Although it has been bitterly cold as of late, we are warmed by the generosity of so many GLSEN Connecticut donors. It's because of you that 35 middle schools in Connecticut received kits from GLSEN Connecticut to participate in No Name Calling Week. Countless other middle schools throughout Connecticut were able to afford the kits and add to the thousands of schools nationwide who participated.

Schools participate in a variety of ways, from hosting assemblies to hanging up posters throughout the school promoting respect to encouraging students to intervene when they hear name-calling. Lesson plans for all grade levels and other resources can be found at the No Name Calling Week web site.

Backed by the National Education Association, National Associations of Elementary and Secondary School Principals, American School Counselor Association, American School Health Association, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, National Association of School Psychologists, National School Boards Association, and even Oprah's Angel Network - No Name-Calling Week is a trusted and well-established nationally recognized program.

And remember, even if your school didn't participate in No Name-Calling Week during the "designated" week in January, the lesson plans can be used anytime! Shouldn't no name-calling be something that happens all year round?

As we shift gears from No Name-Calling Week, we are happy to announce that GLSEN Connecticut is a proud sponsor of the annual True Colors Conference on March 12th and 13th at the University of Connecticut. (We'll have more information on GLSEN specific workshops that we'll be offering as well as materials at our resource table in the next Enewsletter!)

Please don't forget to save the date for the National Day Of Silence on April 16th, 2010! We look forward to helping to support students efforts to make schools safe and affirming for all students throughout Connecticut schools.

Peace,