'Peacemakers' Continue Their Anti-Bullying Movement At Riverhead Schools

Photo courtesy of Riverhead Central School District

The student-initiated anti-bullying movement in two Riverhead elementary schools was started by Morgan Dunn, a former Roanoke Avenue Elementary School student who was determined to stop bullying in her elementary school.

After Roanoke Principal Tom Payton approved the idea for the club, the Roanoke Anti-Bullying club became a real presence in the life of the school.

The following year, the group changed their name to “The Peacemakers”, but their message remains the same: “Speak Up, Don’t be a Bystander, Forgive Others, Accept Others for their Differences, Include Others, Seek Help if you Need It, and We can make a difference”. This student movement was also adopted by the fourth graders at the Phillips Avenue Elementary School.

The students in the Peacemakers groups at both Roanoke and Phillips meet with Shannon Kutner, a Riverhead Community Awareness Program (CAP) elementary social worker, and give up some of their recess time to discuss ways to end bullying in their school.

In each of the schools, the Peacemakers begin the school year by reading the book The Juice Box Bully to every class in their school and then ask the students to help them by signing a promise not to bully and to speak up if someone needs help.

In January, the students will assist their schools by organizing student and staff participation in “The Great Kindness Challenge”.