With school back in session, teachers and staff at Bellwood-Antis decided it was time to take a stand against bullying.
The elementary, middle and high school all have bullying prevention programs in place this year.
Starting in kindergarten, students will learn what bullying is and what to do when someone is being bullied.
Myers Elementary Principal, Terri Harpster said teaching students about bullying beginning in elementary school will change their views and hopefully the changes will stay with them through middle and high school.
At the elementary level, students are learning to BARK against bullying. BARK stands for Bellwood-Antis Recognizes Kids. This slogan was originally developed by Rob Laubenstein, Guidance Counselor for the Character Education Program. The dog was developed as a part of the school’s Character Education program. After a great deal of success with the program, Harpster said it seemed like a good fit to connect the school’s anti-bullying efforts with the character.
To kick off the school year, students attended an assembly program with video clips. Harpster explained the assembly as students teaching students. The video helped define bullying, showed examples and told students what could be done to prevent bullying. Also during the assembly, students in kindergarten through fourth grade watched a music video titled “Don’t Laugh at Me” by Peter, Paul and Mary. Middle School students also watched the music video. Harpster felt the video really touched a lot of the kids who saw it. As a reminder, the words to the song are posted in the elementary school.
Following the presentation, teachers and students were given bracelets with the slogan BARK against bullying written on them. The bracelets were purchased using funds from the PTO and the district’s student activities fund. The hope is that by wearing the same bracelet, everyone in the school will be unified in their efforts against bullying.
Students also learned three goals from the BARK Against Bullying campaign. The goals state, “We do not bully. We stand up for others being bullied and we do not exclude others.”
Each morning, along with the Pledge of Allegiance, students recite their pledge to BARK against bullying, saying, “I pledge to BARK against bullying. I will not bully others. I will stand up for others being bullied. I will include students that are left out.”
The bullying pledge also offers a reminder of the bullying handshake. This is a gesture students can use to remind other students not to bully others.
Individuals who visit Myers Elementary will also notice other changes throughout the school building. Many different bully-free banners hang throughout the halls and the “Bully Free Rules” are posted at many locations.
The bully free rules read, “We will not bully other students or tolerate bullying. We will help other students who are being bullied. We will make it a point to include all students who are left out. When we know someone is being bullied, we will stand up for them or tell an adult at school or home.” The banners and signs provide a constant reminder for students.
The school has also revamped the reporting and follow-ups when it comes to bullying. There is now a form titled “I think I am being bullied.” This is for students or parents to fill out. The form should be turned into the office. The report will be investigated and the person completing the form will receive the appropriate follow-up. Students found bullying will be disciplined according to the district’s policy.
“We’d rather get a whole stack of these forms and have them turn out to be nothing,” said Harpster, “rather than not realize how much bullying is going on.”
