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NO GUFF Week ... A Falmouth Tradition |
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About NO GUFF Week
Falmouth's annual NO GUFF Week is a time when students and staff work together to create a positive atmosphere in the school and avoid name-calling and put-downs. In 2001, Falmouth High School adjustment counselor Greg Gilbert was working with a group of students t find a proactive way to handle conflicts. They came up with the phrase "no guff" and worked with graphic arts teacher Doug Riebesehl to print No Guff t-shirts for students. Shortly after that first celebration, Mr. Riebesehl was killed in a tragic motorcycle accident. Since then, No Guff has been held in his remembrance, as he empowered students to get involved in creating a positive atmosphere. Each year, students and staff are asked to take the No Guff pledge, which states: I will not speak or text anything negative about anyone for an entire day.
Last year, seniors chose Sierra Abbott (a two-time winner) and Patrick Hodgson (a two-time winner) as their top choices. Juniors voted Danielle Shea (a three-time winner) and Nathaniel Evans (two-time winner) as their No Guff award recipients. Top sophomore vote-getters were Catherine Brodie (a two-time winner) and Grant Leachman. Freshmen selected Skylar Gonsalves and Trevor Hodgson as their award winners. Staff members voted colleagues Paula Carlson and Tom Ward as their top choices for this year’s No Guff recipients. In addition, Mary Gans awarded the Principal’s Award to FHS Sophomore Marvell Nicholson.
2019 also marks the sixth year that a NO GUFF Community Spirit Award has been presented to a community member who “consistently displays a positive attitude, avoids talking negatively about others, practices random acts of kindness, and offers kind words or lend a hand to others.” The 2018 recipient of the Community Spirit Award was Laura Peterson. Laura is involved with—and volunteers for—many organizations and nonprofits in Falmouth including Jack’s Pact, the Falmouth Service Center, and Falmouth VIPS. She is the CEO of Cape Cod Aggregates and lives in Falmouth with her husband, Dave, and daughters Grace and Olivia. In her nomination for the award, Laura is referred to as “a community leader in kindness” for both the “little things she does behind the scenes” to the bigger things like supporting local projects and causes. “Laura truly has a heart of gold,” wrote one person. “She is calm, relatable, interested and flexible.” The nomination cited Laura’s creation of a Facebook page called “Falmouth Helping Falmouth” as evidence of her passion for helping. The page features posts about projects, organizations, needs, and causes that are important to our town. “Laura is a special person who deserves to be recognized with the No Guff Community Spirit Award.”
This year’s NO GUFF Week marks the 18th annual observation of a tradition unique to Falmouth. No Guff Week s a time to celebrate respect and anti-bullying. No Guff Week encourages celebrations of respect, community, and unity. In the schools, it is a time when students and staff work together to create a positive atmosphere in the school and avoid name-calling and put-downs. The theme for 2019 is “Do Good Things.” Local businesses Cavossa Disposal Corporation and Cape Cod Aggregates donated funds for this year’s NO GUFF Week t-shirts. A NO GUFF Week video, produced by Morse Pond teacher Ann Goulart, focusing on "Be the Wind of Change" can be viewed below.
Last year, seniors chose Sierra Abbott (a two-time winner) and Patrick Hodgson (a two-time winner) as their top choices. Juniors voted Danielle Shea (a three-time winner) and Nathaniel Evans (two-time winner) as their No Guff award recipients. Top sophomore vote-getters were Catherine Brodie (a two-time winner) and Grant Leachman. Freshmen selected Skylar Gonsalves and Trevor Hodgson as their award winners. Staff members voted colleagues Paula Carlson and Tom Ward as their top choices for this year’s No Guff recipients. In addition, Mary Gans awarded the Principal’s Award to FHS Sophomore Marvell Nicholson.
2019 also marks the sixth year that a NO GUFF Community Spirit Award has been presented to a community member who “consistently displays a positive attitude, avoids talking negatively about others, practices random acts of kindness, and offers kind words or lend a hand to others.” The 2018 recipient of the Community Spirit Award was Laura Peterson. Laura is involved with—and volunteers for—many organizations and nonprofits in Falmouth including Jack’s Pact, the Falmouth Service Center, and Falmouth VIPS. She is the CEO of Cape Cod Aggregates and lives in Falmouth with her husband, Dave, and daughters Grace and Olivia. In her nomination for the award, Laura is referred to as “a community leader in kindness” for both the “little things she does behind the scenes” to the bigger things like supporting local projects and causes. “Laura truly has a heart of gold,” wrote one person. “She is calm, relatable, interested and flexible.” The nomination cited Laura’s creation of a Facebook page called “Falmouth Helping Falmouth” as evidence of her passion for helping. The page features posts about projects, organizations, needs, and causes that are important to our town. “Laura is a special person who deserves to be recognized with the No Guff Community Spirit Award.”
This year’s NO GUFF Week marks the 18th annual observation of a tradition unique to Falmouth. No Guff Week s a time to celebrate respect and anti-bullying. No Guff Week encourages celebrations of respect, community, and unity. In the schools, it is a time when students and staff work together to create a positive atmosphere in the school and avoid name-calling and put-downs. The theme for 2019 is “Do Good Things.” Local businesses Cavossa Disposal Corporation and Cape Cod Aggregates donated funds for this year’s NO GUFF Week t-shirts. A NO GUFF Week video, produced by Morse Pond teacher Ann Goulart, focusing on "Be the Wind of Change" can be viewed below.
2019 No Guff Community Spirit Award
2019 marks the 6th year that the No Guff Community Spirit Award has been bestowed upon an individual who exemplifies the No Guff spirit in his or her daily life. Nominees must reside in Falmouth; staff and students of Falmouth Public Schools are not eligible as awards are given within the schools).
Winners of the No Guff Community Spirit Award are those who:
- consistently display a positive attitude
- avoid talking negatively about others
- practice 'random acts of kindness'
- offer kind words or lend a hand to others in need
Past Winners of the No Guff Community Spirit Award:
2018: Laura Peterson
2017: Annie Hart Cool
2016: Jennifer Connors
2015: Craig D'Amario
2014: Samantha Mueller
Voting for this year has closed, but you can start thinking about your 2020 nomination!
Winners of the No Guff Community Spirit Award are those who:
- consistently display a positive attitude
- avoid talking negatively about others
- practice 'random acts of kindness'
- offer kind words or lend a hand to others in need
Past Winners of the No Guff Community Spirit Award:
2018: Laura Peterson
2017: Annie Hart Cool
2016: Jennifer Connors
2015: Craig D'Amario
2014: Samantha Mueller
Voting for this year has closed, but you can start thinking about your 2020 nomination!
