Peer Relations &
Violence Prevention Program


USA TODAY SURVEY
"TOP TEEN CONCERN: SCHOOL VIOLENCE"


MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL PRESENTATIONS
-FULL DAY PROGRAM STRUCTURE-
-ALL-STUDENT ASSEMBLY-
-FOLLOW-UP CLASSROOM ENGAGEMENTS-
-STATE-OF-THE-ART ILLUSIONS-


** NEW - ELEMENTARY LEVEL PROGRAM - NEW **
-Full day, Individual Grade Presentations-
* Integrate MEAP's "Democratic Core Values" *
(scroll down for more details)











PRESENTATION CONTENT

MIDD/HS ASSEMBLY PROGRAM CONTENT:

* Defining "Power" - How its Abused Among Students
* "Violence" - Its Broad Scope and Progression (early-on behaviors)
* Difference between Conflict and Violence
* "Bullying" - Self-Deteriorating Characteristics
* Recognizing "Warning signs" of Abusive Dating Relationships
* Primary Responses in Dealing with Conflict
* Cliques & Acceptance
* Progressive Nature of Anger and Hate
* The Media's Primary "LIE"

FOLLOW-UP CLASSROOM CONTENT
* Understanding the Progression of Negative Feelings
* Predicatable Consequences of Not Dealing with Negative Feelings
* Responding to "Bullying" Behavior
* Proven Steps in Conflict Resolution
* Understanding the Elements of a Healthy Self-Concept

ELEMENTARY PRESENTATIONS - SMALL GROUP/CLASSROOM:

* Personal Power: How to Use and How it can be Abused
* The Difference Between Conflict and Violence
* "Hurting" is more than hitting - facial expressions/gestures/words
* Understanding why the "Bully" is Not the Most Powerful Person
* Learning how "Cliques" can Hurt us and Friends
* The Power of the "Bystander"
* Choices: Bullying (aggressive) / Whimp (passive) / Respectful (assertive)
* Learning to Accept Differences in Ourselves & Others - Team Spirit
* Understanding how Teasing and "Picking on Others" can Hurt Us
* The Three Most Powerful Words: "I Am Sorry"

** Michigan Elementary Schools -- New for 2002! **
Prepare for the MEAP by including the "Democratic Core Values" in your student presentation,
reinforcing the topics of Diversity, Justice, Patroitism, and more.
(See Lawton Elementary's comments below.)








(Photo Credit: C.Gatewood, Maplevalley School)

WHAT DO PRINCIPALS/COUNSELORS SAY?

Please feel free to read the recommendations below.
If you are looking for an educational presentation that addresses the content listed above,
and creates responses from principals and counselors like those below,
then please contact us today to dicuss how we can assist your students in the near future.



Portage Middle School (Kalamazoo), Susan Davidson, Asst Principal
"Thank you sooooooo much...! YOUR ALL-SCHOOL ASSEMBLY WAS GREAT! Students are still talking about it. Being your 'host' for the day allowed me to witness your impact on the entire student body. I'm still having conversations with STUDENTS WHO WERE BOTH AMAZED AND IMPACTED by your illustrations. Your classroom sessions certainly HAD A POSITIVE EFFECT on the students...you TOUCHED 190 STUDENTS INDIVIDUALLY in the small groups. Thank you for spending the time and talent it takes to deliver THIS IMPORTANT MESSAGE to our kids."


Maple Valley/Nashville Jr/Sr High, Todd Gonser, Principal
"I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND "Mr. Jim" to anyone who is looking for a fun, high quality program, for today's youth learning how to discuss and deal with violence. Students were very excited and glued to the performance...a nice job of discussing issues that sometimes are hard for our youth today to talk about. Students received A VERY IMPORTANT MESSAGE and had fun learning about it."


Mishawaka - J.Young Middle School (S.Bend), Jan MacLean, Principal
"Thank you for your message about the damaging influence of violence and drugs in one's life. Our students have for the second year in a row, been entertained, amused, and amazed, as they learn from your stories and 'magic.' You have an excellent approach that immediately gains their trust, rapport and willingness to participate WITH you in presenting your message. I look forward to future associations with you!"


