Civil rights and civility

A local school becomes a ‘bully-free zone’ as students learn about Martin Luther King Jr.As members of the student body at Top of the World Elementary will tell you, Martin Luther King Jr. was not the type of person to succumb to bullying.

In honor of the late civil rights activist, the entire student body at Top of the World participated in a Friday morning assembly concerned with conflict resolution.

The Top of the World campus has been declared a “bully-free zone” as part of a national campaign called “Don’t Laugh At Me.” The campaign was started by Peter Yarrow of the folk group Peter, Paul and Mary in order to emphasize the importance of respect.

Members of the student body talked about the highlights of King’s life as slides were shown in the background.

The lesson was clear and powerful.

“Black people in America were not treated equally,” one student said, explaining that restaurants, schools and restrooms were segregated by race.

“He [King] organized and inspired all races,” another student said. “He knew the U.S. stood for something better.”

The slides showed King giving speeches, including his famous “I have a dream” speech at the March on Washington in 1963.

“We can share his dream if we settle differences lawfully and peacefully,” the presentation concluded.

In recognition of “Don’t Laugh At Me,” school counselor Jami Parsons revealed a 20-foot-long banner hung above the assembly hall doors with the words “TOW Is A Bully Free School.”

The banner carries a constitution signed by the entire student body vowing to maintain a bully-free environment.

“Martin Luther King taught nonviolence and emphasized peace, just as we emphasize a peaceful school environment,” Parsons said.

“Conflict is inevitable; what we do is teach problem solving-techniques,” Parsons said.

To further the peaceful environment, Top of the World has also implemented a peer mentoring program in which 33 students work on problem-solving skills and pass them on to other students.

Peer mentors wear special T-shirts so they can be identified by other students.

“This is about children being empowered. Children listen to other children more than they do adults,” Parsons said.

20060120itb7bcncDON LEACH / COASTLINE PILOT(LA)Students at Top of the World Elementary School in Laguna Beach give a presentation in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.