Gidney Avenue Memorial School Participates in a Walk Up, Not Out Event

Students from Gidney Avenue Memorial School (GAMS) participated in a “Walk up.” Led by Mrs. Pattie Lofaro, School Counselor and Mrs. Karin McCartney, music teacher, students were charged with walking up to 14 students and three teachers. The number of students and teachers were specific to honor those who were lost in Parkland, FL one month ago.

Additionally, Mr. Hector Rivera, a 20 year employee of GAMS and Mr. Richard Bowman, a 30 year employee of the district, painted a “buddy bench” orange for the students. The buddy bench was arranged by Mr. John Etri. The buddy bench is a place where students can sit to gather their feelings as needed or welcome a new friend.

Finally, a team of fifth graders, handed out orange cards, so students could record who they walked up to and how they took the challenge. Those cards were collected at the Buddy Bench. Students who were involved in that effort were: Zola Dennis, Angelique Aguilar, Asul Mendez, Camryn Scalfari, Saray Baltazar, Remiel Green, Gloria Aduloju, and Layla Spearman.

GAMS “WALK UP” CHALLENGE:

In our efforts to speak up against gun violence, as a school community we are challenging one another to WALK UP …Not OUT…against violence.

As school leaders we are here to encourage you to:

Walk up to the kid who sits alone at lunch and invite her to sit with you.

Walk up to the kid who sits quietly in the corner, smile and say Hi.

Walk up to the kid who may be disruptive in class and ask him how he’s doing.

Walk up to the teacher and school staff and say thank you.

Walk up to someone who has different views than you and get to know him/her.

Walk up to 14 students and 3 teachers and say something kind.

Honor the lives of those lost by walking up, not out!

ATTENTION: Are your scholars or colleagues doing something great? Please contact the district Communications Team at communications@necsd.net. We’d love to visit your class or event and/or post your pictures and recap to highlight the amazing accomplishments throughout our district!