‘Bullying a serious issue in VI’- Guidance Counselor
Ms Leonard is the Guidance Counselor for the Alexandrina Maduro, Francis Lettsome and Willard Wheatley Primary Schools in the East End Community of Tortola. In a move to grapple with the situation, Leonard took the conscious step to get the teachers and students of the three schools engaged in activities that will start a process of eradicating the problem.
“I also have students who reported to me that they were bullied on the internet which is cyber-bullying and I said ok, instead of dealing with these cases on an individual basis why not create a school wide programme. So I created this anti-bullying programme for my three schools across the border. So I came up with the Bully Free Awareness Week. It’s a week that started from March 2nd through March 6th. It entails three different parts; three initiatives,” Leonard explained.
Be a Buddy not a Bully
The first initiative was Classroom Guidance, then the Door Decorating Contest and a march which saw the students of the Willard Wheatley Primary School taking the streets and sounding the message of “Be a Buddy not a Bully”.
The march was led by ranks of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) then the drumming sounds of the BVI Cadet Corps followed. The procession took off from the Playground in the area and proceeded to the school where they were inspired through poems, songs and inspirational and interactive messages from Showtime Band Members ‘Drastic’ and Eustace ‘Boss’ Freeman.
Present to speak with the children of the Willard Wheatley School was one of the main sponsors, Delta Petroleum BVI via its Island Manager Mr Lennon G. DaBreo.
Students, who were also victims of bullying, took a stand by speaking out and standing up against the act/s via poetry and songs.
The Classroom Guidance saw the counselor going to each classroom and interacting with the students on Anti-Bullying. “I heard their stories and answered their questions and I also, at the end of the discussion we had, asked them to make a pledge to help commit to creating a safe school zone at their schools and on that pledge they made a commitment to respect themselves and others, lend a hand to others that are being bullied, report all forms of bullying as well as try to commit and stay committed to creating a safe school going at their respective schools and if they were willing, cause they were not forced, they signed the document and I kept it. Of course consequences will be given if they broke their pledges but so far I haven’t had any, but I’ve seen more persons, more students reporting they’re being bullied and so forth and I handled it on that individual basis,” said Ms Leonard.
Door Decorating Contest
In terms of the Door Decorating Contest, this was where students were responsible for designing their doors to classrooms to promote Anti-Bullying as well as how the importance of respecting students at school. The teachers were allowed to help but as little as possible.
In that event, Willard Wheatley Primary School was first. The winners were announced on Thursday March 5, 2015 and the gifts were provided by Nagico Insurances. All classes received participation certificates.
The winning classroom was Grade 3M while second was Grade 2M and third Grade 2G. Kindergarten and Grade one were judged separately from the rest of the student body with kindergarten winning in that division.
“So the March was only for Willard Wheatley Primary School and it was a culmination of the week’s activities, the bully free awareness week. So with that being said I encourage students to continue to maintain their pledge that they signed and to stop bullying and report the forms of bullying they know about and when they see to speak up and reach out and lend a hand to someone who is being bullied cause it’s a serious issue and we are trying to eliminate it across the border in the BVI,” Ms Leonard concluded.
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19 Responses to “‘Bullying a serious issue in VI’- Guidance Counselor”
Get over yourselves and shed positive information for the youths who may be reading these comments. I trust that you realize the propaganda you're spreading is a form of bulling.
Students, I urge you to inform your teachers and parents if you are in any uncomfortable situation. Bullies really do lack self confidence and see something in you that they wish they could see in themselves. Don't allow it to affect you negatively and remain fearless. Each of you are a mighty wonder!
Ultimately, just monitor your children, in real life and online. Teach them the golden rule and teach them to think before they act; if they won't say it or do it in real life, don't do it online and treat others the way they want to be treated. If you see your children doing something you know is wrong, correct it. If they're being bullied, let them know that they're worth it more than what anyone else can tell them. Let them know they have a place in this world and better things are to come for them. Teach them how to stand up to bullies and that it's okay to tell an adult what's going on so they can help. If you see your child bullying others, talk to them and stop them. Also, analyse your life; what you do around them and who you let into their lives because they more than likely learnt that kind of behaviour from home.
All these things could possibly save a future court visit or a hospital visit.