Students work against bullying
By SUZANNE C. RUSSELL, Home News Tribune from the Web, November 13, 2004
PERTH AMBOY, NJ -- Ivan Puente, a junior at Perth Amboy High School, says students need to feel safe to learn -- safe from bullies.
"Bullying is the result of fear of the unknown," said Puente, president of the high school's Diversity Club.
"Our goal is to look for good in others."
As part of that effort, Diversity Club members presented a skit yesterday to fourth-grade pupils at the James J. Flynn Elementary School to show them the wrong and right ways to greet a new student at school to avoid bullying.
In the wrong way scenario, Puente and Jeannette Ruiz, a junior, mock the appearance of Su Chen Miao, a senior and founder of the Diversity Club, telling her she looks weird and to return to China.
But in the right way skit, Puente and Ruiz introduce themselves to Miao, ask where she is from to learn more about her and offer to help her whenever she needs it.
"Don't be mean to people just because of their skin color or differences," Christine Martinez, a senior Diversity Club member told the Flynn pupils.
"You could miss out on making a really good friend."
The Diversity Club's skit, along with skits by students at the William C. McGinnis Middle School, Samuel E. Shull Middle School and the Flynn School were presented to demonstrate to state Sen. Barbara Buono, D-Middlesex, the progress the district has made since her anti-bullying legislation requiring districts to adopt policies addressing the topic was approved.
"Wow, I'm blown away," Buono said after seeing the students work which included the ABC's of Bullying presented by Shull School students and a conflict resolution skit presented by McGinnis School conflict resolution mediators.
"When you pass a law that's the first step. The way you put it into action puts it into meaning."
Buono, a mother and stepmother of six children, said she knows first-hand how bullying goes on in schools.
She wrote the law for her children and all the other children who have the right to go to school every day without fear of being bullied.
She said contrary to the song about "sticks and stones," words can cause scars that last a lifetime.
"Bullying, harassment, and intimidation in school yards and buses will not be tolerated," she said.
"School should be a safe haven."
Although the district approved a harassment and bullying policy last year, a program has been in place in the district for at least nine years.
"Bullying happens when someone uses his or her power repeatedly to hurt someone," said Linda Cruz, director of guidance.
"We don't think picking on other kids is cool," Superintendent of Schools John M. Rodecker told the students.
"We want quality learning for our students. Without behavior under control, learning can't take place," said Cruz, adding that a bully at age 8 is six times more likely to become involved in criminal behavior later in life.
That's why the district's anti-bullying program starts in kindergarten. She also pushed for guidance counselors in the district's elementary schools.
"This is where it starts," said Cruz.
Phyllis Logan, district supervisor of the child-study team, said anti-bullying and conflict resolution is stressed all year long in the schools and everyone is involved, students and adults, even those not part of the teaching staff.
Click
here to see the September 6, 2002, Event Photo of Senator Barbara Buono with
Governor James McGreevey as he signs the law requiring schools to develop Anti-bully
policies.
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