The world in their hands

Holding up paper cut-outs of purple hands with red hearts embedded in the palms, students at Verdugo Woodlands Elementary School stood in front of their parents and guests to promote an end to abuse and violence.

The fourth-grade students’ presentation on Friday was in conjunction with the Second Step and Too Good for Drugs program that teaches students problem-solving skills and conflict resolution.

“We have several different curriculum programs that have to do with teaching students to find peaceful solutions to conflicts,” teacher Erin Atwater said.

Students took turns walking to the microphone and addressing the crowd of parents and fellow students about the symbolism of the colors red and purple.

Purple is the color used to honor victims and survivors of abuse and the purple hand represents people of all races, ethnicities or religions.

The red heart means hurt from words or actions.

The two colors combined teach students to stop and think before saying or doing anything hurtful to themselves or others.

“You shouldn’t criticize people and not hurt them with your hands,” Anshika Niraj, 10, said holding the purple cut-out of her hand print.

The assembly concluded with the singing of the pledge, “Hands and Words are Not for Hurting.”

The audience responded with cheers and applause at the end of the performance.

Eric Soltani knows to walk away if someone uses hurtful words.

“I learned that if you hurt somebody it will come back to you,” the 9-year-old said.

The district incorporated the Second Step and Too Good for Drugs programs into the curriculum as part of the character and ethics education.

Second Step is divided into three units.

Children learn empathy training, impulse control, problem solving and anger management.

Students also learn communication skills to deal with problems and conflicts.

“In the classroom, we learned how to do ‘I messages.’

“Like saying ‘I feel sad when you hurt me’ is an ‘I message,’” Courtney Sohn, 9, said.

Setting goals, making decisions and identifying emotions are some of the components students learn to use in the Too Good for Drugs program.

“Both programs include role playing,” Atwater said.