This is a Joke - Making Fun of Others is Not! program

Due to the high demand for this program, it is now booked through June 2013. Scheduling for the fall of 2013 is now taking place.

When the Allegheny County Bar Association created the "This is a Joke – Making Fun of Others is Not!" Program, it was considered just a good idea to teach children the difference between a good joke and a bad one and why making fun of others is wrong. Thanks to our many lawyer volunteers who have taken this program to schools throughout Allegheny County, that good idea has turned into a popular award-winning program.

Other bar associations and organizations across the country are now borrowing this program, so the key points of our program are spreading beyond Allegheny County.

You don'’t have to have children or work with them to know that many kids make fun of each other. Often feelings are hurt, but even worse, the teasing and fun could develop into insensitivity toward others who are of a different race, religion, nationality, etc. As you know, addressing these issues as early as possible is important.

That’'s why we have put together this 45 minute interactive and fun program for students in grades K-5 to deal with the serious subjects of diversity and why making fun of others is wrong.

While the students enjoy sharing their favorite jokes during this seminar, they take special interest in the stories our lawyer volunteers share with them - stories of when they were made fun of as a child or when they made fun of others.

To find out more information about this popular program or get a brochure, e-mail Tom Loftus at tloftus@acba.org.

"That is No Joke!" children's book is free to the public. Click here.

Pittsburgh Post Gazette features "This is a Joke - Making fun of Others is Not!" program.

For some of our favorite jokes collected at our programs, click here.

To find out what the students are saying, click here.