FAYETTEVILLE -- Elle Robinson said she will think of a program she attended Thursday when she sees someone who needs help.
Elle, 12, attended a program organized by Ozark Guidance at McNair Middle School. She and other students sat at tables and listened to a presentation about Kids Helping Kids. It's a "peer education program," according to a news release. The program focuses on students helping each other, encouraging each other to make good choices, reducing bullying and reducing student involvement in gangs.
Web Watch
To learn more about Ozark Guidance’s school related services, go to ozarkguidance.org, click on “Programs & Services” near the top of the screen, click on “Child Services” in the column on the left and then click on “School Based Services” in the column on the left.
The Ozark Guidance presentation showed information listing five ways students can support others. Stand up for people who're being picked on, help those who are hurt, ask an adult for help, model and encourage good behaviors and be a friend were discussed.
Ozark Guidance employees then went into detail for each item on the list and performed demonstrations. They also did an experiment to show the meaning of the word "catalyst" and how students can spread the information they learned. The students watched as four spots of different food coloring were placed into a circular pan of milk. Drops of dish soap were then added, and the colors spread and mixed.
The program helps against bullying as students are asked to think of other people before themselves, said Joel Martin, a behavior intervention specialist with Ozark Guidance.
However, Martin said the program isn't direct gang prevention. Hopefully, students in the program will help other students who are at risk of gang involvement, he said.
The program was in the pilot stage last spring, said Erin Goodwin, program coordinator for Washington County school based services with Ozark Guidance. It was launched in August for schools in Washington, Benton, Carroll and Madison counties.
Each school has a selection process for students who participate, Martin said. Students chosen already exhibit some leadership qualities. He referred to the program as leadership training for children.
The length of the program depends on the school, Martin said. It can range from one presentation to multiple sessions. There are usually about 25 students in the program at each school.
Elle said she learned as individuals the students can help other people. Elizabeth Gunderman, 12, said she learned she doesn't always need a teacher's assistance to help someone.
Nola Grace Bailey, 11, said she won't be as afraid to help other people because she knows there will be people helping others as well.
Students also create presentations to teach the information they learned to their peers as part of the program, Martin said. Students can create them in various formats, such as posters, videos and skits.
Each student will receive a T-shirt for participating in the program, according to the release.
NW News on 01/29/2016