Shaw Avenue School says no to bullying

“Bully” and “victim” are two words that Jeremy Rubenstein doesn’t like to use when talking about bullying. The creator of Box Out Bullying brought his show, with a strong anti-bullying message, to Shaw Avenue School for three performances on Nov. 5.

Rubenstein and Ryan Nelson engaged students in each hour-long show in the school auditorium about the actions children can take to prevent bullying. They spoke about empathy, how to stand up for someone being bullied, why bullying is wrong and what are the characteristics of someone who bullies others.

“We believe that bullying is an issue that affects not just the school,” Rubenstein said, “but the community.” He started his traveling show two years ago, and said by this December the message will have reached 100,000 children. Rubenstein’s company is based in Lancaster, Pa. and the program has visited hundreds of schools in numerous states.

During the show, students see what a bully is. But Rubenstein said he won’t ever say “bully” because it gives too much power to the word and to those who bully others. He also won’t call the target of bullying a “victim.”

Shaw Avenue School Principal Angela Hudson said this program was held in addition to the school’s Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports program, which includes and anti-bullying component. In the school, students are rewarded for their good behavior, and have discussions with teachers about their bad choices.

Hudson said she hopes that the Box Out Bullying program would give students the power to make better choices and intervene if they see someone else being bullied. Students should also know that it’s OK to tell a teacher, administrator or other grown-up about acts of bullying, “So that we can help,” she said.

Students got to participate in the Box Out Bullying program, with a few from each group invited up to the stage. Rubenstein said it is important that students are an active part of the show so they are seeing, doing and listening.