Poland aims to inspire students with this school year’s kickoff for the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program
Poland Central School District students and staff participate in a race to squeeze toothpaste out of tubes and then put as much toothpaste as possible back into the tubes. The activity, which took place on Friday, Oct. 7, as part of this school year’s kickoff of the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, was designed to demonstrate how it’s easier to say something hurtful than to take it back.
POLAND – After Poland Central School District students and
staff raced to squeeze toothpaste out of tubes on Friday, Oct. 7, Middle
School/High School Principal Greg Cuthbertson revealed that the next race was
to get as much toothpaste as possible back into the tubes.
Following the activity, Cuthbertson asked which part was
more challenging, and the response was unanimous that putting the toothpaste
back in was more difficult.
Cuthbertson then told students that the activity tied into
the day’s kickoff of the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program for the 2016-17
school year because it represented that it’s much easier to say something
hurtful than to take it back – and that it can all leave a big mess.
“Think before you act,” he said. “That’s all we ever ask you
to do.”
The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program kicked off schoolwide
for this school year with class meetings, assemblies featuring performance
painter Tom Varano, team-building activities and a pep rally in the Trzepacz
Gym.
Varano, who has a photography studio in Rome, shared his
“Emotion into Art” show during separate assembles for prekindergarten through
fourth grade and for fifth grade through 12th grade. Varano has been
traveling to perform at corporate, college and charity events for about five
years, and he recently started putting on the show at schools to spread his
inspirational message.
“You and I have to stop bullying. We have to put it in its
place together,” Varano said during one of the assemblies. “I think we can do
it. I believe in you in that way.”
At points during the performances, Varano shined a bright
light out above the crowd.
“You need to be a shining light in this world with your
light,” he said. “If your passion and your will are bright enough, you can be
that light.”
Varano also encouraged students to listen to their teachers.
“Their dream and their passion was to be teaching you,” he
said. “They have your back.”
While playing music and inspiring comments, Varano quickly
made a few paintings during each performance – such as paintings of Martin
Luther King Jr. and the Statue of Liberty.
Varano also shared his backstory and other stories about
people chasing their dreams, adding that it’s important to not only have a
dream but to follow it up with practice and research.
"I'm here to tell you that your dream matters," he said. "You have to find your passion."
For a gallery with more than 115 photos from the day, visit www.facebook.com/PolandCSD.
Poland Central School District students and staff for grades 5-12 pose for a picture as performance painter Tom Varano and Middle School/High School Principal Greg Cuthbertson hold up one of Varano’s paintings (center) during this school year’s kickoff of the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program on Friday, Oct. 7.
Poland Central School District students and staff for prekindergarten through fourth grade pose for a picture as performance painter Tom Varano (on the left, in front of the bleachers) displays one of the paintings he made during this school year’s kickoff of the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program on Friday, Oct. 7.
Poland Middle School/High School Principal Greg Cuthbertson addresses students during team-building activities as part of the district’s kickoff of the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program for this school year on Friday, Oct. 7.
Performance painter Tom Varano sets the music for his “Emotion into Art” show after completing one of his paintings during Poland Central School District’s 2016-17 kickoff of the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program on Friday, Oct. 7.
Poland elementary students cheer during a pep rally on Friday, Oct. 7, to conclude Poland Central School District’s 2016-17 kickoff of the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program.