TF students show off talents in anti-bullying presentations

Students at Thompson Falls Elementary and Junior High School gathered for the second Olweus assembly, highlighting ways to prevent bullying.

Four assemblies are planned throughout the school year, one for each quarter of the academic year. This program, developed by Dr. Dan Olweus, a professor of psychology from Norway, has been based on the greatest amount of research on bullying, and happens to be the foremost bullying prevention program in the world.

The assembly started with an Empathy Slideshow presented by the fifth-grade class. The slideshow outlined 18 characteristics that people who display empathy would have, and how they can positively impact those around them. Each slide was accompanied by a voice over by one or two fifth grade students which added creativity and engaged the audience.

The sixth-grade class had the opportunity to show off their talents as they presented a Charlie Brown play about problem solving and a short skit about how words can hurt. They performed the Charlie Brown play three times to demonstrate different ways a situation could be handled. The skit demonstrated the effect of hurtful words versus kind and encouraging words. The main issue being raised in both performances was that the words you choose can affect people whether you are aware of it or not.

The last presentation was a slideshow from the third-grade class. They acted out different scenarios in a classroom where you might experience bullying. When each scene was finished it was played out once or twice more to demonstrate alternative solutions. The presentation showed how students can support each other if they witness another student being bullied.

Chris Tensen ran the assembly and explained that each of the grades will take turns getting to perform at each of the four assemblies throughout the year. The assembly provides a fun way for the students to get involved and perform while also learning how they can be aware and support each other to provide a safe and fun learning environment for all students.