FREMONT – “THE LANCER CODE”

Kids have heard the anti-bullying message before. So when tasked with creating a Flip the Script anti-bullying initiative for Fremont Middle School (FMS), we worked with the students to create an ownable campaign that did a lot more than simply tell students what not to do. As an inner-city school, FMS students have heard what they can’t or shouldn’t do plenty of times. When working with our core group of students, they told us they wanted a positive message that gave them and their peers something to aspire toward. And they wanted something that spoke directly to them that was uniquely for FMS. Our secondary research told us the exact same thing.

From these insights, the students developed The Lancer Code – a campaign customized to FMS that gave students a set of standards to live up to and help bullying fall away organically. Named after the school’s Lancer mascot, The Code consisted of six virtues chosen by the students – Loyal, Accountable, Noble, Courageous, Empathetic and Respectful – creating the acronym LANCER. The virtues were taught and discussed in advisory class throughout the year and students who embodied the various attributes, could earn custom-designed bracelets for each virtue.

We launched the campaign at a school-wide assembly featuring knights from Tournament of Kings, a custom Snapchat filter, signage and an accompanying field day – with activities corresponding to the different virtues. Everyone earned the first bracelet, Loyal, by participating in the assembly and pledging to try to live up to The Lancer Code.

Feedback from students and teachers alike was overwhelmingly positive, with students taking pride in The Code and eager to earn the subsequent bracelets. The campaign has been implemented across the school, from pep rallies to student counsel talking points, and it’s used as the new standard of what it means to be a Fremont Lancer.