Dows Lane Elementary School kindergarten- through third-graders students were treated to a lively and interactive assembly presentation, Box Out Bullying, on December 7. Box Out Bullying, founded by Jeremy Rubenstein in 2008, tours schools and communities across the country and uses the power of live theater to help sustain a positive school environment.
Donning their favorite hats to symbolize putting a lid on bullying, the students were empowered with clear and consistent messages about bullying and learned how they could “box it out” of their community. They defined the difference between conflict and bullying and explored ways to resolve potential problems and create empathy.
Dows Lane Elementary School Principal Deborah Mariniello said, “The assembly reinforced the need for empathy and including others.”
For a kindness challenge, under the guidance of school counselor Alissa Kane, students created kindness posters, made a paper chain to celebrate good deeds, took pledges against bullying, and put together a signature display to reinforce their decision to “box out bullying.”
“We are so proud of all the acts of kindness that are spreading throughout our building,” Mariniello said. “As part of our character-building theme of managing impulsivity, all students are being coached to ‘stop, think and choose kindness!’”
The presentation was sponsored by the PTSA.
