Goss hosts 'Beads on One String' to prevent bullying and foster kindness in children
Nearly 300 Watertown second-graders filled the seats at the Goss Opera House to sing along with musician and singer-storyteller Dennis Warner on Tuesday.
Warner introduced the students to his children’s book “Beads on One String,” a story about human connectedness around the world that is told to help foster positive behavior and kindness and to prevent bullying.
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Some of Warner’s storytelling brings to light what it feels like to be bullied and how bullies often target others because of their differences. One of those stories was from his past while he was a student in elementary school and a classmate struck him unprovoked.
“He said that he hit me because I was the tallest kid in the class, and he wanted to see how tough I was,” said Warner.
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“Beads on One String” explains through song and illustration that everyone has differences. But people also have a lot of similarities and, together, can make a community.
Creating curriculum for acceptance
Warner has released 11 folk song albums, won several artist awards and performed in concert at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. In 2020, he was featured on the PBS TV show “Backroads.”
His success as a singer-songwriter caught the interest of South Dakota State University Education Director Pat Heine in 2004. During this time, it was common for bully prevention to be part of middle and high school curriculums. But Heine, Warner and teacher Jill Halberg wanted to bring those teachings to students while they were still in elementary school.
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The trio got to work creating a curriculum for elementary schools that would help “plant the seeds of peace” through the Beads on One String Project. The project engages students through their love of music and art while emphasizing positive behavior and interactions with others. And the Goss wanted to bring the uplifting message to Watertown.
Bringing the arts to area youth
For several months, staff at the Goss had been working with the South Dakota Arts Council to bring Warner to Watertown. The arts council, Watertown Kiwanis and the Fraternal Order of Police helped fund the event. And just in time as September is Mental Health Awareness Month.
“Every classroom was given a copy of the book, and one was given to the school’s music department along with an MP3 download of the song,” said event coordinator Kathryn Jurrens.
Jurrens hopes the event is just the start of enriching the lives of young community members through the arts. She is seeking a grant to help fund additional free events at the Goss for Watertown area youth to interact with and learn from.
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Each of the students received a wooden bead that they decorated to help express their individuality. The beads will be strung together and displayed at the Goss for the rest of the month.
This article originally appeared on Watertown Public Opinion: Watertown 2nd graders sing-along to "Beads on One String" at the Goss
