‘Reach to Teach’ Strives to Combat All Types of Bullies
by Yuridia Peña
During an anti-bullying lesson at PS/MS 37, Bronx, the anecdotes told by retired school administrator Michael Fisher
grab the attention of every student. Most of the students can relate since most kids have been bullied, have witnessed bullying or, whether they know it or not, are bullies.
Mr. Fisher brings his Reach to Teach program into schools with the cooperation of a building’s school leaders. The program is designed to help prevent juvenile violence in schools with a focus on bullying in all its forms: physical, verbal, exclusionary and online.
Even though bullying is most prevalent at the middle and high school levels, Principal Kenneth Petriccione addresses the issue in the PS/MS 37’s fourth grade. The goal is for every student entering middle school to understand what comprises bullying, how to prevent it, what to do if you’re a victim or what to do if you witness students bullying others. Students are taught to detect signs of bullying, to
see both sides of a story, to look out for “triggers”
of fights and to resolve conflicts.
Reach to Teach is designed to work with classes in cycles of four to ten lessons. Each lesson is related to a theme that specifically deals with violence prevention such as building awareness, developing a “winning class” of students who don’t allow bullying and improving individual communication skills.
“We have a real family atmosphere,” said Mr. Petriccione. “[We are] small enough where we can analyze what the individual needs of these students are … When you have a winning class, kids don’t allow bullying to happen,” said Mr. Fisher.
The “winning class” concept is carefully integrated into every lesson. Peer mediation is encouraged and students share their bullying stories. Mr. Fisher says a good classmate is like a good teammate. Therefore, students learn how to respect and support one another. He strongly believes that once students believe they are a part of a “winning
class,” better academic performance follows.
“We found that it had a positive impact … it didn’t happen overnight,” said Mr. Petriccione. He was also impressed with how a literacy component was integrated into Reach to Teach when he read student testimonials at the program’s end.
The anti-bullying work doesn’t end after fourth grade. Mr. Petriccione has introduced a program in his middle school as well that is conducted by Soren Bennick Productions, a messaging company that focuses on the performing arts. Soren Bennick produces shows at schools that teach lessons; The Power of One, a touring show of skits, provides
examples of different types of bullying and ways to manage them.
