Governor Deval Patrick has designated Jan. 25 as “No Name Calling Day” in Massachusetts as part of the state’s anti-bullying efforts in public schools. Nation-wide, Jan. 23 - Jan. 27 is "No Name Calling Week."  

Legislation signed by the governor in 2010 included a provision for a ‘No Name Calling Day," the Associated Press reported.

“In my role as Governor and as a father of two daughters, I firmly believe that every child should come to school knowing that they are safe and free from bullying,” said Governor Patrick in a press statement. “No Name Calling Day will remind us of the type of vigilance we should exhibit every day to ensure our students are free from the dangers and distractions of bullying.”

The state is urging students to sign a pledge against name-calling and students are encouraged to wear black on Jan. 25 to symbolize their commitment to “Black Out Bullying."

In Foxborough, students are participating in taking a stand against name-calling.

According to the Foxborough Regional Charter School's website, students are encouraged to wear a solid black tee shirt or sweatshirt on Jan. 25th as a sign of their commitment to “Black Out Bullying." Students will also have the opportunity to sign a banner that reads, “I pledge to take a stand against bullying and name calling.”

After a number of highly publicized bullying incidents including the case of South Hadley High student Phoebe Prince, school districts in Mass. are required to develop anti-bullying strategies. A task force on bullying at Foxborough High School presented to the school committee last summer with results of a bullying survey conducted in Foxborough schools. Survey results showed that Foxborough needs to continue to work on the problem, but is in better shape than the overall national average.