School Assembly Event Queries...

I agree that bullying is a problem that needs to be addressed repeatedly. The loss of self esteem can be like the loss of a limb for some children.

Dear J. - I hope you can share about my son. He was a wonderful kid. Loved life. Cared deeply about people. He wanted to learn how to fly, possibly to be a missionary. He was thinking of joining the Air Force. He loved God. He loved his family. Skittles was his favorite candy. Red was his favorite color. He was homeschooled all his school years, worked at a Dime Store and was asked to be a manager. He loved working there and was very kind especially to the elderly. But, he learned of a game. The choking game. He "tried" it. His younger brother found him hanging, dead. Another brother cut him down. I and his dad gave him CPR. The EMT's tried. The hospital ER docs tried. He was gone to meet his Maker. We were devestated. At first we thought it was suicide, but later learned from the police and the corornor that it was the "Choking Game". I've made a lot of new friends since his death - other moms who have lost their sons and daughters the same way.

Kids don't think THEY will die. The "choking game" seems harmless - it's not drugs - it won't hurt anyone else. They get some kind of rush when they come to. There are many names to this game, such as the "Passout Game", to "Breath Play" and many others. It's been "played" for many years, but now more are doing it - more are dying. Just recently the CDC (Center for Disease Control) is now taking official count of deaths to this. This game makes the headlines - when it's too late - when another child dies.

PLEASE share on the dangers of this game. You can read about my son, Matthew, who is forever 16, at http://matthewsstory.com/ You are welcome to use his website or pictures in anyway.

Also visit this webpage which even give teaching tools and brochures to help you:

GASP - Games Adolescents Shouldn't Play
http://www.stop-the-choking-game.com/en/home.asp

As parents should talk to their children about sex, huffing, drugs, etc., this should be included. Kids know about it. They are doing it at home, in schools, on school busses, at parties, etc. Now it's time to address it and let them know it kills.

Thank you, and please feel free to e-mail me if you want additional information. ____@____.com

L.

I would like more respect taught. Treating other kids the way you want to be treated. Nobody is better than anyone else. We are all equal:-) Have a great time at the assembly!!

I think it is important to encourage them to stay in school. That an education will help them accomplish all there dreams securely. Especially after the recent announcement that only 24% of children in Detroit graduate from high school. Using the mind to do whatever it is they want to do, no matter what others think. That is a really great message.

I agree with the respect yourself, also messages that give kids confidence that they can be anything they want when they get big. Lastly, anti drug and smoking is also a important message.

It sounds like you are already on the right path of advice you are giving. The things that are most important to me for my child to know are:
1. It's okay to be who you are and too bad if people don't like you the way you are.
2. Kids should be comfortable in the own skin (like their body image).
3. Always be kind to others. Stand up to bullies, especially when they are bullying somebody else.
4. Don't be afraid to admit your religion.
5. Get involved in all the activities you can and have a good attitude and open mind.
6. It's great to be smart, don't be embarassed to get good grades (this is mostly for boys).
7. Show respect to adults (this is a major issue with todays children). We run a scout group and I'm amazed at the disrespect these boys show adults....when their parents are standing right there!!!

Thank you for your interest. I'm very proud of you. You are very young to be so knowledgable and want to inspire our children. Thank you!!!!!

In my daughters school (elem) the big problem is kids being mean.. so maybe something to do with the way they treat each other would be great.

I have a 9-year-old son. He was very sad when Blake Louis (sp?) didn't win on American Idol. One of his favorite things on his iPod is his Blake album. He loves beat-boxing and, I think, all music is good music for kids. It's very mathematical. My son plays piano...very well...and has started writing...he plays mostly classical things, but plays with other stuff. But I think that showing them something outside the box is awesome. I'm not sure if you're looking for words...but, by what you've written, it sounds like you've got the words already.

Hi J., bless your heart for using this opportunity to reach our future generation. I would tell them...
*there is a hero in all of them if they search inside their hearts.
*To look to God for strength.
*That there will be good days and bad days, and that they should be grateful for them all.
*That they shouldn't rely on people for their good, that they can withdraw all they need from Heaven.
*To always tell the truth, in a way they woul like to hear it.
*To always do their best, and never doubt that it was good enough.
*That the best things in life are not things, they are people.
*If their mind and life are to be in order, they MUST put God first.
*That no matter what they do, they will always be loved.
*To find something to appreciate about everyone and everything.
*That they should not be afraid to make a mistake, because,
mistakes when evaluated, make masters.
*That people may not always remember everything you do, but they will always remember how they do it.
*To be willing rather than wilful; to listen, rather than be the first to speak.
*To always strive to make people feel worthy and important for whatever they can contribute.
*To be open to correction.
*That the accumulation of material possesions is not the measure of success.
*To be able to laugh at themselfs, and to be trusted.
*That is okay to be vulnerable because you are innocent, and innocense is a gift from God.
*To follow their dreams, and never ever give up.
*Jer 29:11 says "for I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.
*That we are not put here for ourselfs, but for God, and until we realize that, life will never make sence.
*To always remember the people who helped them along the way.
*It is important to honor what they feel.
*To focus on one thing at a time. Enjoy it, taking the most pleasant memories into the next experience.
*That commitment, determination, endurance, patience, and faith are much more powerful than speed, force and physical strength.
*That the ommision of information is the same as a lie.
*To always remember how wonderfully made they are and that God sent his only son to die on a cross, because He loves us more than we can ever imagine. I got some of this advise from an article I keep on my refridgerator, Ther are so many more, but I believe you are on the right track, and your heart is where it needs to be. And if you pray for wisdom and knowledge
God will give you the words to reach these young ones. God bless you J., we need more of you in the world. C.