Three Rivers Community High (Huss), Judi Matusik, Dean of Students
"The magic was wonderful, but YOUR MESSAGES on anti-violence were SUPERB! You had them... [you were] someone who understood them and someone they could trust! Most people view our students as "tuff kids"...but they are still just kids. It is people like you who make a difference."


New Prarie Jr High (Ind), Jim Dermody, Principal
"Thank you for the EXCELLENT PROGRAM...and OUTSTANDING ILLUSIONS which riveted the audience to your message! The topic was timely and your presentation made a SIGNIFICANT IMPACT. Cliques, bullies, abusive relationships, and responses to aggression are real issues our students face every day. You successfully touched our school in a MEANINGFUL and ENJOYABLE manner. Our students accepted your approach because your message is sincere and innovative. Thank you again!"



"It's rather shocking when your ring vanishes before your eyes!"
*Note how far a jaw can drop!
(Photo Credit: C.Gatewood, Maplevalley School)



Olivet High School (Battle Creek), Dave Campbell, Principal
"Your message about power is a good one, as well as levels of ABUSE in relationships. Helping students identify potential WARNING SIGNS in relationship is critical for teens today. You pointed out the progressive nature [of violence]... CLIQUES lead to PREJUDICE, which can lead to HATRED, which can lead to VIOLENCE...an important message for students and staff alike."


Thornapple Kellogg Middle School (Barry County), Michael Spahr, Principal
"I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND Jim's program. Our 700 students were spellbound for the entire program...in the "palm of his hand". He cleverly wound his tricks around his message of anti-violence. The mix was perfect. Kids and staff alike eagerly participated and were delighted. The classroom sessions were equally beneficial. Jim's manner is very welcoming and thought provoking, which is especially advantagious for the pre-adolescent student...thereby, LEARNING."


Paw Paw High, Steven Daoust, Principal
"I would like to take this opportunity to COMMEND YOU on your performance...our students were both entertained and EDUCATED. I heard many positive comments from the students afterwards. I liked the way that you incorporated a message about abuse and violence into your magic. They are TIMELY TOPICS...Again, thanks for your efforts to help make society a better place."


South Bend - Edison Middle, Richard (Sam) Schweizer, Principal
"Our students and staff have enjoyed your magic and messages directed at violence and drugs over the past couple years. We thank you for all you have done for our school and community agencies and look forward to working with you in the future. We also look forward to the LISTEN materials. They will provide follow-up and an opportunity for our teachers to address important issues in their classroom."


Portage North Middle, Mary Lou Wright, Principal
"We had the opportunity to view Mr. Jim's assembly on CONFLICT RESOLUTION and Substance Abuse. The students came back from the assembly ANXIOUS TO DISCUSS EXAMPLES that he presented to them, which meant that not only were they listening well, but also that his MATERIAL WAS RELEVANT to them. The discussions became A SPRINGBOARD TO SHARE their feelings."



"Mr.Principal, let me explain how a lil itsy bitsy guillotine works..."
(Photo Credit: C.Gatewood, Maplevalley School)

"...did I fail to mention the larger guillotine?!?!"
(Photo Credit: C.Gatewood, Maplevalley School)



Hastings Middle School, Mark Martin, Asst Principal
"'Mr. Jim's' MESSAGE IS RELEVENT AND TIMELY to today's kids. I RECOMMEND "MR. JIM" to anyone seeking a qualified individual to present on this topic. His use of magic to convey his message was VERY WELL RECEIVED...he involved students, teachers, and myself! He held their attention...a tall order for anyone working with middle schoolers. One particularly impressive aspect was his follow-up classroom presentations [which] enabled him to reinforce his message, while working in a smaller, more personalized environment."


Three Rivers High School, Roger Rathburn, Principal
"It is always a pleasure to have "Mr. Jim" as our guest. He has the unique ability to combine important messages with entertainment. His programs are an EXCELLENT WAY TO REACH students about violence, self esteem and drug prevention. Students, faculty and administration always benefit from his presentations. Not surprising, his program has helped create a more appropriate climate and atmosphere in the high school. I look forward to hosting him again!"


