Gramon Students Realize They Have the Power To Protect One Another from Bullies

June 3, 2011 - PRLog -- This year, when New Jersey adopted the nation's toughest anti-bullying law for public schools, the students of Gramon School in Fairfield took it a step further by creating their own program to eliminate bullying in the classroom.

In January, Gov. Chris Christie signed the “Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights,” which gives the state the toughest anti-bullying law in the nation.  That law galvanized the students, and they realized that they had the power to make a difference in their own school.

“The students wanted everyone to know how they felt about bullies,” said Kalle Gerritz, Executive Director of the Gramon Family of Schools.  “They worked with the art teacher, Patricia Bendsen, to create a mural inscribed with a bullying prevention oath.”

Students from every class at the Gramon School lined up to sign the mural, giving their own pledge to protect other students from bullies. The mural now hangs in the hallway of the school.

Gramon encourages creative and inventive decision-making skills, Gerritz said. “That mural – inscribed with the oath and student signatures – is a visible reminder that bullying and bullies will not be tolerated at Gramon.”

By creating and managing the anti-bullying mural, Gramon students are aligned with one another through the shared oath that builds compassion for other students, Gerritz said. When students protect each other and their relationships, their school experience and the educational process are immeasurably enriched.

“The students are proud of their commitment to protect one another,” Gerritz said. “Human nature is hard to change, but we can change how people respond to unacceptable behavior.”


Bully Prevention Oath
I will not bully others.
I will not stand by while others are bullied.
I will report bullying whenever I see it, because
I have the POWER TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

The Gramon Family of Schools originated with one school in 1939, serving adolescents and young adults with special needs. Glenview Academy opened in 1984 with the recognition that intervention is more effective when a child’s developmental problems are addressed as early as possible. With rising incidences of children diagnosed on the autism spectrum, the Gramon Family of Schools opened New Beginnings and New Beginnings Annex to provide programs to address these critical needs. For more information about the Gramon Family of Schools, visit www.gramonschools.org or call 973-808-9555.

# # #

Performance Marketing provides support for all marketing and management functions including strategic planning, budgeting, advertising, Internet marketing, collateral, data analysis, reporting, direct marketing, distribution management and much more.