Trying to Put a Stop to Bullying
South Mountain works to create a kinder culture; knitters look to raise awareness; Habitat for Humanity students rake leaves; Coalition hosts preschool open house
South Mountain's anti-bullying campaign
South Mountain Elementary is working to stop bullying on several fronts – assemblies, meetings with parents, peer counseling training and perhaps the most effective of all, says Principal Tina Lehn, the "morning meeting."
Each morning, all classrooms from kindergarten to 5th grade, start the day seated together on the floor and share a relaxed conversation about what's going on, what's coming up and talk about things they can do to help each other and to be inclusive.
"Our emphasis on a kinder, gentler school is already showing results," Lehn said. "I've overheard and our teachers have heard children reminding peers how to treat another child. And several have reached out to someone who looks like they could use a friend. I'm very proud of them."
At the beginning of the year, Lehn visited each classroom and issued a challenge to all the students to watch out for each other and to stand up for someone they see being bullied – either by saying something right then or by telling an adult.
Some of the artwork in the 5th Grade hallway shows how doing the right thing is on their minds. In an assignment about their dreams for 5th grade, several students said they dreamed of a school with no bullying. To meet that goal, they would stand up for others. Several pieces also dealt with making friends with kids who are alone at recess.
"My dream for 5th grade is to help people who need help and stop bullying," says one. "... If I see a lonely kid, I'll ask him to play with me. He won't be lonely anymore."
Another says: "If there is somebody bullying someone else, go up to them and ask them nicely to stop. Then hang out with the other one."
Lehn says the school's social workers will visit classrooms to reinforce the anti-bullying message, and soon fifth graders will begin jobs as peer mediators, working with teachers to resolve conflicts at recess and lunch.
Rebels with a cause -- ninja knitters take on bullying also
Those wooly rebels are at it again -- rememember the clocks they covered with Halloween themed swatches a couple of weeks ago? Now they hope to send a "Stop Bullying" message by tagging 1,000 stop signs in South Orange and Maplewood.
Because of the great number of stop signs, Rebel Yarns is seeking help from the knitting community at large – or from anyone in the area who wants to send a message to stop bullying.
If you're interested in being part of this grass roots campaign, here's what to do:
Between now and Sunday, Nov. 21, knit or crochet one orange swatch, 8 inches by 4 inches. On that day or evening tie the swatch around a stop sign pole and attach a note with your thoughts on bullying or that just says "Stop Bullying."
"You don't even have to know how to knit, you can wrap yarn around a pole for all we care," said Wooly Momma, who is planning this event with knitter Purl Buck. (The yarnstormers have asked to go by their code names.)
These rebels recommend bringing extra yarn or pipe cleaners to attach the swatches to the poles.
Check back here later this month to see what they have planned for Thanksknitting.
Seton Hall students with Habitat for Humanity raking leaves to raise money
The big winds of the last couple of days have helped bring a lot of leaves down, and if you're dreading getting out there and raking, why not call someone to do it for you AND help out a good cause at the same time? Seton Hall's Habitat for Humanity group is raking leaves to raise money for an alternative spring break trip – a trip where students build houses for people who need them, instead of lounging around on a beach somewhere. Last weekend, about 34 students fanned out around South Orange to rake about 20 yards. Next weekend, there will be more students and more houses. To get on their list, contact Matt Dudek at 908-477-9178.
Attention parents of young children: Coalition on Race hosts preschool open house tonight
The South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race hosts its Ninth Annual Preschool Open House tonight from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Columbia High School Cafeteria located at 17 Parker Ave. in Maplewood. More than 20 preschool and child-care agency representatives will be on hand to provide information and answer questions. At 7 p.m., there will also be a presentation about kindergarten readiness. The Coalition co-sponsors this free event with the Neighborhood Association & Civic Life Committee and the Schools Committee, as a way to help close the minority academic achievement gap, beginning in the earliest years of education.
Rita Desnoyers-Garcia
4:12 pm on Wednesday, November 10, 2010
I wanted to add another angle to consider. So often when we see a problem we start a campaign to "anti-problem" it or have a "war" about it (war on drugs, war on terrorism, anti-bullying, anti-discrimination and so on). The result many times is to notice more of the problem and then push harder on the "anti-problem" campaign. When we are against something, we actually give it power. What we resist, persists. Consider focusing on what we want versus what we don't want. How about a "compassion" campaign or a "friendship" or "comraderie" or "kindness" campaign. Instead of telling kids, don't do this, guide them to what feels better. I support Mrs. Lehn and there have been some great results in the morning meetings. Reframing the energy of the campaign to what we want to see more of and then dealing with what we don't want (bullying) with compassionate, firm action, we will nurture those qualities in our kids (and adults).
Mother Teresa seemed to understand this when she was asked to join an "anti-war" march and she declined. She was interested in a "peace" march.
Laura Griffin
6:56 pm on Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Thanks for your comments, Rita. I definitely think that's what is taking place now at South Mountain -- framing the discussion in terms of inclusion, being kind to one another and standing up for each other because it's the right thing to do. And it does seem to be making a difference in how children are treating each one another, at least for now, while it's on their minds. Let's hope they keep it up!