Marcellus Middle School, Randy Button, Counselor MSW
"I am sure that violence and conflict resolution have to be on the minds of every school adminis trator. Your magic not only entertains, but captivates the students attention. THEY CAN HEAR THE MESSAGE of the DESTRUCTIVE ROLE VIOLENCE TAKES at school, home, and in the media, while addressing their need for individual responsibility. Anger, like your guillotine, is nothing we should lose our heads over! It was particularly appropriate that you were able to follow up with students in their Quest classes. I look forward to having you back for fifth and sixth grade."


Lawrence Jr./Sr. High School, John Overley, Principal
"I would like to thank you for the performance. Out STUDENT BODY WAS VERY IMPRESSED. Your delivery kept the students ATTENTIVE AND ENGAGED. You also provided them with a very important message concerning anti-violence. Your magical presentation provides a medium that allows a powerful message to be conveyed in a "NON-PREACHING" WAY. Thank you for your commitment to help young people handle some very critical issues...Your efforts help us in our endeavor."


De Pere Middle (Green Bay), Liz Pierce, Counselor
"Thank you for your message on self-esteem. STUDENTS WERE EMPOWERED in front of their peers during the assembly, while IMPACTED WITH YOUR INTERACTIVE APPROACH in the classrooms. We appreciate your efforts in addressing the well being of our students with your innovative approach."






ELEMENTARY SCHOOL RECOMMENDATIONS

School Violence Hits Lower Grades - USATODAY (Jan., '03)
"Elementary school principals ['state and local statistics'] and safety experts say
they're seeing more violence and aggression than ever among their youngest students,
pointing to what they see as an alarming rise in assaults and threats to classmates and teachers....
the percentage of elementary school teachers who said they were attacked rose."



Lawton Elementary (MI), Chris Rice, Principal
"I can honestly say that none, of the many presenters and assemblies we've had, had more of an impact on our students than yours. The combination of magic, humor, and positive messages made for a very worthwhile event for our students.
Thank you for including the Core Democratic Values. This was an especially effective way for us to lead into the Social Studies MEAP test. The program you created for us supported these values, and subsequently our student's readiness for the 5th Grade Social Studies MEAP Test. I would recommend this program for any school that would like to supplement their curriculum in this area.


Urbandale Elementary (Battle Creek, MI), Jill Spencer, Principal
Thank you for the TREMENDOUS program! You had the children CAPTIVATED and were INGENIOUS when it came to weaving theMEAP's Core Democratic Values into your presentation. We would love to have you return to our school [for a fourth time!]."


Angling Rd. Elementary (Portage [Kalamazoo], MI), Karen Witvoet, Principal
We appreciated your exciting presentation on LIFESKILLS and how to best get along with each other in our classrooms, cafeteria, playground, and school community. The students are still talking about the assemblies, and MEANINGFUL conversations evolved with students. Thank you for focusing on the Core Democratic Values as we work together to bring that to students' everyday experiences. We value the time you spent here [again].


Sam Adams Elem. (Cassopolis, MI), Maria Jones, School S.W.
Thank you for the WONDERFUL presentations! While you gave the students good advice and information on "Peer Relations," the staff appreciated the tie to the MEAP's "Core Democratic Values."


Lee Elementary (Barry County), Jerry L. Mueller, Principal
"I wanted to thank you for the EXCITING and MEANINGFUL day...Your message on respect and peer relations was a PERFECT COMPLIMENT to our Character Education program. Parents and students have spoken praises of both your talent...and more important THE IMPACT of the message. This is the third year I have been able to work with you [1st year--Drug Free Living / 2nd year--Juggling for Success]. Again, thank you for the difference you made for our kids."


