ROWLEY — The Pine Grove School is taking steps to make sure its hallways, classrooms and playground are bully-free zones by having frank discussions with students about bullying and harassment. This was done last week during the school's community gathering meetings.
Principal Christine Kneeland and Assistant Principal Margot Lacey addressed groups of first- and second-graders and fourth- through sixth-graders on Thursday at the community gathering. These gatherings are the way in which the school regularly comes together to address certain issues or discuss a particular topic. Third-graders were on a field trip and will be addressed Thursday.
The theme of the meetings focuses on attitude, respect, responsibility and appropriate school conduct, and at this meeting, a primary emphasis on bullying and harassment. Students were also reminded of the school's three Rs: respect yourself, respect others and take responsibility for your actions. Parents were invited to join in the meetings.
"Bullying and harassment is something we do not tolerate here at the Pine Grove School," said Kneeland, who went on to explain to the students via a PowerPoint presentation exactly what bullying was. "Whether you are in the classroom, in the hall, on the playground or on the bus, if you think the situation isn't right, you need to enlist help from an adult," Kneeland told the students.
Students were told the difference between the physical, social, verbal and cyber aspects of bullying and what to do if they are being bullied. During a skit where Kneeland and Lacey acted out a bullying incident, the distinction between tattling and reporting in reference to bullying was described. Tattling, as was explained, is when one tells on someone to get them in trouble, while reporting was explained as telling the truth to try to help someone.
Students in the younger grades spoke up to ask about incidences to see if they were considered bullying, while the older grade-level students remained very quiet and serious, listening intently.