FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – October is bullying prevention month for Fresno Unified schools, and at Addams Elementary students, staff and faculty are using dance to stand up against bullying.
Last week hundreds of students gathered outside at Addams Elementary school to send one message, “be a buddy, not a bully.”
It’s a slogan that staff and faculty came up with to encourage a sense of community and establish relationships.
For the first time this school year, all grade levels came together to support one another and show off their dance skills.
“This gives us the opportunity to come together as a school, as a community, and just learn about bullying prevention, why it’s important, trying to make sure that other kids aren’t getting bullied and ones that are, knowing the resources that kids can go to, they know there’s an adult that kids can go to on campus to be safe,” said Rigoberto Enciso, who is a special education teacher.
To engage students in a more unique way, staff came up with a flash mob dance routine, with leadership students leading the dance on stage.
The event was full of music, smiles, and dancing. They took a moment to share the four rules: I will not bully others, I will help those who are bullied, I will include others, and if I know someone is being bullied, I will tell one adult at home and one adult at school.
It’s a strong message that students are passing along.
“Don’t bully, it can lead to consequences and maybe make someone sad,” said Jose Reyes, who is in sixth grade.
And if you see someone being left out, Kaydin Johnson, who is also in sixth grade knows what to do.
”You can ask them like if they’re lonely, you can ask them to like, play with them or just hang out with them,” said Johnson. “Be a buddy, not a bully, basically meaning be friends and be respectful.”
Seeing everyone in a “Be a buddy, not a bully” t-shirt was emotional with staff even joining in on the dance.
“So that was the idea of dressing everybody in the same shirt today is just to develop that sense of belonging and letting the kids know that we are a family,” said Natanska Valtierra, who is the principal at Addams Elementary. “We all belong to the Addams family and we need to take care of each other.”
Staff wants parents to know they talk to students every day about being a bully-free zone, and have resources available including a school psychologist, community advisors, or social and emotional faculty members.
