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New Book and play focus on bullying Teachers use arts to deter violence in schools By Brandi Neal/Journal Tribune SACO- It has happened to almost everyone. Name calling, teasing, even pushing and shoving at the hands of their classmates. Some children are afraid to go to school because of bullying. The problem, as old as school itself is finally being recognized as a serious issue. Deb Landry, director CrossroadsYouthCenter and adjunct drama teacher at SacoMiddle School, became an advocate for anti bullying legislation after her son experience threats from an older student. After Landry’s son Drew reported that another student was being bullied by a classmate, Drew became the target of bullying himself. Drew was intimidated with looks, he became anxious, “we didn’t know what to do, it turned our family upside down,” Landry said. “He didn’t want to be here. He was too scared; he was calling out to me as a parent because he was afraid to go to school.” OnJuly 27, 2005 Gov. John Baldacci signed anti-bullying legislation into law. LD#564 officially amended the school code of conduct. The law identified what bullying was and who must be trained in bullying prevention. Landry is on the Governor’s Task Force for Safe School Climates and is currently working on a best practice statement that outlines parent/teacher communication. LD 564 indicates that both the bully, bystander and target must receive separate counseling once issues arise. The incident inspired her to write a play for her youth group to perform titled “Sticks, Stones and Stumped”. the play, which has since become a children’s book, chronicles the tale of a new student who has just moved to Maine from Oklahoma named Billy Bob Opossum. Billy Bob is bullied and intimidated by a much larger animal, Bull E. Moose. The play, which middle school students have begun to present to younger grades, is meant to teach children how others can be hurt by bullying. Landry hopes that by reaching younger students, the issues can be addressed before serious problems develop. She said cyber bullying has become a major problem and many targets of bullying are showing their “power” by taking their own lives. ”Anti-bully legislation got started in Maine because the suicide rate is one of the highest in the country,” Landry said. She credits Rep. Linda Valentino (D-Saco) with helping to get the law passed. Landry said when children come to school they simply repeat behaviors that they have learned at home, media or socially. It’s put on the school system to change that”, said Landry Landry contribution toward changing the social climate is writing the book and the play. “Sticks, Stones and Stumped” debuted at the Reason for Hope Conference in October. She has since received a grant for the Maine Community Foundation to build and paint the sets for the play. Sticks, Stones and Stumped will be performed for all the schools in Saco during the next month. The cast got started Friday with performances atFairfieldSchool. Landry said the play is interactive and the audience is encouraged to ask the actors questions. Wednesday afternoon Landry took a seat in her director’s chair as the actors prepared for their final dress rehearsal. They donned animal costumes and placed the set on the school cafeteria. Those not involved in the first rehearsal ran lines with fellow actors. The two teams of students acting in the play will be excused from school to perform a community service as they travel around the city to educate other students. Drew Landry and fellow student Katie Moskowitz were recognized for sticking their necks out and speaking out against bullying. “If you confront your bully it stops, “Landry said, “but you can’t do it alone.” That is the lesson Landry hopes people take away from “Sticks, Stones and Stumped.” She is currently working on a grant that would put her book in all area kindergarten classrooms. Drew said he hopes the play will open student’s eyes to the harm bullying can cause. ”I hope it will teach them not to bully,” he said, “and teach them to respect and honor others.” Landry will have a special book release party at the Dyer Library on Tuesday, march 14 at 6:30 p.m. which is open to the public. The book is available locally at Nonesuch Books, The Field Mouse, Brown Fox Printing, Saco and Kennebunk and on line at www.brysontaylorpublishing.com.
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