Teacher, Fran Gorski's Reflections of The Be a Buddy - not a Bully program

"The more I am involved with the program, the better it gets. I was most impressed with the children carrying the message of the program back into the classroom and "using" it. Sure, during the It's OK sessions, there is constant reference to being kind, co-operative, sharing and accepting, but, it is a whole different "ballgame" putting the program into practice. I just love the following example and outcome:
On one occasion, the children were asked to wear red, white and blue on a certain day. When one little girl did not, I asked, "Why?" Her response was, "Mrs. Gorski, it's OK to be different, ya know." She was very secure with herself, very confident so who was I to argue. She taught me a lesson of acceptance that day. The total outcome was even better. The children picked up on it and used it on different occasions while doing class work or while speaking to other children on the playground. They remembered their friends' feelings, included other children in games and even reminded each other that secrets cause hurt feelings. They got the concept of acceptance and kindness - at least most of the time!
Ther was one incident when the program was used as a tool while talking to parents regarding their child's behavior. We, the staff, put into practice what we preach in school. Because the parents assist in the It's OK program, they were able to teach their children at home the same concepts. It is not a once a week lesson to be used only then. It is a lesson for a lifetime!
I think it is important that the program be introduced at an early age and used yearly as the children develop so does the level of presentation. The more widespread the program, the quicker the word will spread that it is OK to be different."