Honk for "Honk!"

During the holidays, I had the pleasure of taking my 5 year old grandson,Cyrus to a production of "Honk," the musical based on Hans Christian Anderen's, "The Ugly Duckling." It was such an entertaining and meaningful production for children and adults. It was especially rewarding for me as the message was the same as it is for It's OK to be Different. Everyone needs to be accepted for who they are and not ridiculed for being different. I loved the words from one of the songs:
"Different isn't spiteful,
Different isn't wrong
So why is it so hard to get along?
I only want to get along.
Different isn't hateful,
Different could be swell.
Different is just...
Well...
Different"

Let's all embrace difference and model it for our children.

Sherlock Washington, Speaker for Visually Impaired

A few weeks ago our friend, Sherlock Washington, visited the kindergarten class at Tower Hill School. Always a popular visitor to the school, Sherlock came loaded down with his "tools" to show the kids that although he cannot see, he CAN do many things. Thanks in part to the technology we have today, he can live a relatively independent life. This year he brought his "beep ball" which is used in his games of softball. The kids loved hearing about how he and his visually impaired friends play ball every week. He explained that the pitcher and catcher are sighted and the beep ball allows the other players to hear the ball when it is coming! There is a pin in the ball and when it is released, a piercing sound is made. Just imagine the kid's reaction when Sherlock pulled the pin. He also has a device that tells the color of his clothing when he presses it on the piece of clothing. But, most importantly, Mr. Washington has a great sense of humor and is very engaging with the students. They always talk about him and I know they think of him now as a friend not just a man who is blind. That's what it is all about!

R for Respect

Hanging in my classroom, is a large R decorated by a former student. The first day of school I refer to it as the good R because everything we do for ourselves and others should be about Respect. It's amazing how quickly this message is accepted. Some examples:

From a student - It is 4 year old Will's first school experience so his Mom has been asking him every day to talk about school. Will said it was fine and that's all he would contribute until last week. Then he said, "I went to the It's OK to be Different class today and we talked about Respect and being kind to one another."

From a teacher - "When school starts, I spend several weeks on listening skills, consideration of others and cooperation before I delve into the curriculum. Without Respect for ourselves and others, we cannot learn."

Susan deBrigard, Director of Tower Hill School reflects on the It's OK program

"It's OK to be Different teaches children at an early age about respect for others but more importantly, respect for themselves. It strengthens their self concept and expands their social world. It takes the fear away when meeting someone in a wheelchair, someone who speaks differently or looks different than you. It allows children to explore their true feelings and emotions and share them with others, especially their parents. It teaches children to stop a minute to think about the words they say to others and understand the hurt that bullying causes. It also teaches them the hurt you feel when you are being bullied and how to stand up for yourself and say the right words.
It's OK to be Different has changed the children and families lives who attend Tower Hill School by making it comfortable to speak about topics that are generally avoided.I am PROUD to have the program touch the lives of our children, staff and families at Tower Hill School. It has changed each one of us who has participated in the program, for the better."

Reflections from Harriett Hinton, Volunteer and Friend

"I was fortunate to be a part of the It's OK to be Different program when it was implemented in the Fair Haven school district by founder Laraine Gaunt. During that time, we introduced the Understanding Disabilities portion of the curriculum. As a parent, it was a wonderful experience to help in the clasroom and see the reaction of the children to our many role-playing activities and the guest speakers. Being involved on that level allowed me to continue the teaching at home with my own children. Now, 30 years later, I am still involved in the program as a guest speaker or a visiting reader in the classroom. The addition of the Celebrating Cultures and the Anti-Bullying crriculum to It's OK make it such an attractive teaching tool which addresses many issues that young people face today. I am grateful for the opportunity I have had over the years to work with this wonderful program and its founder!"

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."

Refection from Chris Halpin, Principal

"As a principal of an elementary school, I can't think of a more valuable program. It is obvious that the development of empathy should be at the heart of any character education. The dramatic call for anti-bullying programs by politicians, parents, students and educators is sufficient evidence. The essence of It's OK to be Different is the development of empathy by targeting stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination. I know of no other program that does this so well.

Besides involving various segments of the community in implementation, the program avoids the usual charge of 'just one more thing' in the overloaded curriculum. Because of the involvement of all the language arts components - reading, writing, listening, speaking and viewing - the teacher can readily use the program to supplement instruction.

However, the most important contribution of the program to the elementary school is the establishment of a common language of empathy. As a principal, I was able to use the concepts of It's OK to resolve conflicts, establish an atmosphere of acceptance and understanding and create programs of community involvement.

We had a wonderful school, renowned throughout the area, and, I believe, it was because of this program."