| By JOHN TAPLEY
Staff writer
You won't actually find
ATFM Radio on the airwaves but the anti-bullying message
it broadcasts to students is real enough.
On Tuesday last week, students
at Harris Heights Public School gathered in the gym to
tune in to the interactive educational program presented
in the format of a "live" radio show hosted
by Benny DL - the singing DJ.
The 45-minute, one person
show, created and performed by Bruce Langford, features
songs, videos, prerecorded callers and role playing about
what bullying is and how to deal with it.
Langford, 44, a music teacher
at New Sarum Public School near Aylmer, said he developed
the program last summer out of his 18 years of experience
in the classroom and for his two-year-old son, Benjamin
David Langford - the namesake for the character, Benny
DL.
"I've seen a lot of
bullying and situations like that," he said, noting
that his school isn't any worse than others for that kind
of behaviour. "It made me want to do something about
it."
After spending the summer
writing the program, Langford, who lives near Mossley,
sent out letters to schools about ATFM Radio. Since September,
Langford and his sister-in-law, Jennifer Langford, who
helps behind the scenes, have presented the program at
more than 60 schools, mainly within the Thames Valley
and Avon Maitland School Boards.
"I've found that we've
been really well received," said Langford who has
gone to teaching part-time so he can continue to take
the program on the road.
This spring, ATFM Radio
will head to Ottawa where Langford, whose visit to Harris
Heights was sponsored by the
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school's
parent group and student council, will perform 10 shows
over a four-day period.
The program, which Langford
modifies according to the age of his audience, teaches
children to first try ignoring a bully, then ask them
to stop what they're doing and to speak out by telling
a teacher, parent or another adult. Having confidence
and standing up for others is also part of the message.
Handing out prizes for
audience participation, Langford also leaves a CD of his
songs and follow up material for teachers at each school.
He says the radio show
format of the program seems to grab students' interest.
"It works," said Langford. "The kids really
think it's a cool approach."
He said many students believe
he is really broadcasting from their school and come up
to him after the show asking for the station's telephone
number.
While ATFM Radio is the
first program Langford has written, he doesn't plan on
it being his last.
Enjoying the creative aspects
of the work, especially writing songs, as
well as hearing how it impacts his audience, he said he
is considering building a program around Canadian culture
and identity.
"I think that's something
we always need to be working on and teaching," he
said.
He is also considering
devoting his attention to educational programs full-time.
"I really enjoy doing
it and I feel like I'm connecting with students so I'm
really excited about doing more of it," he said.
ATFM Radio received top
marks from Harris Heights principal Mark Seaton.
"The whole presentation
was great," he said. "His energy and his ability
to use music and videos and at the same time have a message
of self respect and respect for others is extremely effective." |
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