The Goddard School Kicks Off Anti-Bullying Week

Monday kicks off an approach to bully prevention with a week-long celebration that places key focus on the McMurray private preschool's FLEXTM learning program.

on East McMurray Road teaches curriculum focused on play-based learning, as well as friendship.

Monday through Friday, students will participate in learning activities that also focus on playing well with others and accepting each other's differences. 

"All 400 locations will participate in the second annual community games," said co-owner Lori Santo. She and her husband, Bob, own the franchise.

The school's director, Jennifer Mahoney, said the program reiterates the school's mission. 

"Monday, we're starting with a community flag," she said. "We're going to create it like a quilt—each classroom will decorate its own little piece. It'll hang in the school the entire week and at our closing ceremony on Friday."

Santo said the Peters location has approximately 180 students. It's one of three locations in the Pittsburgh area—the others are in Wexford and Cranberry.

According to Joe Schumacher, CEO of Goddard Systems, Inc., the success and enjoyment that preschool children experience through playful learning can help develop the self-confidence they need to prevent them from becoming victims of bullies or developing into bullies themselves.

"We make learning enjoyable and we build in lots of opportunity for each child to experience the satisfaction of success,” he said in a statement. “A key benefit of this approach to learning is its emphasis on building self-esteem and confidence as children try, and succeed at, new challenges. A confident child is much less likely to develop into a bully or to accept bullying from another child."

Mahoney agreed. 

"What we do here promotes anti-bullying," she said. "It's about positive interaction."

"And getting along," Santo added.

They said the school stays away from any negativity and focuses on working together. 

"There's no yelling," Mahoney said. "It's all about setting a good example.

A preview of the week-long Goddard Community Games through Feb. 11 includes:

• Monday: Friendship Day
• Tuesday: Play Along Day
• Wednesday: Goddard Good Deed Day
• Thursday: Goddard Cares Day
• Friday: Community Hero Day

For more information about The Goddard School in Peters, visit its website: http://www.goddardschool.com/Schools/Peters-Township-PA/schools.gspx.