Opening Bullying Prevention and Awareness Week at St. Louis CES
There are moments in life when you walk into a room and immediately feel the energy of community, care, and anticipation. That was exactly the atmosphere I experienced at St. Louis Catholic Elementary School, where I had the honour of presenting to launch Bullying Prevention and Awareness Week.
A Warm Welcome
From the moment I arrived, the school’s hospitality set the tone. Ms. DeMaestri, school’s administrative assistant, kindly prompted me to sign the Visitor Guest Book, and soon after, Principal Ms. Scorziello greeted me with her trademark warmth. Having welcomed me at other schools in the past, she made this visit feel like a reunion.
She personally escorted me to the gymnasium, where I met Ms. Marroquin, grade one teacher, who guided the technical setup with skill and patience. Alongside her was Bronwyn, a dedicated student teacher whose enthusiasm and kindness shone through as she helped prepare the equipment. Everything was so well-organized that I felt supported and ready to begin. With microphones tested and sound checked, the stage was set.
Student Arrival
Soon, the gymnasium filled with nearly 200 students from JK to Grade 8. What struck me most was the thoughtful pairing: younger students were accompanied by older peers from Grades 5–8. Watching the older students guide, reassure, and support the younger ones was a beautiful reminder of how leadership and kindness ripple through a school community. Their care set the tone for the morning and showed me how deeply the school values connection.
Presentation Highlights
Principal Scorziello opened the assembly with a heartfelt introduction, setting the stage for the week’s theme: Bullying Awareness and Prevention.
As I began my presentation, I immediately felt the attentiveness of the students. Their eyes followed me, their expressions reflected curiosity, and their energy made the experience deeply rewarding. It was inspiring to see them so engaged, leaning into the message with openness and reflection.
The Q&A session was a highlight. With Ms. Scorziello’s guidance, students lined up, introduced themselves by name, grade, and teacher, and asked thoughtful, genuine questions. Their curiosity and courage in speaking up reminded me why these conversations matter so much.
At the close, I presented a copy of my recent book to Ms. Scorziello. She graciously accepted it, promising it would be catalogued and placed in the school library—a gesture that ensures the message continues to inspire long after the assembly.
Photos and Acknowledgements
We captured the joy of the day with group photos alongside students and the principal, reserved for the school’s memory books.
While still in the gym, Ms. Spiewak, an FDK teacher, came in to express how meaningful the presentation was for them and their students. As I walked through the halls, I was met with heartfelt thanks from teachers, in particular a Special Education Resource Teacher whose words of appreciation underscored the impact of the morning. Their gratitude reminded me that the message had truly resonated.
Closing Moments
As I packed up, I was greeted by countless smiles and cheerful “hellos” from students heading out to recess. Before leaving, we collected those exit tickets that were dropped off at the office, and exchanged goodbyes with Ms. DeMaestri. Though Principal Scorziello was in a meeting, she sent her gratitude through her office, affirming how much she valued the presentation and expressing interest in future visits.
Walking out of the school, I felt the warmth of a community that had embraced the day’s message. The students’ engagement, the teachers’ appreciation, and the principal’s leadership all came together to make the event memorable.
Student Reflections from Exit Tickets
Later, when I reviewed the exit tickets collected today, I was deeply moved by the students’ words. Their reflections captured the impact of the presentation in their own voices, showing how the message of kindness over bullying truly resonated.
I want to share all of their voices here, just as they wrote them, because each one matters and together they tell a powerful story.
Today, I heard / saw … “- I saw that she was excited to be at our school. – She was brave and told us to be brave and we do not have to do it by ourselves.”
This made me think … ” – Being brave. – I can be brave too. – Feel brave like her. – We should be kind. ”
Now, I wonder … ” – How many people have cerebral palsy – if she will ever get better – if it hurts to stand up – if she will get her voice back – Everyone should be treated kindly – how the computer to talk works?”
Today, I heard / saw … ” We saw Gisele talk to us. She is 28 years old. Telling us kindness – people ask questions”
This made me think … ” Kindness, love, being respectful, God. “
Now, I wonder … ” if she can talk more – if she can walk by herself”
Today, I heard / saw … “We saw a presentation about bullying, that we should be kind.”
This made me think … ” That we should not judge a book by its cover.”
Now, I wonder … ” How did Giselle become so brave.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Someone who has a sad disability.”
This made me think … ” how they feel.”
Now, I wonder … ” if the disability feels weird.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” I heard kindness could change the and saw her”
This made me think … ” what happened to her”
Now, I wonder … ” how it happened.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” How many challenges you have to face.”
This made me think … ” How hard it must be.”
Now, I wonder … ” How many people in the world have disabilities?”
Today, I heard / saw … ” A very cool presentation”
This made me think … “A different way about people with disabilities.”
Now, I wonder … ” how I can help people with disabilities.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Giselle Gaylie talk about her disability”
This made me think … ” How hard it is to have a disability.”
Now, I wonder … ” if she drives or can do some things we can’t.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Giselle Gaylie”
This made me think … ” her disability”
Today, I heard / saw … ” someone who has a disability”
This made me think … ” how it feels”
Now, I wonder … ” if life is with her disability”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Perseverance and being strong.”
