The Stick Together Program within Mentor Schools explores constructive ways to stop bullying
By Mimi Vanderhaven
Darlings, there are few things Mimi abhors more than bullying. Research tells us that kids who are bullied experience negative physical, social, emotional, academic and mental health issues. And the effects can be lasting, often persisting into adulthood.
That’s why the Stick Together Program within Mentor Schools is such a novel and impactful effort.
During the school year, high school students go to each of the seven elementary schools and reach every fifth-grader, about 550 students districtwide.
“The important message of bullying awareness and prevention is perfectly timed for fifth graders, who are preparing to enter middle school, where bullying can be more prevalent,” says Kristen Kirby, director of community relations for the school district.
The presentation, which has been going on for almost ten years, is entirely student-led with speakers, student-created skits and audience participation. In addition to identifying bullying, the program stresses kindness and how creating a chain reaction of kindness can counteract bullying.
It explores constructive ways to stop bullying and discusses why people bully so students can gain a different perspective.
“The students really look up to our high school students so it’s very important for them to hear from their peers that it’s cool to be kind and its cool to do the right thing and that even these parents that they look up to by nature are also working hard to spread the message to do the right thing in difficult situations,” says Jodi Poremba, principal at Ridge Elementary School.
At the end of the program, students sign pieces of duct tape and take a pledge to stick together. They place their pieces of duct tape upon a banner that’s prominently displayed in the schools to spread the message forward.
A “chain reaction of kindness”? Mimi will have a double dose of that!
The Mentor School system educates 7,400 students from pre-K to 12th grade in seven elementary schools, three middle schools, one high school and one school for students with autism. For more information, visit MentorSchools.net.