Human Difference Committee (HDC) and Anti-Bullying Committee. Mason-Rice is committed to "Just say No to the bully!"  The committee of parents and teachers work together with principal Mark Springer, on ideas and actions that can reinforce understanding of bullying  and our anti-bullying policy in the classroom and school community.  Learn more about Committee members. In addition, books are read in classes regularly and circulated home.  Some recommended reading are listed below.

Recommended Reading

1. The Name Jar  by Yangsook Choi. Grade K-1: A touching story about an immigarnt Korean girl, Unhei, who, after being teased about her name, becomes torn about what to call herself.  With the help of classmates, her family and a local merchant, she learns to take pride in her heritage.
2. Teammates by Peter Golenbock and Paul Bacon.  Grades 2-3: The moving story of how Jackie Robinson became the first black player on a major league baseball team and how on a fateful day in Cincinnati, PeeWee Reese took a stand and declared Jackie his teammate.
3. Passage to Freedom:  The Sugihara Story  by Ken Mochizuki. Grades 4-5: In 1940, a Japanese diplomat to Lithuania issued visas to Jewish refugees against the orders of his government—and quietly saved thousands of lives. Told through the eyes of the diplomat’s young son, this real-life story shows how one person made a tremendous difference in history, and carries a powerful message for us today.
4. Horace and Morris but Mostly Dolores by James Howe, Grade K-2:  Horace, Morris, and Dolores have been best friends forever. They do everything together -- from sailing the seven sewers to climbing Mount Ever-Rust. But one day Horace and Morris join the Mega-Mice (no girls allowed), and Dolores joins the Cheese Puffs (no boys allowed). Is this the end? A wonderful and hilarious characterizations of three mice friends enliven Howe’s jocular plot that pokes fun at boys-only and girls-only clubs.
5. Trouble Talk by Trudy Ludwig, Grade 3-5: Maya’s new friend Bailey loves to talk, and everything—including everyone—is fair game. But when Bailey gives hurtful advice, shares others’ information, and spreads harmful rumors, Maya realizes that Bailey is not the kind of friend she needs. And Bailey learns that, in her efforts to establish connection and gain attention, “trouble talk” doesn’t win her lasting friendships.

All these books are short.  This is a great opportunity to get together with your child and discuss and better understand the meaning of "bullying."