The Golden Rule at Kermit McKenzie Junior High School is respect. More than 80 students recently participated in Respect Day, where they learned that treating other people the way they want to be treated is not only fun, but also productive.
Representatives from Fighting Back Santa Maria Valley worked with sixth-grade students on activities designed to deal with issues of leadership, self-esteem, substance abuse, hostility, intolerance, and bullying. Students also gave personal testimonials of the challenges and behaviors associated with those issues.
Campus outreach consultant Debbie Derr said in a press release that she believes the program inspired more students to make a commitment to create a more tolerant school environment.
“It was a powerful and transformative day that can change the way students interact with adults on and off campus,” Derr said.
The press release said some students found the program beneficial because they made new friends and planned to be better friends. Other students were surprised because they didn’t realize fellow classmates felt similarly to them about the way they are treated.
Principal Gabriel Solorio said in the release that he was proud of his students for taking advantage of the learning opportunity.
“I hope they will carry on with what they have learned for the rest of their lives,” he said.
