Fifth-graders at Community Park School in Princeton get hands-on help
By: Jessica Demetriou
Being bullied on the playground at recess has never been a fond memory for many people looking back at their childhood.
Bullying is an issue that most children face at one time or another. But young people are rarely given the necessary tools to know how to deal with it.
Fifth-graders at Community Park School in Princeton were given a two-day presentation called "No More Bullies, No More Victims," on Tuesday and Wednesday at the request of parents trying to prevent any type of bullying in their children’s futures.
Principal Sharon Goldman said that although bullying is not a serous problem at Community Park, the staff is always aware of the potential problem.
"Bullying here is low key, but still very real," Ms. Goldman said.
The presenters of the program were Diane Mozzo, Eileen Roberts, and Sharon Kane, who are part of the nonprofit organization PEI Kids. The organization offers three different types of programs for prevention, intervention, and client support services.
The students began the program on Tuesday, when they were given a survey to prompt their thinking about what bullying is and how it makes them feel. Ms. Roberts began the presentation with a short story on what happens when kids allow bullying to alter their lives and assured them that no one deserves to feel bad about who they are.
"Everyone has the right to come to school and learn in a safe place," Ms. Roberts said.
The presenters showed that on a national level, 6 percent of children are bullied, 9 percent are bullies, and 85 percent are witnesses. The students made charts to show the different types of bullying and the feelings involved in those who become victims.
"It’s been shown that there are at least three or four people in every class that have these types of bad feelings," Ms. Roberts said.
When the students were asked why they thought certain people decide to bully others, they answered that "some people just want to be cool," and "people bully because others have bullied them."
Ms. Mozzo said that results of the surveys taken showed that although no physical bullying seems to occur at Community Park, teasing and being left out are the most common types of bullying.
"Nobody wants to come to school to feel bad or anxious," Ms. Mozzo said. "You can try many different things to get bullies to stop."
To conclude the first day’s events, students were given paperwork to fill out on "Am I Bullying Someone," and "Things People Do About Bullying."
The second day of the program focused on ways to de-escalate the problems between bullies and victims and how to be assertive in a positive manner. The students acted out skits with the presenters to show the right way of standing up for themselves. Ms. Kane tried to show the students how to appear confident in tough situations.
"Don’t show fear even if you’re afraid," Ms. Kane said. "You have the power to do something to make it better."
Ms. Kane discussed how bullying in history has led to some serious problems in the world, such as slavery and the Holocaust.She then shared a quote with them that applies to those who stand by and watch bad things happen to other people. "The greatest evil is when good men do nothing," Ms. Kane said, paraphrasing 18th century British political writer and statesman Edmund Burke.
After the program’s conclusion, students were allowed to talk separately with the presenters about any problems they may have had and potentially need help with. Depending on the severity of the problems, the presenters would either offer helpful tips to the student or consult with the school about the situation.
The school has also assembled a steering committee, which according to Ms. Mozzo, consists of the principal, guidance counselor, teachers, parents, and even some students. She said the committee will review the results of the survey and plan to engage students in this issue long#-#term to make sure it does not become a problem.
"The best thing to keep this issue under control is to have everyone involved," Ms. Mozzo said.
Fifth-grade teacher Ellen Klimczuk said that she was really appreciative that the students were able to talk about their problems openly.
"I heard really positive comments from all the kids," Ms. Klimczuk said. "They really enjoyed taking surveys and role playing."
One student said that she liked that they were taught not to be aggressive in fending off bullies. "I think this program means a lot to some kids because they might get pushed around," she said.
Another fifth-grader said that the program was really fun and the people were very helpful. "I know how to stand up for myself now and I know I have friends that will be there for me too."