I think that endurance would also be a good subject. There are many people and kids mine included that think that just because things get a little rough they can quit without trying all options. My son joined band and he wanted to quit because he couldn't get the hang of reading music so his teacher helped him write the notes in the book and asked him to stick it out for another month and then he can quit if he is still not really interested in it anymore. We are waiting to see what comes of it, I told him you have to practice and work hard things don't come easy to people all the time sometimes you have to work a little harder for things you want. Good luck and thanks for being such a positive role model for kids.

Health issues maybe?
Here's one. Get a skill now when they're young. They don't have to know what they want to do for the rest of their lives, no, but get a skill that will work for them later. Get it now in their youth so that they can build up a financial life in the ensuing years so that at midlife, they aren't so far behind the game that no one will hire you. Personal experience. Even if they choose to be a stay at home parent, have something to fall back on. Don't think that depending on someone to financially support you forever is a fairy story come true. People need to feel useful, to know they have a brain and can use it. And life throws us a curve sometimes that leaves us in the lurch. We DON'T need a guy/girl to make our lives complete and ourselves happy. First find contentment with ourselves, then bring the friends in to share your life.
I think this is something definite kids miss these days.

Good luck.

I would like kids to hear that bullying is not O.K. I hear way to much of it and it scares me now more than ever since the bullied kids are now shooting up the schools. One women said to teach them to respect each other and that no one is better then the other. I agree and hope that someone, maybe you, can change todays kids. Good luck.

Dear J. B.,

I would like you to tell the kids in assemblies that it is perfectly O.K. to wait until marriage to have oral sex/sexual intercourse with same/opposite sex. There are just too many sexually transmitted diseases out there and the first time is often horrible according to what I read in newspapers and magazines. Waiting til marriage is best for many reasons and they won't have to worry about becoming pregnant/impregnating someone or contracting a sexually transmitted disease. Condoms don't protect from everything. I heard that people in the medical profession would not risk their health/safety to a condom and they see/hear all kinds of sexual things in their professions.

L. C.

I think that it is great that you are using your time to pass your love of music on to children, what a gift.
I think that you should continue to let the kids know that they can do whatever they set there hearts to, but that it will not just happen because they want it to. They have to put in the time a effert to develop these skills. My Daughter wanted to play guitar, I bought the guitar, took her to lessons, but when she realized that she would need to continue to practice she gave up. Engourage the kids to follo w their dreams.

Never stop striving for your dreams and being curious.

Images of stars are just that - IMAGES, they're not real.

I agree with the others, RESPECT yourself and others.

Bullying and hurting others through words and actions is not acceptable behavior. It does not make you a better person.

I think your message that you wrote about in your introduction is great. Kids need to know that we are all different and that is OK. Don't be swayed by your peers. My children go to a charter school and they have assembly every morning to learn about their monthly moral focus. I love that everyday they get a lesson on their moral values: bravery, encouragement, compassion, respect,integrity and perseverance. Every month a new moral value and new assemblies focused on that value.

J.; What you are doing is admirable, however, my concern is for the children to learn respect for each other and the differences each represents. Respect for their parents and for those persons in authority (their teachers, the police, etc.) seems to have become not "cool" and should be reintroduced somehow. As a grandmother, I am concerned about the incidences of crime coming from this young set, and the solution might just be in programs such as yours! Good luck...
J.

Hello J. B, My son is your age, and I have to say you remind me alot of him. You are very mature for your age. I like what you are doing in the community with the youth. The one thing that I could offer for a message to that age group, is that every other child in school feels insecure at times. Even the popular children aren't always as confedent as they seem. But that behaving with confindece helps them to feel more sure of them selfs. (You know the movie Anna and the King of Siam, whistle a happy tune when you are afraid.) Teach the kids to hold their heads up high, and believe in them selves.(Fake it till you make it!) If they can convince others that they are good at something then they will feel better about themselves. Teach them that asking questions to learn what they are unsure about is not a weakness, but a strength. I hope that this helps you out. My address is ____@____.com Keep in touch and let me know how this works out for you. S.