The new school year is now here and I would like to take this time to reach out to both students and parents about the importance of making a new friend.
When I first moved to Wyoming, I was scared to make new changes in my life. I wanted to know if people would be kind to me or not. Then I discovered how kind and friendly the people in the Platte Valley are.
Every morning when I go to work, some stranger would say good morning to me. Whenever I go shopping some people would say hello to me and ask me how I am doing. Some people would walk up to me and introduce themselves to me.
This kind of kindness makes me proud to live in Saratoga and I am grateful I live in a great community that sets a good example of giving kindness. To the students of Carbon County School District No. 2, I encourage you to continue those same examples of kindness that the people of Platte Valley set in front of you.
I also encourage parents to tell their children why it is important to make a new friend. It could be a boy or a girl who is new in town and does not know who to trust. Show a new kid you can be trusted and build a friendship.
School children are much more likely to become friends with classmates they sit next to rather than other children in the class, a study funded by the National Institutes of Health suggests. The results imply that, by assigning seats, teachers have a disproportionate influence on the friendships their students form.
Students should also be encouraged to not only make friends with kids in their classroom but also make friends with kids in other classrooms. If students can reach out to other kids it can and will reduce the chances of someone being a bully.
According to KQED Public Radio, Jaana Juvonen, a psychology professor at UCLA said Students with no friends receive lower grades and are less academically engaged compared to those with even just one friend. This is why making new friends matters.
There are kids in school who feel alone and it is up to someone to reach out to those who need a friend. It's better to be a friend than make another person feel like they are an outcast.
Here is some advice I would like to give to the CCSD No.2 students on how they can make new friends.
Never Be Afraid To Say Hello To Someone
A simple hello can do a lot of things. It helps a person understand there is hope for humanity. A simple act of kindness can help change someone's life and lift their spirits up. Always remember how you meet your friends and carry it on to the next new friend.
Introduce Your New Friend To Your Other Friends
Whenever you make a new friend, always introduce them to your other friends. It's a good way to get your new friend to know other people. This will help your new friend feel confident and be more comfortable around other people.
Be A Study Buddy
If you know a student in your classroom who is struggling on an academic subject. Introduce yourself and offer your assistance and guidance in the subject you know. Speak with your teacher or principal that you would like to offer help to any student who is struggling in their academics.
Stand Up To Bullies Do Not Let Them Get Away With Hurting Students
If you see a student being bullied, step in and tell that person to stop. Report any student who is committing inappropriate behavior to school administrators. Just do not be a bystander and act like nothing happened. Speak up to those who are afraid to speak for themselves.
Get Involved In Your Community
There are organizations that you can do volunteer work for such as the Special Olympics, Autism Speaks and the Boy & Girls Club just to name a few. Some kids come from different walks of life. Be the person who can make a difference to someone who is having trouble making friends. Imagine yourself being in the shoes of those who have been treated simply because they act differently or have a disability. Be the friend that can make someone feel good about themselves. Everyone deserves a friend.
Be a Big Brother or Big Sister To Someone Who Does Not Have One
I encourage all Platte Valley teens to be a big brother or big sister figure to the younger kids who do not have one. You can make a difference by being a mentor to a kid who may be struggling either in academics or just on an emotional level.
I hope that our youth will continue to set the example of kindness for many years to come. This is what makes Platte Valley a great community and it makes me proud not only to be a reporter for this amazing community but I am proud of the people who make me feel welcomed.
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