Anthony McLean is an actor and speaker based in Toronto. He has presented at hundreds of schools from Eastern Canada to South Australia and on Friday he visited Crestwood School. He spoke to the entire student body in two separate talks.
This Primary Division presentation gives students a good grasp of what bullying is: When someone is being mean on purpose and they are doing it again and again and again. If it only happens once, its not bullying. If it was an accident, its not bullying. We talk about treating others the way we would like to be treated and using your words — not your hands — to tell people how you would like to be treated. We also encourage kids to try to solve problems among themselves before getting a teacher involved.
This Junior Division presentation drives home the importance of not being a passive bystander in bullying episodes. We get students up on their feet role playing the RIGHT and WRONG way to handle a bullying scenario. And we warn students that the words “Just Kidding!” don’t make an inappropriate joke any more appropriate! These students are also taught about cyber bullying and the all important on-line mantra: “Think before you click!”
