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Schools Grappling with Growing Bullying Problem
Independent's Eye by Joe Gandelman |
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The bullying epidemic continues, even as a multi-pronged crackdown by states and educators gathers steam. For nine months, I dealt first-hand with the bullying issue almost every school day. The problem most assuredly is out there, and across the nation steps are being taken to focus on it.
I virtually "lived" the bullying issue - and its tragic impact - from September 2011 through June 1 when I did a special national tour of schools of all levels in my non-writing incarnation as a comic ventriloquist, something I've done for 22 years. From Sept. 12 to June 1, I did programs at 260 schools, driving more than 45,000 miles. Schools could choose their theme -- and 95 percent of the school requested my no-teasing/no bullying show. As I criss-crossed the country in my 2004 Chevrolet Venture van, doing shows at schools with as many as 1,500 students to as few as 20 - schools nestled high in the mountains, in crowded inner cities, schools framed by snowstorms or air-conditioned due to blistering desert heat -- I talked to hundreds of students and educators. Some tidbits: States are cracking down h-a-r-d: Bullying horror stories led to tough laws where teachers, principals and districts can find themselves in legal and career hot water if they fail to act swiftly on bullying when it's spotted. Several principals were away when I arrived at their schools due to important district or regional huddles on bullying. Bullying builds grieving communities: I visited three schools in communities shattered by shocking suicides of high school or middle school students due to bullying. In one school, a principal asked me to be very careful about my message since there could be siblings or other relatives in my audience. School communities actively shunning bullies have seen some success: One counselor at an elementary school told me about a unique approach. If the kids saw bullying or were bullied they were told to tell the offending kid, "Stop! We don't want or need bullying at OUR school!" They said this community cooperation from students greatly decreased the problem. One principal tells kids: "If you stop when someone yells stop you are not a bully." Younger and meaner: Some educators expressed surprise about how mean some kids are at younger ages. Their view: it may come from watching increasingly violent media in a society that considers it entertainment to watch a movie or TV show depicting people being brutally beaten, raped or murdered in imaginative, graphic ways. Parents keeping little kids from watching violent fare are not too plentiful these days. Some parents are abusing the issue: Several principals have had big problems with parents demanding students be punished, suspended or expelled for small things that aren't bullying but they insist is. These parents call the school or demand to meet with principals and the word "bullying" has become a kind of catch-word for them. One principal told of how a parent demanded another student be punished for bullying because he had told her son that his shoes looked old and he needed new ones. Several principals asked me to talk about not being "mean" and the importance of "kindness" and NOT use the word "bullying," because some parents are twisting the word's meaning. Kids are aware: Students of all ages would come up to me after a program and tell me of their experiences. Why suicides? Since September three people asked me the same exact question. "When we were kids why was it that if someone was bullied they didn't commit suicide then?" I got the same answer from several principals and a writer: "Part of it may be today's media coverage. Most likely it did happen then, but the connection wasn't made and it wasn't reported in those days." The general consensus? There need to be swift consequences to teach bullies that bullying - whether by kids or adults - is not a smart, moral, or wise choice. And those who see it and don't speak up are part of the problem — and just as bad as the bullies. ----- Copyright 2012 Joe Gandelman, distributed exclusively by Cagle Cartoons newspaper syndicate. Want to know more? Click here to send Joe an email at gandypro@gmail.com |
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What people have said ...
