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March 28, 2000
Fourth-graders learn how to stop bullyingBy GUY PRIEL Journal Staff Writer NEW ULM -- Preventing violence and bullying while teaching proper behaviors for children was the goal of a group of law enforcement officials who conducted a program at Washington Elementary School Monday. "We can all be butches, and we can all be tough," Sleepy Eye City Attorney Errol Hauser said. "Sometimes, though, we need to take a step forward and make a difference." A series of skits involving everyday situations demonstrated to fourth-graders the harm of bullying and presented the children with appropriate, alternative behaviors. "As bullies get older, they get more violent, and we eventually see them in the court system," Hauser said. "We need to be able to feel safe in our schools and in our community." The skits helped students recognize bullying tactics. They revolved around a ride on a school bus, walking down the hallway and playing ball on the playground. "When someone gets picked on, it makes them feel small and alone; and many feel that if they don't get involved in picking on someone, they'll be picked on as well," Hauser said. If students remember how its feels to be picked on by older students, said Judge Terri Stoneburner, they won't engage in the same type of behavior. "You don't want to jump into a situation where it can cause a fight," Hauser said. "You need to be one group working together toward a solution and try to bring the bully back into the main group." If everyone is treated the same way, problems can be eliminated early, Christ the King Lutheran Church Youth Minister Mike Brigger said. "Friendships mean a lot more than being cool," Attorney Pam Neumann told the children. When students see someone being picked on and just walk away, they are condoning that behavior. It would actually be easier to take a stand for what's right when there are more people around, said Washington School Counselor Joan Wisniewski. "You have a responsibility to tell somewhat what happened in a bad situation," Stoneburner said. "That is our responsibility as a citizen. The same thing is true at school too. If you see something happen, tell someone. That is being a witness, not a tattletale." Bullying involves not only name calling and pushing but also stealing something or not letting others join in activities. The outgrowth of bullying is how the victim feels about the situation, Hauser said. "Sometimes we give bad advice to students," Stoneburner said. "Telling children to stand up for yourself and get revenge is not the answer. You need to stop the violence, not escalate it." When asked to define what it means to be cool, one student said that being cool is treating people nice and being helpful to people in bad situations. "We are not perfect, and we all make mistakes," Stoneburner said. "We have to suffer the consequences for what we do, but that is part of taking responsibility. It's all about acting together." The students were told that when they see someone being bullied they should step up and take a stand on behalf of the victim, because being cool is letting others be themselves. "If you're the best you can be, it will rub off on people," Brigger said. "We are called to do our best. You are at a good age because you can teach younger students and can protect younger students."
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