Governor’s Anti-Bullying Summit
Today, I joined fellow colleagues, our fearless leader, Mr.
Pedersen, and about 20 students from the amazing Cardinal Community School
District for the Governor’s Anti-Bullying Summit. If you recall the Fourth Grade Bully Busters submitted a video for the Governor’s Anti-Bullying Video Contest early last
month. Today was the day we learned the
results of that contest.
The speakers at the conference were powerful, and
motivating. There were many great points
made about bullying and how we must all stand up to help prevent this type of
behavior in our schools. I loved the
quote, “Our lives begin to end the day
we become silent.” This was a quote by Martin Luther King Jr., and it is every
bit applicable today, as it was when he stood up, for the oppression
individuals faced in our country not so long ago.
Nobody wants to be labeled a bully, but we all have the
power to be one or to stand against one. It does not matter who you are or
where you come from it is something we must all realize is subjective
experience. Just as we are all different
people, we also handle bullying in a different way. There may be some who see
the same incident as bullying and others who will see it as irrelevant.
Therefore, we must teach our kids to not only be themselves, but they must also
allow others to be who they are. Tolerance is a giant step in the right
direction.
We heard moving speeches from victims of bullying, a parent
of a child who was killed through violence, and an amazing singer/songwriter
from Boston. The singer started performing during her 7th grade
year, and performs all over the country.
She is now a high school student, and delivers her message using the
voice God gave her. The stories and panels were very good about answering
questions and making us all feel like a part of “the story.” 
Admittedly, my most exciting moment of the day was seeing
our 4th grade video being played on the big screen for all the
schools and attendees. We were in the top ten finalists. I cannot put into
words the swell of love, respect and pride I had for my kids in that moment.
They worked so incredibly hard on this video project, and are still carrying
the bully buster message on daily. We
were not one of the top three winners, but we definitely won so much more than
the title today.
In fact, I was approached by a few of our high school attendees because they would like to develop a program infusing the older kids into the elementary as leaders. They want to reach out and help create a positive environment for our younger students. The high school leaders would like to give the elementary students problem-solving skills so they can better cope in a bully type situation. So, in my book we won today. We were victorious because we brought back more than a certificate of accomplishment. We are coming back empowered, driven and motivated to be the change.
In fact, I was approached by a few of our high school attendees because they would like to develop a program infusing the older kids into the elementary as leaders. They want to reach out and help create a positive environment for our younger students. The high school leaders would like to give the elementary students problem-solving skills so they can better cope in a bully type situation. So, in my book we won today. We were victorious because we brought back more than a certificate of accomplishment. We are coming back empowered, driven and motivated to be the change.
I am so blessed to be part of such an energized, positive
and wonderful community! WAY TO GO CARDINAL BULLY BUSTERS!!!!!!!!!!!
