| By Mary Simmons
TIMES-ADVOCATE STAFF
USBORNE - Students at Usborne Central Public School participated
in a "live radio broadcast' about bullying Sept.
22.
DJ Benny DL., also know as Bruce
Langford, was at the school to present his musical program,
'Stand Up Against Bullying.'
Langford
presented the program in three assemblies geared towards
children of various ages.
The
primary and junior students were the live studio audience
in varied programs which took on the form of a live ATFM
(A Time For Music) radio broadcast. Interspersed with
songs about bullying were callers with questions on the
topic and opportunities for students to win prizes.
In
the primary program, geared for students in Grade 3 and
younger, Langford sings such songs as 'I Know A Bully,'
'Just Ignore,' 'Please Leave Me Alone,' 'The Wall,' 'Be
A Winner' and 'Stand Up.'
The
Junior program has the same format, but has some different
songs and is geared towards students in Grades 4-6.
Intermediate
students in Grades 7-8 took part in a discussion on the
subject, including videos and role play.
Langford
told students some bullying should be ignored.
"A
lot of people are doing this stuff because they want attention,"
he said.
But
he said it is also important to know when to stand up
for yourself and others being picked on. He
said |
sometimes
bystanders don't stand up to bullies because they are
scared, think it's funny or just don't know what to do.
"We
all want to be kind to each other but sometimes we forget,"
he told the students.
"It only takes
one person to make a difference and that one person can
be you."
He also told the students
there is a difference between telling and tattling.
"Telling is letting
someone know something that has to be told," he said.
"Tattling is trying to get someone in trouble."
Langford, a music teacher
for the past 15 years, decided to take a leave from teaching
to develop the program and present it at schools in southwestern
Ontario. He took a half leave last year and then decided
to fully commit himself to the program this year.
"I
know there is a need out there," Langford said when
asked why he decided to put together a program about bullying.
"As a teacher, I am used to dealing with it."
He
said it is important for schools to continue to present
the topic in different ways.
"This
is one more way to connect with the students," he
added.
After
the sessions, teachers are left with a package of worksheets
and a CD to follow up with students.
Langford
said he has received positive feedback from students and
teachers, some of which is posted on his Web site, www.atfm.ca. |