French Road Elementary has partnered with “Hands & Words” since 2009. Students and staff recite the Pledge Daily and Always have their Purple Hands Pledges displayed year round. One of our “Model” Schools that have Effectively Implemented and Sustained our program year after year. They received the US Department of Education’s National Blue Ribbon Award in 2011.
“Every day after the pledge of allegiance and morning announcements, we state the following pledge, “I will not use my hands or my words for hurting myself or others.”
We don’t just say it each day at FRES, we live it each day through our words and actions! The pledge has become the foundation of our anti-bullying message.”
In the News
http://capitolwords.org/date/2011/11/30/E2141_congratulating-french-road-elementary-school/
New York State Representative Louise M. Slaughter congratulates French Road Elementary School for receiving the US Department of Education’s National Blue Ribbon Award:
Community is a central component of French Road Elementary School. Its students are not only encouraged to succeed academically but to be constructive members of their communities. In an era where school bullying is far too prevalent, French Road students start their day by reciting the school’s Purple Hand Pledge. It reads, “I will not use my hands or my words for hurting myself or others.” It is a simple message that should be emphasized more throughout school communities around the country.
Purple Hands Dance Video
After using the pledge for the past two years, we wanted to reinvigorate our staff and students with something cool. Several of us watched the Pink Glove Dance videos on Youtube, where hospital staff across the United States danced with pink gloves to bring awareness to the fight against breast cancer and that people are not alone in that fight. We loved the videos, loved the message, and loved “You Won’t Dance Alone.” The song has a positive message that fits perfectly into a no bullying philosophy emphasize that if you are bullied, you are not alone. We are in this together! So – during the 2010-2011 school year, teachers, secretaries, bus drivers, cafeteria staff, teaching assistants, custodians, nurses, administrators, etc., secretly prepared dance routines while wearing PURPLE gloves. We showed the video to the kids at a special school wide assembly. They loved it! We hope you will too!
