Oct. 1, 2009
Actress and puppeteer Rebekah Lane puts on a show at Oviedo's Stenstrom Elementary Tuesday. An anti-bullying program teaches kids how to fight back.
Photo by Isaac Babcock — The Observer
By Karen McEnany-Phillips
Observer Staff
Pigs, puppets and private detectives have teamed up to equip local elementary students with bully prevention techniques using humor, songs and secret handshakes.
"For whatever reason, children don't have the same coping mechanisms; their response to bullying appears to be more severe," said Tracey Conner, Founder and President of MicheLee Puppets. "Everything changed after Columbine."
No longer considered a phase kids will outgrow, bullying is now defined by law and 36 states have enacted anti-bully legislation giving schools a mandate to provide a safe environment for students and teachers. Florida passed the Jeffrey Johnston Stand Up For All Students Act in 2008 in response to a Cape Coral student who committed suicide after being bullied for years.
Lisa Page is the Prevention Specialist for Safe and Drug Free Schools for Seminole County and headed the committee that wrote the bullying policy for the district.
That's when the puppet shows came. "Kids love these shows," said Page of the theater productions, which teach kids how to combat bullying.
DARE Officer Diane Duffy of the Oviedo Police Department also provides training to parents, PTA groups and students about the effects and consequences of bullying. They learn about "hidden" bullying behaviors such as spreading rumors, unwanted teasing and exclusionary behaviors as well as obvious ones such as fighting, pushing, tripping and destruction of personal property.
"The cute songs and lots of repetition are presented on their level so they can remember the message. It gives them real life solutions in a fun and exciting program," guidance counselor Terri Koepsell said.
Younger students enjoy "A Good Day for Pancake" about a pig who learns to deal with a bully. Older elementary students enjoy "BSI" investigations that use the CSI concept to identify clues and solutions for bullying.
Tracey Conner's award-winning troupe has performed for more than 1.6 million children on a variety of topics including childhood obesity, literacy, environment, health and abuse during its 24 year history. "Our bullying programs target 80 percent of kids who are neither bullies nor victims," said Conner. "We empower the bystander because the bystander has the power to stop it."
Conner said students are encouraged to distract the bully, use appropriate language to assertively address the bully, and find a trusted adult immediately if a weapon is present. Teachers use activity guides as a springboard for discussion.
Reporting incidents is crucial, said Koepsell, who has been with Seminole County Schools for 27 years.
"No matter how busy we may be, we are always available to help them with whatever they need," she said. "When children cannot concentrate because of bullying it affects the teacher's ability to teach all the students. "We role play so that they are more confident in their response to the bully. Body language is important. We encourage students to stand up for each other."
Conner said her puppets are making a difference. "We receive feedback that students are excited when they understand they can respond appropriately to bullying in any form."
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What parents can do
-Be involved in your child's life.
-Monitor your child's computer time.
-Teach your child assertive skills — to use words not violence
-Ask your child open-ended 
questions.
-Look for signs: pretending to be ill, withdrawing from friends, avoiding extracurricular activities, declining grades, loss of appetite, depression, moodiness
-Learn what bullying behaviors are considered today.
-Work with school administrators and keep written records.
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