You Have the Power – PCTN’s New Youth Program

You Have the Power, PCTN’s new bullying prevention program, is reaching many children this semester (Spring 2010). Responding to a need expressed by some school personnel, PCTN recognized that a shorter class focused exclusively on bullying would benefit our children and schools. With roots in STARS (Safety, Tolerance And Respect Superstars), the two-hour You Have the Power program sparks the imagination and insight of the participating children. It gets them thinking and, most importantly, gives them words and behaviors to handle bullying situations. The goal: Empower both the victims and the bystanders of bullying, and instill greater understanding and empathy in the children who do the bullying.

A team of PCTN volunteers researched new resources and drafted a curriculum, a new STARS Program Coordinator, April Grossberger, was signed up, and she and Sue Bordelon finalized the activities and lesson plans. April is making a terrific contribution to the development and enhancement of the program, as well as being the lead presenter. We welcome Jan Davis, who brings her caring guidance to the kids as co-facilitator.

You Have the Power instills in the kids the awareness that they have the power to guide the outcome of nearly every situation they may find themselves in with other children. Through discussion, video, and role-playing, You Have the Power helps children to identify the bullying triangle: the bully, the victim or target, and the witness or bystander. One key component of You Have the Power is teaching children the three types of physical and psychological responses to bullying: Submissive (giving in), Aggressive (hurting back), and Assertive (standing up) and the potential consequences of each reaction.

April and Jan report the kids’ energized receptiveness. In particular, the participants enjoy acting out the scenarios. “With eagerness the kids volunteer to demonstrate what we are teaching them,” April said. “They really want to share their experiences and are especially able to do so through the guided role-playing. We are teaching them a new approach to an old problem and they seem to want to put their new skills to work.” One girl offered, “If a bully teases me and I tell the bully I like myself just the way I am, that means I have the power instead of the bully.” Message received!

Partnering again with the Boys & Girls Club of Paradise Ridge, PCTN conducts You Have the Power with most of the 4^th, 5^th and 6^th grade youth in B&GC’s afterschool “Clubhouse” at Ponderosa, Paradise Elementary and Pine Ridge schools.