Post by Dean Robinson on Mar 28, 2008 8:40:44 GMT -5
Students keeping busy to keep out of trouble
Posted By Craig Sebert
Posted 1 day ago
www.bancroftthisweek.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=958505&auth=Craig+Sebert
Judy Hatton says keeping kids out of trouble requires keeping them busy.
For the past nine years, Hatton, an anti-violence worker for Maggie's Women's Resource Centre in Bancroft has gone out to schools all over Bancroft, North Hastings and area addressing bullying, conflict resolution, character building and the cycle of violence that occurs within some families. She calls the program It Shouldn't Hurt to be a Child, funded by the United Way of Quinte.
"The Board of Education has required schools to do things around teaching honesty, responsibility and respect," she said.
The program also features peer mediation, which teaches older students how to resolve conflicts between younger students.
"They don't solve the problem, but they act as a mediator and help the students solve the problem themselves."
Hatton says the students enjoy peer mediation most of all.
"It is a very interesting exercise. Kids naturally like to act like authority, and they like helping other kids."
Last September, Hatton and Debbie Speck, principal of the North Hastings Senior Elementary School conceived of a new program at the school. After a slow start, Hatton says the program has kicked into high gear.
The program consists of fun and educational activities going on at lunch hour every day. The school asked students what they wanted to do during their lunch break. Now hockey, volleyball, music jam sessions, knitting, photography, creative writing, woodworking, gymnastics, cooking, improv and drama are common activities.
"If you are having fun and learning something, you are not likely out on the yard getting into trouble."
Coming out to the events are what Hatton calls positive role models. In the past, the OPP, members of the Metis Nation of Ontario, the Children's Aid Society, Children's Mental Health, students from the North Hastings High School, the Bancroft Family Health team and many more have paid a visit.
"The community response has been overwhelming," she said.
"We have a lot of talent coming out to help us."
And the results have proved positive as well.
"We had a 75 per cent decrease of incidents in the yard," said principal Debbie Speck.
"It was such a drop. This program has done wonders for us. It has been great for the students to have."
In the coming days, Hatton says she wants to continue expanding the program, and would like to see more people from the community come out and contribute.
"We want to see more indoor activities for kids who want to stay inside," she said.
"We are trying new things all the time."
Some ideas kicking around include homework clubs, board game tournaments, chess, folk art painting, quilting, gadget making and a baby sitters course.
For more information, call Hatton at 613-332-3010.
every once in a while I see people that have some inteligents this is one of them.. I hope to see more schools adopt this Idea
Posted By Craig Sebert
Posted 1 day ago
www.bancroftthisweek.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=958505&auth=Craig+Sebert
Judy Hatton says keeping kids out of trouble requires keeping them busy.
For the past nine years, Hatton, an anti-violence worker for Maggie's Women's Resource Centre in Bancroft has gone out to schools all over Bancroft, North Hastings and area addressing bullying, conflict resolution, character building and the cycle of violence that occurs within some families. She calls the program It Shouldn't Hurt to be a Child, funded by the United Way of Quinte.
"The Board of Education has required schools to do things around teaching honesty, responsibility and respect," she said.
The program also features peer mediation, which teaches older students how to resolve conflicts between younger students.
"They don't solve the problem, but they act as a mediator and help the students solve the problem themselves."
Hatton says the students enjoy peer mediation most of all.
"It is a very interesting exercise. Kids naturally like to act like authority, and they like helping other kids."
Last September, Hatton and Debbie Speck, principal of the North Hastings Senior Elementary School conceived of a new program at the school. After a slow start, Hatton says the program has kicked into high gear.
The program consists of fun and educational activities going on at lunch hour every day. The school asked students what they wanted to do during their lunch break. Now hockey, volleyball, music jam sessions, knitting, photography, creative writing, woodworking, gymnastics, cooking, improv and drama are common activities.
"If you are having fun and learning something, you are not likely out on the yard getting into trouble."
Coming out to the events are what Hatton calls positive role models. In the past, the OPP, members of the Metis Nation of Ontario, the Children's Aid Society, Children's Mental Health, students from the North Hastings High School, the Bancroft Family Health team and many more have paid a visit.
"The community response has been overwhelming," she said.
"We have a lot of talent coming out to help us."
And the results have proved positive as well.
"We had a 75 per cent decrease of incidents in the yard," said principal Debbie Speck.
"It was such a drop. This program has done wonders for us. It has been great for the students to have."
In the coming days, Hatton says she wants to continue expanding the program, and would like to see more people from the community come out and contribute.
"We want to see more indoor activities for kids who want to stay inside," she said.
"We are trying new things all the time."
Some ideas kicking around include homework clubs, board game tournaments, chess, folk art painting, quilting, gadget making and a baby sitters course.
For more information, call Hatton at 613-332-3010.
every once in a while I see people that have some inteligents this is one of them.. I hope to see more schools adopt this Idea