Irvington Schools Teaches Acceptance with Character Education

• The following is a letter from the Irvington School District.

On Friday April 26, all Irvington Middle School students will take part in a Character Building Connection session led by student facilitators from Irvington High School.

• Justin Bachman, a tenth grader at Solon High School in Ohio, will speak at the assembly that begins at 11:20 a.m. in the Campus A&A.

• The middle school students will participate in discussions connected to topics addressed in Justin’s presentation, including acceptance, bullying, difference and positive self -image. 

• In addition, as part of the session, students will participate in an activity around the idea: We are all made of the same things. We may look different, but what makes us is the same.

• The whole school assembly will be followed, later in the day (1:20 p.m.), by breakout sessions facilitated by high school students. 

Bachman is Justin knows firsthand what it is like to be different. He has Tourette’s Syndrome.

He was constantly picked on in grade school and for two years, he was not allowed to go out for recess because he was considered a behavior problem. Through strength and courage, Justin has used his experiences to rise above his challenges. He regularly does volunteer work, is a member of his high school’s cross country team, plays in his high school marching, concert, and jazz bands and is an honor roll student. 

Justin and his family created a non-profit organization called Honor Good Deeds which connects people with opportunities to become involved in and helped by their community. Justin’s favorite activity with Honor Good Deeds is speaking with audiences on the importance of creating tolerant and accepting environments. He never wants anyone to have to experience the intolerance he has faced.

Justin’s Presentation will include the following topics:

• What Tourette Syndrome is
• What makes him different – facing challenges
• Exclusion
• Bullying
• Unintentional harm
• Look at self positively
• Acts of kindness