Bullying Prevention Week At Columbia Elementary
When Columbia Elementary School's principal expressed concerns about incidents of bullying at the school to Big Brothers Big Sisters Director of School-Based Programs, Gianna Shockley, our staff jumped into action creating an anti-bullying program week for the schools 400 pre-k through 6th graders the week of May 19-23. BBBSEMO has operated a school-based program at Columbia Elementary school for the past five years and currently has 41 Littles at the school.
The program's design included hands-on education, rewards and fun. On Monday, students were introduced to the “I Caught You Caring” Box. Students who were “caught” demonstrating positive behaviors had their name put in the box for prize drawings on Friday.
On Tuesday, BBBS staff members led classroom discussions in which students responded to different scenarios. For grades pre-K through 2nd, students discussed what it meant to be a good friend and positive behaviors that would make them a good friend. With the help of staff, third through sixth graders explored the positive and negative consequences of their responses to scenarios.
On Wednesday students attended an assembly where they heard from speakers from 100.3 The Beat, a St. Louis hip hop radio station. Students also heard from an officer from the St. Louis Police Department who shared the importance of treating others with kindness and respect and the consequences of bullying.
On Thursday, students got “hands on” by painting a mural with the anti-bullying theme of “Take A Stand. Lend a Hand.” At the conclusion of the week's activities, students signed a “no bullying” pledge.
“The activities went well. The students seemed to respond well, especially to the more 'hands on' activities like painting the mural,” says School-Based Program Specialist Alissa Muir. “It would be great to be able to adapt and improve the activities used during bullying prevention week and make this an annual event at Columbia! We can't thank enough the 16 Big Brothers Big Sisters employees who took on extra work to help our Littles and all of Columbia Elementary's students. This program also would not have been possible without the support of on-air personalities at 100.3 The Beat, Derrick Henderson, and the St. Louis Police Department.”Date Created: 6/19/2008
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