Oakdale-Bohemia Middle School recently held “Brave Day” for the seventh-grade student body, thanks to the joint efforts of OBMS staff members Diana Burke, Meghan Cunningham, Alison Hudson, Shannon Lang and Mairead McInnes. The day was designed to facilitate understanding, appreciation and greater tolerance among students by having them hold in-depth conversations and participate in ice-breaking activities in small groups.

Brave Day is an extension of OBMS’s All In bully-proofing program. All students are inducted into this program in the sixth grade by taking a three-day course on bullying prevention and formulating a plan of action. At the induction ceremony, the sixth-graders take a pledge to stand up to and speak out against bullying, and to be positive change-makers.

The All In program also provides students with opportunities to act as responsible citizens by serving on different teams. Team All In members teach, Team Wisdom members write and recite the words of wisdom given during morning announcements, Team Brave helps to create a safe school environment, and the All In Nation team provides school news to fellow peers.

To enhance the overall message of self-determination and being kind to one another, Oakdale-Bohemia Middle School recently invited American Paralympian, wrestler and motivational speak Rohan Murphy to speak to students. After losing both legs at an early age, Murphy took his disability and turned it into something positive by achieving a successful athletic career and proving that there are no reasons to quit when it comes to setting your mind toward a specific goal.