‘Peace Signs’ addresses bullying at Fresno elementary school

A touring theater production from Kaiser Permanente that addressed bullying and domestic violence was received with loads of enthusiasm from students at Del Mar Elementary School in central Fresno on Monday.

The fun and sometimes heart-wrenching production, “Peace Signs,” gave around 300 third- through sixth-graders intimate glimpses into the lives of the bullied and bullies alike.

One actor portrayed a bully with a physically abusive father, and one actress – Clovis West High School graduate Derricka Smith – portrayed a grieving girl who was bullied and whose brother was killed in a shooting.

The free educational theater program has been touring since August throughout the Central Valley and Bay Area. Del Mar students have the opportunity to see the show again at the school from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday if they bring an adult. Free dinner and T-shirts will be provided.

“Peace Signs” portrayed five young students and one of their teachers, who worked to help the children resolve conflicts with each other, and in one instance, encouraged a student to ask for help regarding domestic violence at home.

The play’s core message: “Stop and think before you act, make a positive impact.”

Near the end of the play, “Alex,” played by Daniel Quezada, further cemented that idea: “The power is in your hands to fight or make peace.”

Del Mar students Monica Rocha and Jakob Ybarra, both 11, called the performance “informational and inspirational.”

“It teaches you to use things to help you through your tough times,” Jakob said.

The traveling troupe, based out of Oakland, also was holding conflict resolution workshops in Del Mar classes Tuesday and Wednesday.

During the play, “Mr. H,” played by Galen Brown, asked students in the audience to raise a hand if they ever had been called a mean name, or called someone else a name. Nearly everyone raised a hand.

Principal Nicole Woods said staff has seen fewer instances of bullying at Del Mar in recent years since bullying prevention curriculum has been incorporated into classrooms, but that “there is still a lot of work to be done.”

Woods requested that “Peace Signs” troupe make a stop at Del Mar during their 2015-16 school year tour. Kaiser has had touring educational shows for children for around 25 years.

“I’m just really appreciative of Kaiser Permanente for doing this sort of free public service,” Woods said. “It’s going to make an impact on our students, on our families, too.”

This story was originally published April 4, 2016 at 8:20 PM with the headline "‘Peace Signs’ addresses bullying at Fresno elementary school."