Shelburne students pull together in the fight against bullying : Shelburne Free Press : https://shelburnefreepress.ca

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Shelburne students pull together in the fight against bullying

The 2nd week of November was “Bully Prevention Week” and though area students wore the colour pink in support of the Anti-Bullying movement during that week's activities, area youth did not stop there. Shelburne and area have much to be proud of with regards to our younger population of caring, kind, sincere elementary students and the great lengths they are achieving in their stand against Bullying. In what has become a nation- wide area of utmost concern, Bullying has taken on a serious and sometimes grave, life of its own and the long term affects can be life altering.
In an unprecedented attempt to attack the problem strategically, the Red Cross initiative, Beyond The Hurt is a program specifically targeting the youngest of our population and helps them to employ strategies, deflate harmful situations, provides new and useful perspectives and often that concept begins with teaching a new word, that being empathy.
Upper Grand District School Boards' Child and Youth Care Workers have been trained by the Red Cross to bring the Beyond The Hurt Program into local area elementary schools. Communications Officer for the Upper Grand District School Board, Maggie, McFadzen is very pleased with the Red Cross Anti-Bullying Initiative commenting, “ Bullying is no longer just about physical fights in the playground or halls. By raising awareness that bullying can take many forms, and that it's about equity and inclusion, goes a long way to making schools safe and caring places for everyone.”
On November 24th and 25th, student representatives from Hylands Elementary, Centennial Highlands Elementary, and Glenbrook Elementary, gathered with fellow students at Primrose Elementary School, approximately 50 students in all, to take part in the Beyond the Hurt Program taught by Child and Youth Care Workers, Tara McCabe and Neil Kingdon.
“Students here today are learning how to facilitate peer anti-bullying presentations which they will create upon returning back to their schools. They will give their presentations to all classes in their school. The message is received much better coming from students delivered to students,” commented McCabe.
Each student created pledges they will try to carry out in future. “ The students came up with great pledges,” commented Kingdon, providing examples, “Ask people how they are and is there a problem; I will give someone a compliment; I will include people who are lonely; I will make people feel better; If someone has nobody to play with, I will play with them.”
In order to understand the impact the program has, one must only witness the children interact responsibly and respectfully with their peers and the younger students especially, setting a respectful, kind, and compassionate example to follow, and with that creates a safe and comfortable learning environment.
Without realizing it, these young mentors will be providing examples of leadership in their school community and it's plain to see what happens when students follow that train of thought as one such student from Primrose demonstrated in her comments. Grade seven student, Ashley Sharkey had a lot to say about her understanding of bullying and the message was loud, clear and completely positive when asked what she has learned from the Beyond The Hurt Program, “ I've learned even showing the slightest bit of kindness can make a huge difference with stopping Bullying in school,” explained Sharkey. Perhaps most amazing and wonderful to witness, when asked how showing kindness works, Sharkey replied, “There is power in numbers. One person stands up, then one more will stand up and more will stand up against bullying, and when that happens, the bully looses confidence.” Suddenly, the ability to empathize and react with kindness is a well learned coping tool Sharkey will bring to her peers during her presentations. Perhaps these youngsters will be the generation of change by example and what a great concept these bright minds and kind hearts will approach each day knowing they have the power to impact the world in such a positive way. A much more comprehensive understanding of the Beyond The Hurt Program is available at www.redcross.ca. Contact any one of the four schools for more information on the Beyond The Hurt Program or if you have questions regarding bullying.

By Alex Sher

Grade 7, Primrose Elementary Student Rossalyn Kennedy attended Beyond The Hurt, a Red Cross Anti-Bullying Program. Student representatives from area elementary schools learned how to create anti-bullying presentations which they will deliver to all classes in their schools. Kennedy is featured with her personal pledge to carry out in the future.

Glenbrook Elementary Students participated in Bully Prevention Week promoting school spirit and kindness towards others.

Centennial Hylands Elementary students participated in Bully Prevention Week by creating signs for all the school to see.

Post date: 2014-11-26 17:36:42
Post date GMT: 2014-11-26 22:36:42
Post modified date: 2014-12-03 13:14:26
Post modified date GMT: 2014-12-03 18:14:26