Middle School stands up to bullies

Published 1:59 pm Monday, March 24, 2014

By Joe Smillie

Forum Editor

As part of the Quillayute Valley School District’s new “Olweus” (pronounce O-Vay-Us) anti-bullying program, the more than 240 students of Forks Middle School gathered together to spell “Stop Bullying” with their bodies on the high school football field last Wednesday, Oct. 16.

Sandy Heinrich, coordinator of the Quillayute Valley Readiness to Learn program, said students were excited to make the first human sign in Forks Middle School history.

The bullying prevention program is funded by a grant from Clallam County Prevention Works! Programs are being taught in grades K-12.

Heinrich said it is the first comprehensive bullying prevention program being taught on the North Olympic Peninsula and is being held as a possible model for other schools to use.

Prior to forming the human sign, the students held an assembly in the middle school gymnasium that included staff performances of “We Are Family” and “Lean On Me.” Students then performed skits and held a dance party.