Anti-bullying program presented to Northborough schools
By Mary Pritchard Contributing Writer
By Mary Pritchard Contributing Writer

(l to r) Melican Middle School sixth-graders Rebecca Peterson, Erin Shepherd and Katherine Lovett and CLIMB "actoreducators" Elisabeth Smith and Khary Jackson use fun and drama to point out some of the techniques they talked about during an antibullying program at Melican Middle School. PHOTO/MARY PRITCHARD

Northborough - The administration of the Robert E. Melican Middle School began the school year with a universal lesson for all of their students. For one week, two "actor-educators" from Creative Learning Ideas for Mind and Body (CLIMB), worked with all students on bullying prevention.

Julie Phipps, a guidance counselor at Melican Middle School, which houses sixth through eighth grades, began researching and planning last year to bring the unique program to the school.

"Kids know what bullying is and they know they can come to an adult if there is a problem," Phipps said. "This is such an important subject that we wanted to give the students more tools to respond to bullying such as how to speak up for oneself and others, as well as how to be a positive and active bystander.

"School needs to be a safe place and this is such an important subject that we wanted to put the time in to address the issue of bullying with all students," she added.

CLIMB, which is described as an Educational Touring Children's Theatre, produces original plays and classes for grades K-12. Topics include bullying prevention, environmental protection, acceptance of diff erences, substance abuse prevention, respect, the environment, violence prevention, self control and friendship.

The organization uses interactive theater techniques, skits, games, activities, role-playing and group discussions to ex- plore the topic that a particular school wants to address.

During the week at Melican, the actor-educators gave 31 presentations to small groups.

"The presentations catered to our school's needs and, because of the small groups, there was an opportunity for great interaction and it was very personal for our kids," Phipps said. "They [CLIMB representatives] have very creative ways to work with the kids and the theater piece has a big impact. It makes it meaningful and real; it reaches them because they can relate and connect."

Phipps was impressed that CLIMB shared a universal message,

" with the same strategies and common language for the whole school.

"The actors were very respectful of the kids and taught them strategies that they can use even after they have left this school," she said.

Phipps also pointed out that as she researched and planned the project, she was "supported 100 percent" by Melican Principal Pat Montimurro, as well as Dr. Charles Gobron, acting superintendent of the Northborough Public Schools.

"They were so helpful in getting them [CLIMB)] here. We worked together; it was a real team eff ort," she said.

That team effort also included the principals of all of the town's elementary schools as the anti-bullying lesson became a community-wide event, with each of the Northborough public elementary schools also experiencing CLIMB presentations.

"We are really pleased with the program," Phipps said. "It was very well received and the feedback has been positive. It was a great way to kick off our school year and set a positive tone for the year."