"You and your "family" were a great hit with the kids AND staff. I especially want to thank you for your workshops throughout the day. Our students were so impressed, especially our Jr. High wing." --Hayfork Elementary School, Hayfork, CA "I was extremely pleased with the assemblies (K-2 and 3-6). Mr. Gandelman was entertaining for all groups including our teachers. He spoke concerning alcohol, drug and tobacco abuse. He was funny and serious. He did an excellent job educating students with a clear message appropriate for each audience. My own children thought the assembly was great, too!" --PTA, Marie Curie Elementary School, San Diego, Ca "We ve used Mr. Gandelman several times. The programs were excellent. Mr. Gandelman is a true professional with a strong affinity with his audiences. His programs are wonderful for Red Ribbon Week and can be adapted (with advance notice) to different themes. --Caesar Chavez School. Coachella, CA. (Bilingual show for lower grades) "Our students were absolutely delighted with the show. Teacher s comments were "Best assembly we ve had all year...I m ready to start bake sales, if I have to, so we can get him back next year!" --Mammoth Elementary School, San Manuel, AZ "A wonderful program! Everyone -- students and teachers alike -- thoroughly enjoyed it! Parents commented the following day that your program was the topic of conversation at the dinner table that night."" --St. Cornelius School, Long Beach, CA "Our students, especially since 95 percent of them are English-language learners, were able to enjoy your presentation as active participants. Your style is both entertaining and educational." --Chualar Elementary, Chualar, CA "The students were completely enthralled (in your assemblies) to promote drug, alcohol and tobacco abuse prevention. By humorously weaving the theme throughout your presentation, students are more likely to internalize your message." --Luther Burbank School, Santa Rosa, CA "It was obvious that Mr. Gandelman was enjoying what he was doing -- and equally as obvious that our children enjoyed his visit and assemblies." --Lindo Park School, Lakeside, CA "We would like to recommend your assembly program to other elementary schools especially for the unique way you tie anti-smoking and anti-drug material to your humorous presentation. We also appreciated the skill in which you adapted the level of your presentation to our age groups "Our teachers relaxed with the laughter and our students loved the participation. Thank you for a talented, well-crafted, educational day!" --Mission Park School, Salinas, Ca "I never HEARD such laughter! Your positive rapport with students is rare among visiting performers!" --Jack s Valley Elementary, Minden, NV "Both students and staff found his performance highly entertaining and extremely informative. Mr. Gandelman brought out a variety of (dummies and puppets) to entertain the children, each of which had its own unique personality and sense of humor. He performed three assemblies for students ranging in grade levels from kindergarten through junior high and did an excellent job adjusting each program to best suit the ages for which he was performing. It was a pleasure having him visit our school!" --Carlton Hills School, Santee, CA (elementary and middle school age) "The children never took their eyes off you! My students immediately went to the puppets in the classroom to imitate you." --McKinley Elementary, Redlands, CA "We were so delighted! I have been telling principals of all our district s schools to book one of your assemblies!" --John C. Fremont School, Merced, Ca "A dream come true! This show is definitely a TEN!" --Grenada Elementary School District, Grenada, CA "Joe Gandelman performed at our school with a great reception. Students and teachers alike enjoyed the program. The puppets were fun, the students were engaged throughout the performance, which included a clear no-use tobacco message. I would recommend Joe for your school assembly." --John Tyler Elementary School, Stockton, CA JOE GANDELMAN & FRIENDS Joe Gandelman's Friends were brought into Princeton, Indiana by Broomfield Elementary School to do school assemblies on an anti-tobacco grant. Here are comments from the teacher who set it up and excerpts from a small portion of student testimonial letters about the presentation (last names not used for security reasons).