Southeastern Elementary School, Susan K. Linacre, Principal
"We certainly enjoyed the magic, but, more importantly, the STUDENTS BENEFITED from your message about respect and NON-VIOLENT CONFRONTATION. It was a wonderful LEARNING EXPERIENCE for our STUDENTS AND PARENTS. Small groups made the message very PERSONAL...but close to 200 people in the audience that night! I appreciate that the message that went home was one of respect and the development of relationships. Thank you!"


Galesburg-Augusta Community Schools, Cindy Whittingham-Neill, Counselor
"Thank you for the EXCELLENT PRESENTATION you gave our fourth and fifth grade classes in December. The children were surveyed, and it was clear that they understood the message...the need to show respect to oneself and others. Over 80% of the students felt that the kids in our school need to learn more about showing respect to each other. This was a good first step. The addition of this program has heightened the students' interest and attention to the messages we are trying to convey. We would like to schedule another presentation in the Fall."


Woodland Elementary (Ionia County), Dan Wallace, Principal
"School assemblies come and go, but our day with you left a message with students that will last in the memories for a lifetime. Your peer relationship message was EXCELLENT...Students were amazed and interested in the message. We are sincerely appreciative of you and the opportunity to view this super program and I ENTHUSIASTICALLY RECOMMEND "Mr. Jim"."


Northeastern Elementary (Hastings), Mary Youngs, Principal
"Thank you so very much for the wonderful program! Your unique presentation of magic combined with a POSITIVE MESSAGE highlighting RESPECT, PEER RELATIONS, and NON-VIOLENCE captivated both staff and students. The student's enthusiasm definitely went home with them as your evening program for school families was well attended and well received. We look forward to your next visit."


Star Elementary School, Jo Stebbins, Principal
"The MESSAGE WAS STRONG, the DELIVERY EXCELLENT! It is so important for children to understand that respect and RESPONSIBILITY FOR BEHAVIOR are skills needed in life! Thank you!"


Lawrence Elementary School (Van Buren County) (Ms. Perkin's Kindergarten Class)
"We learned the magic words 'I'm Sorry.' We learned to always be nice. We learned it's important to work as a team. We learned it's okay to be different. We learned we should show respect for our friends. We learned not to tease dogs or people. We learned to use The Power to do stuff right. Our Favorite magic trick was when Ms. Perkin's money disappeared!"



(G/A Inter School -- The bully wants your pizza!)
("Is it smart to be a bully or whimp?" "NO, Mr.Jim!")
("The teacher's money disappeared! Will she CHOOSE to be a bully, whimp, or treat the conflict with RESPECT?...she chose respect! :)



MORE PICS...


(Photo Credit: Paul Garrod, Paw Paw Press)
(Photo Credit: C.Gatewood, Maplevalley School)
(Photo Credit: Paul Garrod, Paw Paw Press)




THREE RIVERS COMMERCIAL-NEWS (Article, 9/24/99)

