Students at Julien Elementary School received a musical message about anti-bullying on Friday from the all-girl rock band Banshees Against Bullying. With each and every song performed, the musicians got students up and dancing, while also teaching them about Stop, Walk, Talk bullying prevention procedures.
“We hope that students know that people actually get hurt when you tease them,” said Banshees Against Bullying bass player Helaina Schisnewski. “It has to stop. Treat others how you want to be treated.”
So far, the girls have made a stop at Brown, Crowell, Cunningham and Julien elementary schools. The band has plans to promote bullying prevention procedures through music at all schools in the district.
“These ladies not only believe in their message, but they also want to make a difference,” said Julien Principal Jeff Persons during the girls’ performance on Friday. “We are so honored that the district invited Banshees Against Bullying to come to each school to promote anti-bullying and the Stop, Walk, Talk program.”
The Banshees Against Bullying performance was just one of the many efforts that Turlock Unified School District is enacting in order to promote anti-bullying.
“We launched the Stop, Walk, Talk program in Turlock to give the students the tools to respond to bullying as it is truly the Common Core approach to bullying prevention,” said Gil Ogden. “The SWT program aligns with the changes in the law which require students to make a report and provide counseling for students reporting bullying.”
TUSD implemented the Stop, Walk, Talk program this year to reflect California anti-bullying laws that require all educational agencies to reduce bullying and improve student safety by fostering connections between pupils and supportive adults, schools, and communities.
Stop, Walk, Talk is a program that encourages students to talk to adults when they are either involved or witness a bullying situation. School personnel is then encouraged to take immediate steps to intervene in a bullying situation and investigate all complaints filed through the district’s “TALK” reporting form.
