The United Independent School District  proudly joined the national movement against bullying by wearing orange on Unity Day, a day dedicated to promoting kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. October marks National Bullying Prevention Month, and every third Wednesday of the month, schools, communities, and organizations across the country unite to send a powerful message: bullying is not tolerated, and every individual deserves to feel safe and respected.

“Bulling has long lasting effects on our students and many times they dont discuss these issues because they think it’s the norm. It shouldn’t be and we need to let everyone know that this is not acceptable behavior,” said UISD Program Compliance Coordinator Nancy Newsome.

According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, 1 in 5 students reports being bullied, with a higher percentage of cases involving female students, highlighting the urgency for awareness and proactive prevention. UISD continues to take meaningful steps to combat bullying through innovative programs.

This year, the district introduced an exciting new initiative, the UGLI Club, supported by the UGLI Foundation, an anti-bullying organization founded by Angela Garcia in Austin, Texas. The foundation awarded 17 UISD schools, 13 middle schools and 4 high schools, with $2,000 grants each to launch and maintain their own UGLI Clubs.

UGLI, which stands for Unique. Gifted. Loved. Individual., empowers students to embrace their differences while promoting compassion and respect across campuses. In addition to the grants, the UGLI Foundation provides participating schools with branded merchandise, a comprehensive club activity guide, seasonal programming, and access to informational webinars for teachers, administrators, and parents.

Through a partnership with Lightspeed Systems, the UGLI Foundation is also 

 implementing online antibullying efforts for UISD through a $50,000 technology grant. It is the first of its kind, and it will further strengthen digital safety and support the district’s anti-bullying efforts.

United South School Senior, Briana Hernandez is excited about joining the UGLI 

Club.

“I hope I can help impact those around me and make a difference in the way we treat each other,” she said. “I know what it’s like to be bullied, so I’m hoping we can all be better and kinder through this program.”

“Being part of the UGLI Club helps me embrace who I am,” added Adolfo Romero, a senior at Lyndon B. Johnson High School. “It’s okay to be different. I hope we can give a voice to those who may not be able to speak up.”

UISD Program Compliance Coordinator Nancy Newsome, who assisted in securing the grant, shared her optimism about the impact of the initiative.

“Our schools are very excited to start the clubs, one campus already has over 56 students signed up. They are our future, and if we teach them early on about boundaries and respecting one another, we can create a better world.” 

UISD remains committed to building a culture of empathy and respect across all its campuses, one where every student feels seen, supported, and safe. For more information on anti-bullying resources and programs contact the UISD Guidance and Counseling Department at (956) 473-473-2098.