Click the kids to go
back to the home page
The Raves
Making Violence Disappear
Comedian delivers violence prevention message at Susick.
By Jody Seefurth
The “ooh” and “aahs” that pealed through the gymnasium at Susick Elementary School on Sept. 17 described completely how well Doug Scheer was admired. Students’ accurate responses to Scheer’s questions completely demonstrated the effectiveness of his message.
Scheer, aka Les Trouble, P.I. (Problem Investigator), visited the Troy school to teach the students a lesson about violence prevention - a message he deemed necessary to combat negative images of violence in the school system. After three years of masquerading as Les Trouble, Scheer said the program has hit home with the children he performs for - so much so that the program, he said, is booked for 40 shows every month, reaching an estimated 20,000 students a month.
Not only does the program teach children how to avoid violent situations, it reaches children on a more personal level, teaching them to identify their feelings and use them in a constructive manner.
“There has been a strong demand (for this type of program) in the schools,” Scheer said. “They’re looking for a positive message. We’re teaching proper behavior and discipline.”The program at Susick, funded by the school’s Parent Teacher Organization, used illusions to captivate the children while teaching them problem-solving tactics. The steps provided by Scheer and his wife/assistant Heidi, are to
1) get the facts (listen), 2) tell how you feel (don’t blame), 3) brainstorm (think of solutions), and 4) negotiate (everybody wins).
“Some people you meet in school are like you and some are a lot different,” Scheer told the students. “You don’t have to be friends with everyone you meet, but you do have to get along.”Throughout the program, Scheer pulled members of his young audience to assist him with his variety of magic maneuvers. The audience participation fired up the students even more, as they were anxious to see their classmates at the hands of the talented Scheer. Despite a smattering of giggles, Scheer made it a priority to get his point across.
“Problems remind you that people are all the same,” he said. “You’re going to have those feelings - punching, kicking, screaming, calling names (when you’re mad with someone) - from time to time. The best thing to do is walk away. You all have the same feelings on the inside. Find out that feeling and use it to solve problems.
He suggested children tell each other how they feel when they’re mad at someone.
“If someone tells you they’re upset, you have to put yourself in their shoes,” Scheer said. “That means you understand how the person feels.”
And if there isn’t a problem between friends?
“Pay compliments,” he said. “The No. 1 thing is to get along with everybody else. Respect. Simply treating other people the way you want to be treated.”Scheer and his wife were well received by the students - one of the most rewarding parts of performing for Scheer.
“The kids’ eyes light up,” he said. “(I can see) the spark in them. So many kids are not from traditional homes. They don’t know what to identify with. (Through this program) I can see the wheels turning in their heads.”
Susick principal Ronald Bulgarelli said his students reacted beautifully to the program, and he would recommend it to other schools.
“It’s a great message,” he said. “They thoroughly enjoyed it. This builds self-esteem and teaches them how to problem-solve. It’s fun and educational.”
Need more information? Give us a call. There’s a school in your district that’s already seen these programs.
We’ll just let them brag for us.
