Stand Up Now

By Mary Simmons
TIMES-ADVOCATE STAFF

     USBORNE – Students at Usborne Central Public School participated in a “live radio broadcast’ about bullying Sept. 22.
     DJ Benny DL., also know as Bruce Langford, was at the school to present his musical program, ‘Stand Up Against Bullying.’
     Langford presented the program in three assemblies geared towards children of various ages.
     The primary and junior students were the live studio audience in varied programs which took on the form of a live ATFM (A Time For Music) radio broadcast. Interspersed with songs about bullying were callers with questions on the topic and opportunities for students to win prizes.
     In the primary program, geared for students in Grade 3 and younger, Langford sings such songs as ‘I Know A Bully,’ ‘Just Ignore,’ ‘Please Leave Me Alone,’ ‘The Wall,’ ‘Be A Winner’ and ‘Stand Up.’
     The Junior program has the same format, but has some different songs and is geared towards students in Grades 4-6.
     Intermediate students in Grades 7-8 took part in a discussion on the subject, including videos and role play.
     Langford told students some bullying should be ignored.
     “A lot of people are doing this stuff because they want attention,” he said.
     But he said it is also important to know when to stand up for yourself and others being picked on.   He   said     

sometimes bystanders don’t stand up to bullies because they are scared, think it’s funny or just don’t know what to do.
     “We all want to be kind to each other but sometimes we forget,” he told the students.
    “It only takes one person to make a difference and that one person can be you.”
      He also told the students there is a difference between telling and tattling.
      “Telling is letting someone know something that has to be told,” he said. “Tattling is trying to get someone in trouble.”
      Langford, a music teacher for the past 15 years, decided to take a leave from teaching to develop the program and present it at schools in southwestern Ontario. He took a half leave last year and then decided to fully commit himself to the program this year.
     “I know there is a need out there,” Langford said when asked why he decided to put together a program about bullying. “As a teacher, I am used to dealing with it.”
     He said it is important for schools to continue to present the topic in different ways.
     “This is one more way to connect with the students,” he added.
     After the sessions, teachers are left with a package of worksheets and a CD to follow up with students.
     Langford said he has received positive feedback from students and teachers, some of which is posted on his Web site, www.atfm.ca.