Teachers and administration at the Gwinn High School and Middle School are working to make changes for students who feel oppressed
GWINN -- For some students, simply walking down the hallway is a challenge everyday. And teachers and administration at Gwinn High School and Middle School have taken notice.
"We had kids hiding in the hallway, kids hiding in the bathroom because they felt that they would be teased, made fun of,” said Principal Kim VanDrese. “We had several students that weren't even going in to eat, and we said that just can't happen anymore."
Teachers or administration intervening in these situations may seem like the logical solution. But sometimes, that can make the problem worse.
"It's hard as a teacher; you see it happening and in some cases you do step in and in other cases if you step in, it makes it worse because then students pursue that as you need an adult to back you up," said eighth grade teacher Kristy Gollakner.
To help remedy the problem, this week the schools are participating in Challenge Day. The goal of the one day program is to reduce teasing and bullying and offer tools for peaceful conflict resolution. Challenge Day is also geared to inspire teens and adults to work together to make positive changes. And to reach the students, the program has a unique approach--dancing and playing games.
"They need somebody that literally dresses like them, talks like them, has enthusiasm like them, and I think that's a huge selling point of this program,” Gollakner said. “If we had people up there in suits and ties looking very professional, the kids would be checked out the moment they walked in the door."
Making these kinds of big changes in only one day may seem like a tall order. But there is a component of the program that teachers and administration hope will bring about a more positive atmosphere at school.
"The idea is kids look around and see that they're not alone,” VanDrese said, “and they'll look around and see that there are others here at the school, even adults in the community, that will support them through, you know, the trying times that they're having."
School leaders are hoping that after Challenge Day, walking down the hallway is a little easier for their students.
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