This made me think … ” I am so lucky.”
Now, I wonder … ” the struggles of her everyday life”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Giselle Gaylie.”
This made me think … ” how hard it is for people with disabilities”
Now, I wonder … ” what it would be like if I her”
Today, I heard / saw … ” someone with a disability.”
This made me think … ” that even though some people have disability that doesn’t stop them.”
Now, I wonder … ” How is it like to have a disability.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” A public speaker.”
This made me think … ” She’s powerful.”
Now, I wonder … ” What her everyday life is?”
Today, I heard / saw … ” A girl with special needs.”
This made me think … ” this is unfair that she looked like that.”
Now, I wonder … ” If she is used to it”
Today, I heard / saw … ” to be kind.”
This made me think … ” to be kind to everyone”
Now, I wonder … ” how it is like to be like her”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Someone with a disability”
This made me think … ” That nothing is impossible.”
Now, I wonder … ” How do disabled people feel.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” What it means to be kind, and how being kind affects people.”
This made me think … ” That help is not a weakness but a strength”
Now, I wonder … ” how can everyone be nice and stop bullying”
Today, I heard / saw … ” something nice.”
This made me think … ” to be more kind”
Now, I wonder … ” kind”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Giselle”
This made me think … ” If she has other friends that have disabilities”
Now, I wonder … ” if she’s married”
Today, I heard / saw … “That she was a Catholic.”
This made me think … ” How hard other people’s life are.”
Now, I wonder … ” How match she battled”
Today, I heard / saw … ” kindness”
This made me think … ” about helping others”
Now, I wonder … ” how I can care for others.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Someone talk about how they weren’t defined by their ‘disability’”
This made me think … ” That more people need to know about cerebral palsy.”
Now, I wonder … ” How exactly cerebral palsy affects the brain”
Today, I heard / saw … “A person who has a disability”
This made me think … ” that anything is possible”
Now, I wonder … ” how lucky I am to be on this earth, even with a disability anything is possible”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Smarter”
Now, I wonder … ” Believe in myself”
Now, I wonder … ” respectful”
Today, I heard / saw … ” How we can help each other”
This made me think … ” How much we can accomplish.”
Now, I wonder … ” what we can do together.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” A presentation of Giselle.”
This made me think … ” even with disabilities you can accomplish the same things.”
Now, I wonder … ” If she can do it who can’t”
Today, I heard / saw … ” A disabled persons point of view.”
This made me think … ” I’m lucky to be me.”
Now, I wonder … ” what does it feel like.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” about disabilities”
This made me think … ” How lucky I am”
Now, I wonder … ” What it feels like”
Today, I heard / saw … ” a person with a different disability”
This made me think … ” that anyone can do and be anything”
Now, I wonder … ” if her life is the same with this disability.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” believing myself.”
This made me think … ” smarter enough.”
Now, I wonder … ” I’m good enough.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Today I heard and saw that we need help each other”
This made me think … ” This made me think that we need help each other.”
Now, I wonder … ” now I wonder that I don’t laugh a person that have a illness.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” A very nice person, and a very nice message.”
This made me think … ” Everybody should be kinder to everyone.”
Now, I wonder … ” How others struggle too.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” A nice presentation about anti-bullying.”
This made me think … “Everyone should be kinder to each other”
Now, I wonder … ” how others struggle like Giselle.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” What I heard is how she was talking about bullying and how her life was. I saw a disability that I haven’t seen.’”
This made me think … ” How lucky we are to not have a disability and to be alive.”
Now, I wonder … ” How life would be with a disability, and how she got through the bullying. (If she was bullied).”
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard her brave story.”
This made me think … ” about how different everyone’s life is”
Now, I wonder … ” all the different challenges people face on a daily basis.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Her dad helping her out”
This made me think … ” Everyone’s story is different.”
Now, I wonder … ” Everyone has faced difficult challenges in their lives”
Today, I heard / saw … ” about disabilities”
This made me think … ” how blessed I am”
Now, I wonder … ” what would I do if I had something like that”
Today, I heard / saw … ” to be respectful.”
This made me think … ” about being respectful, kind.”
Now, I wonder … ” never be part of bullying and always be respectful and kind”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Saw a presentation about respect”
This made me think … ” Think about the other disabilities.”
Now, I wonder … ” How difficult it probably was to learn with a disability.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” That anyone can do anything.”
This made me think … ” That’s impressive”
Now, I wonder … ” can anyone be that good”
Today, I heard / saw … ” being a bully is mean.”
This made me think … ” why make fun of people.”
Now, I wonder … ” why do I mean things.”
Reading these reflections reminded me that even after the assembly ended, the conversation continued in the hearts and minds of the students.
Final Reflection
Opening Bullying Prevention and Awareness Week at St. Louis CES was more than a presentation—it was a celebration of community, empathy, and the power of young voices. The kindness of older students supporting younger ones, the attentiveness of the audience, and the heartfelt thanks from teachers reminded me that change begins with small acts of care.
This day will stay with me, not because of the words I spoke, but because of the way the school community received them—with openness, gratitude, and a commitment to making kindness louder than bullying.
