8th-graders return to elementary school for assembly

WANTAGE — Excitement filled the air in preparation for the Sussex-Wantage Regional Schools' Olweus Anti-Bullying Program Kickoff on March 17 during an Assembly at Wantage Elementary School.
School Counselor Alicia Citro introduced the assembly developed by five eighth graders: Kaitlyn LaRue, Olivia Fairweather, Kaitlyn Wunder, Caroline Reese, and Sydney Hill. “The Five” returned to their old schools to help younger students be better friends and prepare for middle school.
Fifth graders individually asked about some hot topics regarding Sussex Middle School.
“Do you have gym?” Were you afraid of getting lost?” Is there a map?” “Do you get a lot of homework?” Were you nervous the first day of school?”
They were also concerned about: lockers, forgetting their schedule, and walking into the wrong class.
LaRue, Fairweather, Wunder, Reese, and Hill assured the students they could attend a middle school orientation; people were there to help; and the students would adapt to the new freedom and responsibilities.
The Five also positively talked to the students about the SW-5 hand, being respectful, responsible, supportive, a voice, and a champion. They encouraged all the students to think ahead and use SW-5 at home and school.
Next, they showed the fifth graders, and later the third- and fourth-graders, a montage of three Disney movies showing friendship: “Finding Nemo,” Monsters, Inc.,” and “Up.” In an entertaining way, the snippets presented how SW-5 shows up in everyday life, and how to be a good friend.
The students were enamored. Especially, the third- and fourth-graders, who crowed with laughter and pointed at “Darla,” in “Finding Nemo,” and Ellie, as she became friends with her husband in “Up.”
The Five also brainstormed with the students about positive friendship character qualities.
The fifth graders said, “Funny, courage, accepting, hopeful, trustworthy, nice, friendly, caring, crazy, happy, supportive, creative, always there for you, thoughtful, and dependable.”
Each assembly group later had their friendship quality list written on a big SW-5 hand and hung up in the hall of their school.
LaRue, Fairweather, Wunder, Reese, and Hill also presented age appropriate assemblies to the Sussex Middle School and CE Lawrence School. Different students performed rap songs regarding SW-5. Citro wrote the song for the fifth grade assembly, incorporating student ideas.
Tina Aue, the director of the Center for Prevention in Counseling, later explained the Olweus Anti-Bullying Initiative was awarded to the Sussex-Wantage Schools and is a state grant with federal monies.
Sussex Middle School Vice Principal Greg Schrader said the five eighth-graders were highly motivated and exceptional in their preparations for the different school assemblies.
Schrader added the entire Olweus Anti-Bullying Initiative required a lot of district personnel training since the beginning of the school year; and all the staff have been trained. Also, the age appropriate curriculum was implemented in all the schools before Spring Break.