Blending a critical message concerning peer relations and violence prevention with magic,
prevention speaker "Mr. Jim" Merrills of Experience the Magic in Marcellus is able to
captivate students while conveying an important message.
Merrills was invited to bring his message to students at Three Rivers middle and high
schools as well as Huss Academy earlier this month.
He is a national school-based speaker who specializes in drug abuse prevention. Because
of the relationship between drugs and violence, Merrills has developed a program which
addresses the subject of violence.
"Substance abuse and violence are often dependent upon each other. And either one can
trigger the other," he said.
The assembly and classroom subjects he addresses include various types of violence, abuse
of individual power, abusive relationships, appropriate responses to negative situations,
tolerance and acceptance of others, undesirable feelings and anger, the roots of a healthy
self-concept and more.
Blending his message with magic captivates his audiences. He also asks for the assistance
of students and staff which better serves to convey the message.
But Merrills' show is more than just entertainment. The magical illusions serve to introduce
and highlight specific points.
"The magic also serves as a medium," he said. "Like any of us, students are far more likely
to remember significant points when they have been linked to a visual aid."
Merrills said the program content includes...defining what violence is. He said most people
assume violence has occurred after someone has been physically hurt, but there are a number
of forms of violence including the use of mean gestures or words, or the destruction of
[personal] property.
"I want the students to understand that violence is progressive [like alcoholism]," he said,
adding that by alerting students to this progression will hopefully help them to recognize
and stop violence.
On the subject of violence and conflict, Merrills informs students that conflict is natural
in marriage, a dating relationship and among friends, but conflict does not mean resorting
to violence.
When in a conflict situation, he tells his audiences that there are three options--aggressive,
passive, or assertive--the latter being the best of the three. He teaches the importance of
acceptance and tolerance of others which is especially relevant during the middle and high
school years.
"The key words here are acceptance and tolerance of others," he said. Merrills also hits on
the subject of bullies. He informs students that bullies need to pick on a person who is
smaller and weaker than they are, but the bully is actually "the whimp in school" and that
is why he or she picks on someone who is smaller.
Also, Merrills points out that a student who begins bullying in middle school often carries
this to high school and then out of high school. Statistics, he said, show that bullies have
a higher rate of incarceration.
The problem with a bully, Merrills said, is he or she has trouble forming and maintaining
friendships which actually makes him or her the weak one.
Another important topic Merrills deals with is abusive dating relationships. One in four high
school girls will experience violence in a dating relationship before graduation, he tells
his audiences. To make students aware of this possibility he also presents warning signs
which usually lead up to an abusive relationship.
Merrills has been presenting drug abuse prevention programs nationally for nearly a
decade and just recently added the program on violence prevention at the request of school
administrators. The focus, he said, is on violence and student relationships. He advocates
prevention by using the assistance of others such as the school and community counselors to
work out problems.
After the assembly, Merrills spends the remainder of the day in classrooms where he is able
to facilitate one-on-one discussions with smaller groups of students.
Merrills' often assist schools and districts by seeking sponsors for his program presentions.
These often include counseling clinics and hospitals, or other community businesses,
primarily in Michigan, Indiana and Wisconsin.
Locally, Chris Khoury, owner of Big Boy restaurants in Three Rivers and Paw Paw has taken on
the responsibility of providing funding for the program over the last three years. He stepped
forward and became the sponsor for Three Rivers and the outlying communities as well as for
Paw Paw and its outlying areas...
"It's not very often that you have a business that steps forward and says let's do this," he
said, adding that what Khoury has done has opened the door for other businesses in numerous
counties to step to the plate and start doing the same thing, realizing that as local
businesses they can do something significant for the youth in their community.
As a parent and business owner, Khoury is a strong supporter of Merrills' program. "It's
something I feel strongly about. As a father of two children [violence] is something
that's becoming more dominant in the community," he said. Khoury said he felt it is time to
tackle the issue of violence as well as drug abuse prevention and Merrills' program was a
great place to start.









The following is a sample list of businesses or counseling programs that have sponsored our violence programs
in school districts or county wide.


APPLEBEES RESTAURANT
N. Indiana (South Bend, Fort Wayne, Indianapolis)

ANTIQUE KITCHEN RESTAURANT
Portage, MI

BARRY COUNTY SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES
Hastings, Delton, Middleville & Nashville MI

BIG BOY'S RESTAURANT
Three Rivers, MI & St. Joseph County schools
Paw Paw, MI & Van Buren County schools
Hastings, MI & Barry County schools

CHILI'S RESTAURANT
Kalamazoo county, MI
Calhoun county, MI

CARMART
Schoolcraft / Vicksburg, MI

CHILD GUIDANCE CLINIC
Kalamazoo county, MI

GATEWAY COUNSELING SERVICES
Berrien/Calhoun/Van Buren Counties, MI

GRAMES TIRE
Marcellus, MI

LANPHEAR TOOL WORKS
Lawrence, MI

MADISON CENTER & HOSPITAL
S.Bend, Elkhart, Mishawauka, IN

DR. KRAUSE, D.D.S. - Dentistry
Kalamazoo Middle Schools

PUTNAM CONSTRUCTION
Lawton, MI

SNAP ON TOOLS
Galesburg, MI

WHEAT AUTO BODY
Three Rivers, MI






 


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Last updated July, 2002
Copyright 1999 Email: magic@mr-jim.com