No Name-Calling Week: Anti-Bullying Guide For Schools
No Name-Calling Week happens during January's third week each year. GLSEN created this anti-bullying initiative in 2004, in partnership with Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing. James Howe's novel "The Misfits" inspired it. The author's daughter Zoey had rough middle school experiences that shaped the story.
Here's what the numbers tell us: 34.0% of teenagers ages 12-17 report being bullied within twelve months. Sexual and gender minority students? They face much higher rates at 47.1% compared to 30.0% of their peers. This indicates why schools need real action, not just policies.
The observance makes a clear connection between books and change. Schools across America now use this week to tackle name-calling head-on.
Key Info: No Name-Calling Week
- When is No Name-Calling Week?
Occurs in the 3rd week of January - This Year (2026):
Monday 19th - Friday 23rd January 2026 (date has passed) -
Future Dates
- Monday 18th - Friday 22nd January 2027
- Monday 17th - Friday 21st January 2028
- Monday 15th - Friday 19th January 2029
- Monday 21st - Friday 25th January 2030
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Additional Details
- Observed By: Students, teachers, and school communities in educational institutions
- Where Is It Observed: United States
- Primary Theme: Anti-Bullying and Inclusion
- Hashtags: #NoNameCallingWeek #KindnessMatters #AntiBullying #SchoolSafety #Inclusion #Respect #GLSEN
Quick Links: No Name-Calling Week
Why Schools Face a Name-Calling Crisis
Verbal harassment damages kids in lasting ways. UCLA Health and the University of Glasgow tracked 10,000 children for nearly two decades; adolescents bullied at age 11 who developed trust issues by age 14 were 3.5 times more likely to have serious mental health problems at age 17.
Name-calling remains a widespread form of bullying. Pew Research Center found that 32% of U.S. teens had been called an offensive name online or by cellphone, making it the most commonly reported form of cyberbullying in its 2022 survey.
The consequences extend beyond hurt feelings. The CDC links bullying with social and emotional distress, depression, anxiety, sleep difficulties, lower academic achievement, and increased risk of dropping out.
Schools need consistent, school-wide efforts to address harmful language before it becomes normalized. No Name-Calling Week provides a focused opportunity for students, educators, and families to challenge name-calling and build a school culture where bullying is taken seriously.
Implementation Toolkit for Educators
Schools need structured approaches to make real impact. Your implementation checklist:
Pre-Planning Phase
• Form committee with administrators, teachers, counselors, student reps
• Check current climate through surveys or focus groups
• Spot specific harassment patterns and who gets targeted
• Set clear goals for the week and beyond
Resource Development
• Get GLSEN materials and partner resources
• Prep age-appropriate discussion stuff and lesson plans
• Design poster contests and visual campaigns
• Plan daily announcement content
Staff Preparation
• Run professional development on handling tough conversations
• Train teachers to spot and respond to verbal harassment
• Set up clear reporting rules
Community Engagement
• Send info letters to parents explaining the initiative
• Work with local organizations
• Plan family activities
Timeline of the Movement
James Howe publishes "The Misfits," addressing bullying themes inspired by his daughter Zoey's experiences
GLSEN establishes first No Name-Calling Week through partnership with Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
The observance spreads to schools nationwide with support from over 40 national partner organizations
Digital resources and online support materials get developed, reaching way more educators
Annual January awareness week continues with year-round messaging and expanded coalition support
Measuring Success and Sustaining Impact
Evidence shows what works. Research analysis demonstrates that school-based anti-bullying efforts cut bullying perpetration by roughly 18-20% and victimization by 15-16%.
Look for fewer incident reports, better climate surveys, and more kids asking for help. Track these before, during, and after the observance week.
Comprehensive efforts with school, classroom, and individual parts show the strongest evidence for reducing bullying behavior. Quality matters more than perfect execution; when schools do decent work, the specific program details matter less than consistent effort.
This relates to existing anti-bullying frameworks already in place. Weave lessons into regular curriculum rather than treating awareness as a one-off event.
Schools succeed when they view this week as a starting point, not the finish line.
Beyond Awareness to Action
Turn week-long observance into lasting change through smart planning. Professional development extends learning past January. Teachers need ongoing support dealing with complex social dynamics.
Student leadership programs create peer advocates year-round. Parent engagement brings families into conversations about respect and inclusion. Policy work connects activities to formal frameworks based on what you learn.
Continue fighting for this advocacy by also joining Bullying Prevention Month and International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
Resources:
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
The week started for fifth through eighth graders but now works across all school levels. Elementary and middle schools still make up most participants. They run poster contests and class discussions. High schools joined in 2010 with a different focus. They tackle anti-LGBT bias and identity issues alongside general bullying prevention. Beyond this, the approach follows how kids develop. Younger students learn basic respect and kindness. Older students dig into complex identity-related bullying. This progression makes practical sense for different age groups.
Schools need concrete numbers. Track how many students witness, experience, or commit name-calling. GLSEN research shows these behaviors drop within one school year when measured properly. But here's what matters more - check if students change how they justify bullying behavior. This relates to moral disengagement research. Students might just get better at hiding problems rather than solving them. Measuring both behaviors and attitudes gives the real picture of progress.
Frame this as better implementation of existing anti-bullying policies, not new programming. GLSEN provides free resources - zero budget impact. Schools face legal exposure from discrimination claims, and proactive prevention reduces liability. Students with less harassment show improved attendance and test scores. Start small with pilot programs. One grade level or voluntary teacher participation works. Present it as professional development that improves classroom management year-round. Provide template letters for common parent concerns about age-appropriateness.
This week targets verbal harassment and identity-based slurs specifically. January timing lets schools reset climate after winter break social dynamics shift. GLSEN's approach includes explicit LGBTQ+ focus that broader anti-bullying efforts sometimes skip. The literary connection through "The Misfits" book provides real curriculum integration opportunities. Beyond this, the concentrated five-day format creates intensive culture change rather than month-long diluted messaging. Schools use this as mid-year intervention when peer relationships need attention most.
Create monthly follow-ups like "Kindness Fridays" or peer recognition programs. Train student leaders as ongoing harassment specialists who handle peer-to-peer incidents. Weave respectful communication into existing curriculum instead of standalone presentations. This suggests using consequence protocols with restorative justice approaches for name-calling. Schedule quarterly climate surveys to track real progress. Set up teacher buddy systems for ongoing professional development around difficult conversations. Connect with local community organizations for extended programming throughout the year.
Barbara is a former journalist who is passionate about translating important causes into engaging narratives. She combines communication expertise with an environmental science background to create accessible, fact-driven content.
