February 18, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bailey Huston
[email protected] | 952-838-9000
PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center and Planet Fitness celebrate the first round of ‘Students with Solutions’ contest winners
Minneapolis: As part of its continued commitment to prevent bullying and promote kindness among today’s youth, Planet Fitness, Inc, one of the largest and fastest-growing global franchisors and operators of fitness centers with more members than any other fitness brand, teamed up with PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center, the nation’s leading nonprofit bullying prevention organization, to launch the Students with Solutions guide and contest.
This past fall, the Students with Solutions contest received submissions from schools, classrooms, and individuals across the country. Each entry showcased a creative representation—in the form of videos, art, photos, poems, and more—of what the students envisioned for acts of kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. The program was made possible through Planet Fitness’ philanthropic initiative, the Judgement Free Generation, which aims to combat the judgement and bullying faced by today’s youth by creating a culture of kindness and encouragement.
Buddy benches engraved with a customized message were awarded to the two Kindness Champions of the first round of the contest: Grand Innovation Academy in Casa Grande, Arizona, and Parker Junior High in Flossmoor, Illinois. The five Kindness Advocate winners—Howe Elementary in Detroit, MI; St Michael Academy in Fernandina Beach, FL; Renaissance Kids in Pleasant Valley, NY; Warren Middle School in Warren, AR; and Gladstone Elementary in San Dimas, CA—received a package of playground equipment and games. Finally, the ten Kindness Classroom award recipients were given Students with Solutions prize packs.
In addition to the creative submissions, the contest collected dozens of success stories from teachers and participants who participated and used the Students with Solutions video and curriculum guide to lead group dialogues about bullying prevention. “By having our students participate in the Students with Solutions contest, our students became aware of what bullying entails, the dangers of it, and how being kind to each other is extremely important,” said a teacher from Gladstone Elementary. “Our students continue to practice and remind one another to speak up, reach out, and be a kid against bullying!”
Thanks to the success of the first round, the second round of the Students with Solutions will be open for submissions starting Tuesday, February 18, 2020. Submissions will close on April 30, 2020. For more information about participating in the spring run of the Students with Solutions contest, please visit the Students with Solutions webpage
For more information about the National Bullying Prevention Center or the Students with Solutions contest please call 952-838-9000 or email Bailey Huston at [email protected].
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