No More Drama Day Is A BiG Success!

This week was designated as Bully Awareness and Prevention Week here in Maryland. All schools were encouraged to heighten the awareness of students and develop strategies to eliminate bullying behaviors.

Thanks to the vision, creativity and hard work of our very own Ms. Swank, the second annual No More Drama Day at WLMS was a BIG success. Our 7th grade students participated in a series of sessions designed to have them reflect on the drama they may have caused by their words and deeds here in school. Ms. Swank stated, "Our ultimate goal is to have our students help us create a safe and welcoming environment for our school and to make a pledge to rid our school of the drama that plagues us each and every day. This will give us a peaceful end of the year and a fresh start for next year!"

Ms. Swank was inspired to educate our students about the devastating and long term effects that the actions of bullies can have on a person who is targeted. Ms. Swank saw the video below and decided to develop a program that would help students realize what damage is done when we are unkind to each other. Click below to view a clip from The Bully Solution video that was created in Canada.

No More Drama Day Activities

Session 1: The Day's Warm-up:

• Students completed a brainstorming activity centered around the topic of Who's a Bully?
  

Session 2: Town Hall Assembly

• Student leaders shared the opening slide show
• Student leaders showed last years' humorous Imovie skits (release tension) about bullying situations and facilitated a discussion
• Student leaders discussed the article ‘Bullied to Death’Student and showed the video ‘The Bully Solution’

Session 3: Reflection and Confession

• Students were asked, "What would you say to the person who has been affected by your drama if you had the chance to apologize?"
  
• Students were given the opportunity to Apologize and ask for Forgiveness
  

Session 4: Expectations

• Student leaders explained what they expected for the rest of the year and for the coming year, they talk to the students candidly about what they wanted for our school and what they do not want to see.
  
• Student leaders asked for volunteers (teachers and students) to ask what positive changes they wanted to see for their class next year. Someone from the group recorded the ideas for the leaders to consider and to work on over the summer.

MIX IT UP Lunch break (ASSIGNED SEATING AT LUNCH)

Session 5: The Pledge

• Students were asked to make a pledge in front of the group and sign the ‘No More Drama’ banner. Students were given “No More Drama!” stickers.
  
• Student leaders debriefed and restated the objective for the day and reflected on what they had learned.
  

Session 6: - Keeping No More Drama Day Alive

• Students made posters for teachers to put in their classroom based upon the principles of No More Drama Day.

Session 7: The Challenge

• Students completed the No More Drama Day challenge. This challenged them to carry along today’s message and lessons into their own lives.
• Students created envelopes for their peers with positive comments to boost self-esteem and community.

Congratulations to Ms. Swank and all of the students and staff that have decided to be the change we want to see in the world. I was truly inspired by the transformational power that was on display this week.

If you would like to find out more information about this activity, please feel free to contact Ms. Swank at jswank@hcpss.org.