ELLINWOOD — From Jan. 24-28 Ellinwood Grade School will be observing "No Name-Calling Week." This is an annual week of educational activities aimed at ending name-calling of all kinds in schools across the nation and thus helping to create safer and more affirming schools for all students. No Name-Calling Week was inspired by a young adult novel entitled "The Misfits", by popular author, James Howe. The book tells the story of four best friends who grow tired of the constant teasing in their school and decide to run for student council on a "No Name-Calling" platform.

During the month of January, EGS students have been receiving classroom lessons on the damage that name-calling and bullying can do from Cindy Vink, counselor. Daily announcements over the intercom will be made in the mornings covering topics such as "respecting each other’s feelings and differences", "taking a stand against bullying and lending a hand", and "looking for beauty on the inside not the outside." In addition, all students will learn the saying "No Sticks, No Stones, No Dissing" to remind them that words are powerful tools and should be used for good, not bad. The school hopes that this theme will be carried throughout the year by students.

"We can all make a difference by not tolerating name-calling and bullying, by respecting each other’s feelings, by taking a stand and lending a hand, by turning beauty inside out, and thus ultimately making ourselves better people and our school and community a better place to be," said Vink.