Eighth grade teachers at Falls High School are ready to encourage students to make a difference.
Tuesday began a four-week “Be The Change” campaign to kick bullying out the door and bring a more positive atmosphere to the school.
“The whole spin is to create a more positive school environment,” Tim Everson FHS principal told The Journal. “Instead of being a bully-bashing campaign, we are trying to empower students against bullying. We’re trying to build everyone up and have a more pleasant atmosphere by reducing bullying, and empowering students.”
Students listened Tuesday as Chris Hemstad, FHS science teacher, discussed how bullying is impacting the eighth grade class. Students are getting low grades and have no motivation, he said.
Teachers looked at the lack of participation among the students and decided the problem stemmed from bullying. The decision prompted the campaign which according to Hemstad, will hopefully develop respect and trust in the school setting.
“It is up to you guys,” Hemstad told the group of students. “We want to make (school) a place that is awesome. We want the yucky, icky bullying stuff out of here.”
Everson added that to make such an effort work students need to relay the information to their parents so the community can take part in making a change. Hemstad said he wanted leaders within the eighth grade class to take it upon themselves to make change happen.
As part of the first step in making a change, students signed contracts to ‘be the change’ and made posters about what they wanted to see improve within the school. Several presentations to continue the effort are scheduled for the coming weeks.
