One of our major initiatives this year is implementing the Olweus
Bullying Prevention Program. Although
bullying is rare at Reed, we adopted this program to be proactive and prevent
any future bullying from occurring. Class
meetings are the foundation of the program.
Teachers and students engage in weekly class meetings that focus on
defining, preventing, and addressing bullying behaviors.
On January 30th
we kicked off the program. Instead of having an overly active kick off where the students focused on the festivities instead of the program, we had a short, simple, and mysterious kick off that captured the students' attention and left them wanting to learn more.
As the students arrived they were greeted by the Reed Staff, Dr. Jahnke (Superintendent), various Ladue School District Staff Members, a Fire Fighter, Police Officer, community members, and a Reed parent. They also noticed positive messages posted on the walls. Students quickly figured out that the day was going to be unique and special.
The students were called to the gym and were surrounded the the staff and those that greeted them in the morning. Each adult read a line to a poem that focused on the adults being here for each student. Then students returned to their classrooms and engaged in their first class meetings. Although simply, the energy in the gym was very powerful.
Make sure you ask your children what they are learning about during their class meetings.
