Kids & Family

Seneca Valley Students Kick Off the School Year—Bully Free

Elementary students participate in The NED Show and learn why a positive attitude is important in school—and in life.

For some, NED is just a name, but not at Seneca Valley’s elementary schools—at least not any more.

On Thursday, students in kindergarten through fourth grade at took part in The NED Show, a school assembly program that promotes positive attitudes, better behavior and academic achievement in schools.

In this case, NED stands for Never give up, Encourage others and Do your best.

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The students clapped and cheered as presenter Chad Adams performed tricks and got them laughing while emphasizing the importance of having a positive attitude, especially at school.

“Learning is fun,” he told the students. “It’s an awesome adventure.”

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Produced by All for KIDZ, The NED Show is performed in schools across the world. There is no cost for the program through its “pay it forward” option, which instead asks schools to make NED-messaged items available for a week following the show.

Adams also presented The NED Show at Evans City and Connoquenessing Valley elementary schools to kick off the district’s Olweus bullying prevention program.

“The kids get all excited,” said Jill Thomas, school counselor at Rowan and. “It brings the school community together and it makes the program really visible.”

While the subject matter varies depending on the age group, Thomas said each of Seneca Valley schools, including the high school and the middle school, also hold programs to kick off the Olweus bullying program at the start of the school year.

At Connoquenessing Valley Elementary, the school is building on its theme of Be a Hero—Bully-Free CVE by talking about super heroes, then transitioning to community heroes, including military parents, police, firefighters and EMS workers, according to school officials. The students also will focus on everyday heroes, including student heroes or heroes within the school community.

“The idea of heroes being people who help others will help students better understand the idea of bystanders standing up for people who need help,” a district statement said.

With the show over, Thomas said Rowan elementary students would meet Friday to talk about bullying—and how to prevent it.

“The school is a safe place for everyone,” she said.


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