more information and registration links.
(Image: Courtesy NYCPS Office of Energy and Sustainability.)
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Reminder: Vaping Prevention Poster Contest — Deadline October 31
There’s still plenty of time for New York City middle and high school students to submit poster entries to a public service announcement (PSA) contest sponsored by CATCH My Breath, a nationally recognized vaping prevention program. Winners will receive cash prizes up to $500 and promotion of their work. Visit the contest website for more information; submit entries by Friday, October 31.
(Image: Courtesy of CATCH My Breath.)
NYC Teens: Applications Open For Teen Activist Project (TAP) with NYCLU
New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) is seeking young people ages 14 to 21 to join the Teen Activist Project (TAP), a youth leadership program focused on social justice, youth activism, and law. The program offers students the opportunity to learn about civil rights issues affecting their communities, develop youth-led advocacy campaigns, and work with professionals on civil liberties issues. TAP members can receive up to $600 in stipend money or community service hours.
To learn more and apply, visit the NYCLU website. Deadline: Friday, October 10 at 11:59 p.m.
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