Students at committed to “spreading the nice” on Monday during an assembly which officially kicked off the new anti-bullying program in the school.
Creekside is the first school in Michigan that will run and author and creator Kristy Short, was on hand to introduce the program that works with visual reminders set up throughout the school.
“I picked Creekside because every time I come back, you all are so incredibly awesome,” Short told the crowd of students during the assembly. “I’ve seen you guys spread the nice, I’ve seen you guys work as a team, I hear the stories from your teachers.”
Short’s high-energy assembly that included a group dance number, worked to energize and motivate students to get excited to “spread the nice." The program also includes a reward system of bookmarks, stickers, and student ambassador positions that each child will work towards throughout the school year.
Operation Nice is a positive, educational approach, according to Creekside principal Lawrence Pumford, that is helping to change the culture’s mindset and teach children in a positive way.
“It teaches what it means to be nice,” Pumford said. “Because that’s what we want in this school. We want a nice, friendly environment where you’re happy to come to school.”
Not a huge fan of the overused word "tolerant" although I'm sure she means well. "permissive attitude toward those whose opinions, practices, race , religion , nationality, etc., differ" We are not called to be accepting of all behavior. Some behavior/belief systems are wrong. We are however called to exercise restraint and show respect. It is one thing to disagree with a position; it is quite another to disparage a person. This latest trend of forcing others to accept others behaviors and be in agreement is wrong. It is not hatefull to disagree. We need to focus on behavior and how we handle the disagreement but not force tolerance of others viewpoints.
A person intolerantly devoted to their own opinions is a bigot. Period.
Not a huge fan of people who use dictionary.com to define a word, then edit the definition to suit their purposes, although I'm sure you meant well. Following is my Webster's Collegiate Dictionary definition of tolerate (I'd give you tolerance but it just says to tolerate) Tolerate: "To bear without repugnance; to put up with; to suffer to be or to be practiced or done, without prohibition or hindrance . . ." There is more but it relates to medical and mechanical use of the word. I agree - we should not be accepting of all behavior. However you lost me when you lumped behavior and belief systems together. Who are you, or anyone for that matter, to judge which belief systems 'make the grade'? It IS fine to disagree with a position and it IS quite another to disparage a person. However, I believe you disparaged many folks with your statement "Some behavior/belief systems are wrong". Re-read my Webster's definition of tolerance, then, remember to NOT delete from dictionary.com's definition "freedom of bigotry". Then, maybe we can start a meaningful debate. Why shouldn't we tolerate other's belief systems? You have plenty of time with your own kids to mold them the way you feel is right.