Students in Jenna Piscopo's second grade class with Ms. Piscopo and the "No Hitting" pledge that the all signed. Stratford School second-graders brainstormed about constructive and amiable ways people use their hands to express themselves and other acceptable methods of self-expression in February during a 45-minute interactive workshop conducted by visitors from the Nassau County Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Inc.

Presenters from the Coalition visited every second-grade classroom at Stratford to lead discussions about the choices children have in expressing themselves. They emphasized that violent behavior is never an appropriate reaction or form of communication; discussed appropriate and inappropriate use of hands; and talked about positive ways for setting and acknowledging boundaries, such as asking for permission.

Finally, the children traced and colored their hands onto a pledge form, added the form to a class poster entitled Hands Are Not for Hitting, and, with great enthusiasm, took the Hands Are Not for Hitting pledge by promising never to use their hands for violence. The pledges now hang in every second-grade classroom throughout the school.