Starfish program at Butler Intermediate High School aims to end bullying
The Butler Intermediate High School Starfish program is an anti-bullying program that involves both students and teachers and works to create a kind environment that students can enjoy.
In 2001, then-principal James Allen introduced the Starfish program to the school. Originally started in Karns City, Denny Barger created the program and then shared his vision with his friend, Allen.
This program has made a big impact on Butler since its introduction, and still holds its place after 24 successful years. The program is hoped and expected to continue on to many upcoming generations at the intermediate high school.
Not only has Starfish made the school a place where kids want to come, but it also brings people together, in hopes to reduce bullying.
Starfish involves a core group of teachers who work to keep this program functioning and students involved. Together, they meet with student leaders and orchestrate various service activities, all aimed at encouraging kindness and acceptance in the school and community.
According to Sally Carlson, a seventh-grade history teacher, who not only serves as a Starfish adviser, but also participated as a student leader when she was in eighth grade, the program promotes the belief that everyone belongs and deserves to be treated fairly.
“It helps ensure all students feel welcomed and gives us a way to help students who may not feel that way,” she said.
She said that students who feel comfortable and welcome have better attendance and do better academically.
The Starfish program may be an anti-bullying initiative, but it is also a leadership-training program for the eighth-graders that serve as leaders each year.
In April of their seventh-grade year, students are nominated by their teachers for demonstrating kindness, respect and inclusion in school. Once they are nominated, the students take part in a summer training, where they participate in team-building activities to get to know one another and bond as a group, and they also talk about ways to make the school a better environment for everyone.
“On Aug. 12 this year, we will train over 90 new Starfish leaders, which is one of the largest groups we have ever had. It just goes to show you that our program is thriving, and students know the difference that it makes,” Dawnielle Minch, an eighth-grade English teacher, said.
This organization is managed between the teachers in multiple different ways. According to seventh-grade teacher Pamela Neely Aldridge, there are four core Starfish teachers that really keep it running.
“Then, we always invite other teachers to join in and help out,” she said.
Some activities that took place in the past year included: sixth grade Starfish day, open house, summer orientation, student of the month, peer mediation, canvas painting, bus driver and cafeteria worker appreciation day, and fifth grade move up days.
Starfish gives students a leadership role in a place where they need to succeed, Aldridge explained.
“It’s one of the first real leadership opportunities for kids,” she said.
Upcoming Starfish leaders were recently selected and sent invitations to the summer training by email, and the response has been overwhelming, teachers said.
Current Starfish leader Ada Cousins recommends that upcoming leaders jump into activities early.
“Making a quick jump into your required activities makes it easy and causes little to no stress. The teachers expect a lot, but it is all rewarding and fun,” she said.
The upcoming leaders have a big shoe to fill. Even just being nominated for the program is a huge honor, student leaders have said. They are tasked with being role models and representatives for the younger grades.
“I think Starfish is a community of people who want to stand for one goal, which is to prevent bullying,” leader Landon Slear said. “We want to promote kindness and love for everyone in the school.”
Ryder Pyle and Anaya are seventh-graders at in the Butler Area School District.
Taking Flight: An Eagle student journalism project
Taking Flight is a student journalism project conducted by the Butler Eagle to encourage responsible journalism and inspire more informed readers.
The project encourages students in seventh to 12th grade to write an article or review an event in the community or at their school. Articles were submitted for review and were edited by the Eagle staff.
The article is then published in an edition of SOAR, a student newspaper produced by the Butler Eagle in cooperation with area school districts, or in the newspaper itself.
