Rigby Junior High students fight bullying
Students at Rigby Junior High made a challenge to each other as part of challenge day. Challenge day is a program fighting stereotypes, bullying and encouraging tolerance in schools. As part of the day, students were required to apologize to one another.
“Jess ever since sixth grade I’ve bullied you. I’m sorry,” said student Chelsea Moore.
More than three hundred 8th graders are fighting stereotypes and bullying by treating others the way they want to be treated. Interactive activities teach students how to increase self-esteem, shift peer pressure to peer support and lower the chances of teasing and violence.
“It felt kind of great just to have peace with them now, now we’re finally going to be friends again and it’s going to feel really nice to finally have one more friend to have my back,”said Moore.
The event was organized by two English teachers trying to change the schools image after an incident with a student who allegedly intended to hurt other classmates.
“We love our students and we’re very proud of our schools because we think our students have the capability to step up and do more,” said Jessica Saville and Whitney Rucklos.
The 8th graders are the only ones participating right now, but Saville hopes every grade will soon be involved.
“We can’t always be there to say hey you’re not supposed to bully, so if we could bring something to help the students understand it better than I think we will have a better environment for students,” she said. Challenge day continues in Rigby through Wednesday.
