Thompson Falls students spread anti-bullying message
<p><strong>Thompson Falls fourth graders present an oath with their fellow students to uphold the five pillars of the school during an Oweus assembly last week. The class also read a poem they had written about not being a bully.</strong></p>
THOMPSON FALLS – Students at Thompson Falls Elementary promoted treating each other nicely and not being a bully, Wednesday, during one of their four Olweus assemblies.
During the assembly, students from the second and fourth grades gave presentations to promote an anti-bullying message. The Olweus Committee, comprised of members of the school’s staff and members of the community, also showed a small skit they made.
The second graders showed off pictures they had drawn and explained who their heroes were. The fourth graders then read a poem they had written about incorporating the five pillars of the school – integrity, excellence, compassion, unity and respect – into their lives. When the Olweus Committee came up, they showed a video they made about bullying and how it only takes one person standing up and saying no to stop it.
The kids were all very engaged, seeming to enjoy each presentation; they especially enjoyed the Olweus Committee’s video, watching their teachers and leaders acting silly on the screen.
Olweus assemblies are held throughout the year and are designed to help reinforce the message to not be a bully and to report bullying when it happens. There is an assembly each quarter of the term with this being the second one of the school year. Rob Christensen, counselor for grades K-8, recalled the first assembly had a guest speaker come to talk to the kids.
“We try to get together once a quarter, just to reaffirm those goals, those values with the students,” said Christensen. “Any little thing that can reiterate our message and our goals about anti-bullying helps.”
The remaining assemblies are split up by grade levels for who presents. The next one will have the first, third and fifth graders doing something and the final one will be kindergarteners. These will likely take place sometime in March and at the end of the school year.
Christensen said the kids all seemed very into the projects, getting to work on the presentations with excitement; then performing the presentation with an equal amount of energy and excitement.