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Francis S. Grandinetti Elementary School students mix it up |
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Friday, 14 November 2008 |
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Photo by Heather Tressler
The first grade students at the Francis Grandinetti Elementary School enjoying National Mix-it-up Day. National program designed to bring students closer together.
By Heather Tressler
Record Staff Writer
The nationwide campaign, "Mix it Up" made a brief stop at Francis S. Grandinetti Elementary School yesterday afternoon. Mix it up is an effort to get students nationwide to participate and respect diversity. Last year, it was estimated that 4 million students in 10,000 schools participated. This year marks the second time the school has participated, noted Autumn Myers, who is a guidance counselor at the school.
Myers says it is critical to teach students about diversity at a young age. Research shows prejudice begins to take shape in children as young as age three, and in elementary school, children begin to realize that by forming groups of friends, they can exert influence over others. Research also shows that by the time a child reaches second and third grade, students know what it means to popular or unpopular.
Well, the elementary school has taken steps towards breaking the mold of prejudice to help the children meet people they may not have known. They did this during the students' lunches yesterday where they were given a starburst before entering the lunch room. The students then matched their starburst to the similar colored balloons on the lunch tables, engaging them to sit with different kids they don't normally sit with.
Myers says the event is done about four times a year, and it is especially effective with the younger students. Myers also says the students really seem to enjoy it.
"By taking a new seat in the cafeteria and meeting new people, we can teach our children that no matter what our differences are, we can all be friends," Myers said. "Sometimes they do end up with their friends, but they usually get at-least one or two kids they didn't know."
There are many benefits to this event.
"This event benefits the kids because it allows them to meet new kids," said Myers. "It also allows them to be accepting of new kids."
The students also had the opportunity to win prizes if they were given a lucky starburst with the letter "M" on it. If a student received an "M" marked starburst, they were rewarded with a special prize.
Myers encourages parents to ask your child to reflect on his/her experience with mix it up day; ask them how they feel about the event, if they were excited, if they made new friends, if they were willing to participate again, and ask them about how others treated them. "In working together, we may begin to help make students more aware of diversity, acceptance and tolerance," said Myers. |
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 30 July 2009 )
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