Providing a Safe and Healthy Place for Young Minds

The Rotary Club of Metro Marikina (RCMM), in partnership with Sto. Niño Elementary School (SNES), successfully conducted the 4th year of its "Reach Out, Bullies Out" project, a comprehensive school-wide initiative designed to build a healthy and safer environment to young minds through student education and teacher involvement.

“We are continuously implementing this project to foster safe school environments. We believe that this will eventually lead to reduced violence and promote kindness, inclusion, and awareness among students. We hope to empower them to manage possible bullying within the school facilities,” Good President Francis Niño Rodriguez said.

The project, under the Rotary’s Area of Focus on Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention, was attended by almost 400 Grade 5 students from 11 sections and was held at the school gym.

RCMM spearheaded the project in cooperation with the Marikina City Prosecutor's Office, represented by Senior Assistant City Prosecutor Agatha de Jesus as guest speaker.

During the Stop Bullying session, de Jesus ensured to use simplified legal terms and cited various situations to help the students identify, stand their ground, and report bullying to school authorities.

Furthermore, she reiterated the different kinds of bullying and the available legal protections against it.

“By fostering positive environments, we are aiming to create lasting positive change in school cultures,” Rodriguez added.

Meanwhile, the anti-bullying activity is also expected to elevate the students' knowledge under the subjects of Araling Panlipunan, Health, and Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC).

“We are very happy that RCMM conducted this activity in our school to help us spread awareness on the causes and impact of bullying among the students. This partnership will empower them,” Analiza Paz, SNES principal said.

RCMM conferred certificates to all the participating teachers and tokens to the most sensible students during the discussions.

SNES also formally launched their Safe School Program being implemented by the Division Office of Marikina, under the nationwide program of the Department of Education during the

Part 2 of the project.

Written by: PE Minaluz G. Satorre, Rotary Club of Metro Marikina