About SSA: SSA In The News

Imagine a School Without Bullies - That's the goal of a new program at Willow Canyon Elementary School

November 2, 2006
by Tabitha Deans

There are many types of bullying that occur in schools across the nation every day. Excluding students from activities, putting students down and physical mistreatment are just a few of the ways students can be bullied.

There are also severals effective ways to deal with bullying in schools, and 30 students from Willow Canyon Elementary in Sandy recently learned how to deal with bullies, and are taking their new knowledge back to their peers in the classroom and on the playground.

Karen Thomson, principal of Willow Canyon, recently introduced the students to a program called Safe School Ambassadors (SSA), which utilizes peer influence and education to create "bully-free" schools.

"This program is probably the most proactive, positive thing we've done," Thomson said. "We have a great school, but we can always make a good school better."

Willow Canyon is the first school in Utah to take advantage of the SSA program, a nonprofit organization based out of Santa Rosa, Calif. The SSA program has been introduced in more than 500 schools throughout the country.

John Linney, who presented the SSA training at Willow Canyon, said the concept of the program is to educate and empower students.

"We want to shift the school climate to a positive, empowering climate for students," Linney said.

The 30 students who participated in the two-day training were chosen by their peers and teachers because of their leadership abilities and influence on other students. Ten adults also attended the training, including playground aides, the school psychologist and the PTA Safety commissioner.

Linney utilized team-building activities to help students learn how to work together, and help demonstrate the power of unity. Key areas of focus were effective ways to deal with a bullying situation, and students practiced role-playing to defuse bullies.

Becca Baird, a fifth-grade Safe School Ambassador, said she wants to help her school become "bully-free."

"I learned that you don't have to get a grown-up all the time. We can work some things out ourselves," Becca said.

Students learned how to include students who may have been excluded, or "loners," and how to build students up rather than put them down. They also learned how to recognize when a situation mandates adult involvement, such as weapons on the school grounds.

"I think it's a good program. It will help stop the bullying. But I learned sometimes it's okay to walk away," said Malone Sutherland, a fourth-grade Safe School Ambassador.

Fifth-grader Chelsea Liu said she's learned important concepts that she can use outside of school as well.

"I really like to help people. It's really helped me learn important skills," Chelsea said.

Principal Thomson said the two-day training is just one part of the school's efforts to increase safety awareness.

"We had a kickoff assembly and pledged to be a 'bully-free' school," Thomson said. We also have representatives here from Eastmont Middle School, where many of our students will attend."

Safe School Ambassadors will be meeting with adult advisors each week, and review their "action" logs, which will include incidents and ideas.

McCall Matson, a fourth-grade ambassador, said he thinks the program will help the school decrease the opportunity for bullying on the playground.

"I think it's a really great thing because I know a few bullies myself," McCall said.

Thomson said her school hasn't had any serious incidents involving bullying, but said she understands some kids can be mean to others at times.

"These ambassadors will have a great effect on the other students, and we're being pro-active in keeping our school safe," Thomson said.