“No bullying, no bullying. We are bully free,” is the cheer students, teachers, and welcomed community members will be chanting Friday morning at the Pike County Elementary School where the school will be holding its first annual Stomp Out Bullying Rally at 8 a.m.

Pike County Elementary School has been participating in national Bully prevention week with themed days throughout the week to make students, teachers, parents, and the community more aware of bullying and to declare the school a no bully zone.

Stephanie Tucker, a fifth-grade teacher at PCES, originated the idea of holding a Stomp Out Rally. “ I wanted to do something to that benefited our students,” Tucker said.

While bullying is not an issue in the school, Tucker said it is a growing concern nationally and “we are bringing it to the foreground and making signs of bullying aware to our students.”

On Monday students participated by wearing blue to school for “Blue about bullies and bullying.” The student who wore the most blue had a free snack for the day.

Tuesday was “Write out bullying” as students wrote essays about the effects of bullying. The winning essay will be chosen and the student will receive a $10 gift card at Friday’s rally.

Wednesday was “draw out bullying,” and students made posters supporting the message of no bullying on campus and a winner will also be given a $10 gift card Friday. Today, students are cleaning up the campus in “Clean up bully day”.

The rally starts at 8 a.m. and is open to the community. Officer Sapp from the Brundidge Police Department will be present to discuss with students the dangers of bullying and how it can progress into adulthood. Troy University Fraternity Omega Psi Phi will be providing entertainment as members stomp their way out of bullying. Coca-Cola has provided the school with a No Bully zone sign to hang at the entrance of the school after the rally.

More than 100 of the special t-shirts have been ordered by students, faculty and even parents and families to wear for the event. “I did not realize they were going to take part in it so much,” Tucker said.

Feeling that the prevention week has been a success so far, a No Bullying Committee has been set up to continue the efforts to eliminate and inform students about bullying. Those members consist of Tucker, Kristina Anderson, Samuel Valentine, Christine Wheeler, and Intern from Troy University, Blair Wise.

“I don’t want anyone feeling they can’t go to school feeling afraid. I wanted students to see bullying is wrong, but also parents and teachers to be more aware of what to watch out for as well,” Tucker said.