NO MORE BULLIESWhat this nonviolent program teaches childrenBy Debra Scacciaferro Daily Record Here's what Juli Savettiere of the No More Bullies! program teaches students: There’s a difference between a bully and a mean-mistake. She teaches children that everybody makes “mean-mistakes,” actions that hurt someone’s feelings. When they do, they must say they’re sorry. “What does sorry mean?” she asks. “You feel bad that you hurt someone else! You’ll try not to do it again,” shout the children. A bully is a person who is not sorry, Savetiere tells them. A bully hurts other people’s body and feelings over and over again. “Inside stuff” is more important than “outside stuff.” Through roll playing, Savetierre demonstrates that “outside stuff”—how we look and act – is not as important as our “inside stuff” or feelings. In the Same and Different game, children learn about tolerance for our differences. That if someone’s short, or tall, that’s OK. But if someone teases them, or hurts them for being different, it’s not OK.
What to do when confronted by a bully. Never cry, whine or yell in front of a bully. Calmly say one of the Big 3 non-confrontational statements: “What I do is not about you.” OR “You think what you think and I think what I think.” OR “Why do you care what I wear?” Then walk away and find a caring majority or a grownup.
How to form a “Caring Majority.” Children practice what to do when they see someone being bullied. On the playground, they stop their game and form a caring majority to go over and invite the victim to play with them. On a bus, they can help the victim find a different seat, away from a bully. If there is the threat of violence, they can send someone to “GGG” –go get a grownup. They can also accompany the victim to find help or report the incident.
About win-win situations She teaches them that everyone deserves to have his or her body and feelings be safe—even bullies. “Should we ever hurt a bully’s body or feelings? Even if you are mad at them?” she asks the class. “No, never!” they yell.
CHARACTER EDUCATION AT NORMANDY PARK This year our character education activities will revolve around the six pillars of good character, one of which will be highlighted each month.
Character Education Activities: “No Bullies Allowed” Assembly Monday September 29th *Monthly Community meetings highlighting one of the six pillars of good character. Each month one primary, one intermediate and one senior class will select representatives to share their thoughts on that month’s character trait at the community meeting. I have ordered character education materials for teachers to utilize with your students each month (particularly during your classroom community meetings). *Grade level “No More Bullies” assemblies facilitated by myself, Mr. Cole and members of the school Character Education Committee. *Daily appearances by staff members in the “Character Corner” portion of the Normandy Park Network News. These staff members will share our daily “caring messages” with the entire school community as part of the morning broadcasts. * Mr. Cole’s peer mediators will create and perform skits highlighting the six pillars of good character for primary and intermediate students. *Future assembly programs on the subject of tolerance, citizenship, bullying, etc. to be performed throughout the school year. (Dates and times TBA)
The following are the classroom assignments for presentation at our monthly community meetings:
|
|