Bullying prevention a work of art
By Caitlin Davis
Jan 27, 2012, 13:38
photo by Caitlin Davis
Carter G. Woodson Middle school students are using art to take a stand against bullying during January, which is recognized as anti-bullying month.
Linda Burns, art teacher for Woodson, said the students are being asked to draw a poster representing anti-bullying. She said the students have been very receptive towards the project.
“They were literally on the edge of their seat when I told them about the project,” Burns said.
As students began working on the project this past Wednesday morning, there were excited voices and pencils started flying on the paper.
Many students used anti-bullying slogans that Burns handed out at the beginning of class. Faith Rowand said she was going to use “Bullying is whack; get on the right track.”
Niko Megariotis was going to use “Karma, what goes around comes around."
Megariotis added, “Usually it comes around and bites you in the butt."
Aaron Belcher said he was drawing a stop sign with the slogan “Bullying stops here. Be a friend.”
The project also involves a contest for students. The student has to have an original idea, the image must be school appropriate, and it has to provide a solution against bullying.
“The poster is a quick way to grab someone’s attention. It is not a novel, no paragraphs. It is direct and to the point,” Burns said.
Burns said this project has made students aware of bullying in the school and has stirred up many conversations.
“This project helps with bullying. I was happy because it supports the talking. Topics like this are hard,” Burns said.
Burns is also working with students from Jane Bujakowski, gifted enrichment teacher for Woodson, class. Bujakowski shares Burns sentiment that bullying is an ongoing issue for students. She said many students in her class are bullied.
“They get teased for being the smart ones and nerdy. Many [will] hide the fact that they’re smart, and feel there’s a reason to be embarrassed,” Bujakowski said.
Both Bujakowski and Burns said this project is also
teaching students there are many forms of bullying. Students are learning it is not just physical and not just between the guys.
“It’s stereotypical that bullying is just a guy thing. With girls, it is there, just not as physical,” Burns said.
Bujakowski said some of her students thought bullying was just between brothers and sisters. She also explained that bullying has been around since she was a kid.
“I used to be bullied for being tall. Students used to say ‘Jane, Jane tall as a crane’ and it hurt my feelings,” Bujakowski said.
She is also teaching her students ways to deal with bullying besides expressing themselves through art. She had her students write a journal entry on a time they were bullied and she said what they wrote broke her heart.
“Bullying is something we need to address. This is a life lesson,” Bujakowski said.
Bobbi Peck, guidance chairperson for Woodson, wants to students to know if they are having a problem with bullying, she is there to help.
“Once we’re aware, we deal with it. We address it right away,” Peck said.
She also said Woodson has zero tolerance against bullying.
“We want kids to know when we say "stop," we mean stop,” Peck said.
Peck said she has noticed an increase in cyberbullying over her years in guidance. She just shook her head and said she is not a fan of Facebook.
“Things start on Facebook and then come to school and we have to deal with it,” Peck said.
She said if it continues to be a problem she will call the parents and tell them that their child is too young to have a Facebook account. She said most parents will delete the account.
Burns also has noticed many students talking about cyberbullying while working on the project.
“Students are saying ‘delete the drama.' It’s easy to hide behind a computer screen. This type of bullying is becoming more and more prevalent,” Burns said.
This project is also helping students work together and learn more about one another.
“It will help the kids on a personal level. They tend to not want to hurt people they know,” Burns said.
The deadline for the project is Thursday, Feb. 9. As students complete their posters they will be displayed in the hallways. The contest is open to all students at Woodson. There will be a winner for each grade level and then a grand prize winner for the school. Burns said the prize is still undetermined, but many students said they want McDonald’s gift cards and giant candy bars.
