By Yadira Betances
ybetances@eagletribune.com
June 10, 2009 12:08 am LAWRENCE — When a classmate began calling her names, Rangely Figuereo, 11, shrugged off suggestions that she tease her back. "It hurt my feelings and it made me feel very bad," she said. "I didn't think it was the right thing to do." So Rangely talked to the classmate about her teasing and about being a bully, and today they are the best of friends, she says. "I feel really good about it. I'm very happy that she is my friend now," Rangely said. Rangely is a student at Frost School, where a "No Naming Calling" campaign is under way for fifth graders. The school did not have a set policy on bullying, but officials felt one was needed specially in middle school when children start calling each other names, putting each other down because of the color of their skin, hair, weight or height, all forms of bullying. "This is when puberty starts and they show their emotions through anger or other ways. They want to fit in and sometimes this is the way they show it," said physical education teacher Michelle Lafay. Faculty members launched the program for the 108 fifth graders in physical education, art and English classes. Lessons were taught on bullying, empathy and kindness. Members of the Lawrence Police Department came to the school and talked to students about bullying and what they can do if it happens to them. Around the school, there are posters bearing the message, "Take a Stand, Stop Bullying Now," and "Words Hurt the Heart." Before going on April vacation, students voluntarily took an oath to be respectful to classmates and signed their names on blue and pink sneakers, principal Ellen Baronawski said. "They took a voluntary pledge to stop name calling and making negative comments to each other so they can make a concentrated effort to make each other feel better," the principal said. Students were asked to express their feelings about bullying through song, art and essays. Nicholas Morris and Caitlin Pho penned an essay putting down in words how it feels to be bullied and what to do about it. Kyle Brennan, 10, wrote a song to show the importance of telling others about bullying. The program seems to be working. Recently, several students who did random acts of kindness received "Thank you for being nice" awards. "I noticed people being kind and nice to each other," she said. "One day in the cafeteria there was a boy sitting alone and a group of boys changed their seat so he would not be alone." The lessons will continue through the end of the school year. The new fifth-grade class will take on the project next academic year, with sixth-graders serving as mentors. And their random acts of kindness are being lauded by their teachers. "We want to develop acceptable behavior," said school counselor Christina Spinelli. "We're not perfect, but each and every day we try to make the school a safer place." Lafay agreed. "It's about responsibility and kindness. Our goal is for them to gain awareness," she said. "Kids now know bullying behavior and can react when they see it."
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