As part of Brumfield s anti-tobacco grant, students were asked by their teachers to write comments about the program. Here are some excerpts from the many written comments: "(Your program) was entertaining and I think you are a great influence on kids my age, younger and older. I truly believe you help stop the increase of tobacco (use) with kids my age and older." -- Mollie "You taught us in a fun way." -- Alicia "Thank you for telling us about tobacco. I told my brother about it. Then he told his friends. You did good with the puppets." -- Nick "I loved the jokes...I just wish my Mom could have seen it. She has been a smoker since she was in her late teens and she s now in her early 30 s. To tell you the truth I almost cried. So I wanted to tell you, THANK YOU!" --Kailee "The show was very good, it was funny and educational." --Craig "I learned so much from Joe Gandelman. He is really amazing. He showed me what can really happen to people who smoke -- not just lung cancer (but) lip cancer and all others. (The assembly) told me cigarettes don t just harm the people that smoke them but the people around them." "It wasn t about the dummies or the jokes or the songs -- it was showing us what smoking can do to your body. So I made a choice. Did I really want that to happen to me? I don t think so. One thing is for sure. I ll never smoke." -- Dominic "I really learned a lot about ventriloquism and no (on) tobacco. My parents smoke but I don t want to because it is a nasty habit and it s hard to quit...I liked the show. I will say no to tobacco." -- Jessica "I learned a lot about smoking and chewing tobacco and how it can give you cancer. And about how it can kill you. And I really liked your show out of the whole year the best. And I hope you ll be back next year." -- Sarah "You were great! I liked it all...You taught me a lot..." -- Tyler "I liked how (Joe) informed us about how we can get sick and even die from using ANY kind of tobacco including pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco, cigarettes and cigars. From hearing that I will never use any of those. I also like how (Joe) incorporated the idea of ventriloquism into his act. He didn t just use puppets and dummies he also used people. His act was educational and fun at the same time." -- Arik "I really loved everything about it...I would like Joe the ventriloquist to come to Brumfield Elementary again and again." -- Danielle "You taught me not to smoke when I get older. I do not want to have anything that has to do with tobacco...(because) I do not want to get any kind of cancer." -- Che "You are one of the coolest people I know. I want to be a ventriloquist just like you...I laughed through the whole thing. And I was lucky to be picked to see you after lunch (at the workshop). I will keep practicing until I get it right." -- Keenan "You taught the kids lots of interesting facts. You re a cool dude." -- Adam "Today we went to a program called the anti-tobacco show. It was fun! The guy who did the ventriloquism is Joe Gandelman. I hope he does a lot more shows at our school! He does cool stuff. Every since I was little I wanted to do something like that." -- Keely "I especially enjoyed watching some of our rougher students become involved with your performance. They began by laughing quietly in the rear of the room and slowly worked their way to the foot of the stage to be closer to your act. Your ability to successfully include both staff and students in your skits made the performance even more meaningful for our students." --Gavilan View Middle School, Salinas, Ca "I admit I was a bit apprehensive about using a ventriloquist to entertain junior high school-age students, however, you had no problem keeping their attention with your contemporary themes and audience participation. Judging by the laughter I heard throughout the show I would say it was a great success. I ve received many positive comments -- and have since seen several students trying out the techniques your taught them." --Buena Park Jr. High School, Buena Park, CA "Excellent Students and staff learned, and laughed and experienced a message presented in a novel format. Mr. Gandelman established instant rapport with the audience. It s obvious that Joe has invested a great deal of time in perfecting his presentation and continues to adjust to meet his varied audiences needs." --Mesa Verde Middle School, Poway, CA "Terrific assembly. You taught, entertained and involved our 7th and 8th graders. Many teachers and students expressed their delight with your informative and humorous approach." --Wilson Jr. High School, El Centro, CA "I recommend Joe Gandelman and his teaching of ventriloquism to promote the theme of anti-drugs and building self-esteem. Mr. Gandelman performed for our 310 students in grades 7-12 in an assembly and taught our students how to be ventriloquists in the process. "After the assembly, Mr. Gandelman stayed all day and taught our 7th and 8th grade reading classes how ventriloquists use the dummies and throw their voices. At the end of the day, our 11th and 12th grade Theater Arts students were also taught the art of ventriloquism and showmanship. "Not only did our student body of 310 junior high and high school students learn about the tragedy of drugs, but they also learned the hands on experience how ventriloquists operate and perform. He does an outstanding job of entertaining -- and teaching -- our kids." --Ganado Jr. High-Senior High, Ganado, TX (FOOTNOTE: Many of those high school students turned out to see Joe that weekend at a nearby fair) |
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