DCPS Goes Orange for Unity Day

(CAMBRIDGE, Md) – One Eastern Shore school system is joining a nationwide stand against bullying.

Mace’s Lane Middle School Principal, Kesha Cook says that while bullying hasn’t been a major problem at the school, she wants kids to feel they can openly discuss conflict.

“…in school or out of school. They know this is a safe place for them to come to discuss and learn strategies that they can take with them through life,” says Cook.

Lasina Branch oversees counseling for Dorchester County Public Schools. She organized the school system’s Unity Day, empowering kids to be open with each other and school staff.

Branch says, “We want to be transparent as it relates to that and making sure that they know exactly how to communicate, reach out for support if there is something going on and it is an initiative that we take very, very seriously.”

By the numbers, cases of bullying have fallen in Dorchester County over the last few years.

And the amount of students taking a stand by reporting incidents has been increasing.

“Having more reports of bullying, harassment, intimidation, and tells us that people feel comfortable that they have an awareness of how to report,” says Lasina.

And At Mace’s Lane, it’s helping build another skill set for young minds.

Principal Cooks says, “We allow these teachable moments. We are teaching all students. Is there anyone that having conflict, how to resolve conflict, how to resolve it positively? Because we all have to be kind. We all have to learn how to get along.”

Students got to experience most of the Unity Day programs across their different classes.