‘We will not bully others’

MONROE — To be given an opportunity to use a purple Sharpie permanent marker to write on a wall - and not get into trouble - was an unexpected and fun experience for North Main Elementary students earlier this week.

The occasion to write their names in indelible ink was designed to remind students of the importance of the first rule of the district’s Olweus bullying protection program: We will not bully others.

Teachers escorted their students to the “anti-bully” wall, near the front entrance and designed by art teacher Lena Hauser, which featured 18-inch tall bubble letters. The kids took their turns signing their names inside one of those letters. Their signatures represented their pledges to not bully others.

Within several hours, the entire school community had signed the wall. Officials said seeing the purple signatures will be a daily visible reminder to students about the importance of staying true to what they agreed to do.

Third-graders Kendall Tullino and Luke Lauterbach liked the idea of signing their names onto the wall.

“I saw a girl being bullied,” said Kendall. “The girl was told her clothes were ugly and her hair was messy. She walked away. Bullying is bad because it hurts people’s feelings. I know if somebody is bullied you have to try to help them.”

Luke understood the importance of the rule.

“My father was bullied,” said Luke, after signing his name. “They pulled patches off his pants. That’s what he told me. He didn’t like it.”

The third-grade boy also wanted others to know that appropriate behavior is important.

“People have to think a little bit harder before they open their mouths,” Luke added with great seriousness. “Don’t bully or there can be bad consequences.”



Editor’s note: The Monroe-Woodbury School District launched its parental/community awareness component to its Olweus anti-bullying program this past Wednesday night. Watch for a story about that meeting in next week’s Photo News.