Bayview Elementary School celebrated Unity Day on Oct. 22, joining together as a school community to promote kindness, inclusion and respect. Students and staff dressed in orange, the color that symbolizes unity, and pledged to be upstanders.

As part of the Unity Day activities, school counselor Kelly Minicozzi visited classrooms to lead lessons and discussions on anti-bullying, exploring the different forms of bullying and how students can respond with empathy and respect. Each student wrote a personal message on a paper leaf describing how they could be an upstander. The leaves were added to the school’s Unity Tree, a colorful display representing the community’s collective commitment to kindness. Unity Day also tied into Bayview’s monthly character trait of respect, reinforcing the school’s ongoing focus on positive character education.

Third graders in Ms. Sugumele’s class read “Spookley the Square Pumpkin,” a story about a pumpkin who stands out because he’s square instead of round. While Spookley is teased for being different, his unique shape ultimately helps save the day. The story highlights the importance of accepting others’ differences and recognizing that what makes us unique is what makes us strong. By connecting Spookley to Unity Day, Bayview students deepened their understanding of empathy and inclusion, learning that by standing up for one another, they can help create a caring, respectful community where everyone belongs.