The Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) committee and student club at Zachary Elementary School recently set about the task of coming up with a huge activity to do on anti-bullying day, when someone suggested the group concentrate on the phrase "Follow the golden rule," explains ZES teacher Leigh Griffin. "We just thought we might use it as a motto for the day and possibly do a skit."

So it was quite by accident that the suggestion turned into an original play and full-blown musical production that parallels The Wizard of Oz and The Wiz.

"As we were leaving the meeting, I began to sing 'follow the golden rule' in place of The Wizard of Oz's 'follow the yellow brick road,'" Griffin said.

Following the Golden Rule at ZES means to treat others the way you wish to be treated.

With that in mind, Griffin set out to write the school's first-ever PBIS play, which would eventually be performed by students whose behavior exhibits the school's behavior expectations.

Behavior and positive school climate are priorities at Zachary Elementary, said Stacey Hunt, ZES teacher. "Last year the staff and student body devoted much time to collaborating on the details of PBIS," Hunt said. "Part of the process included developing and teaching specific behavioral expectations to our students. These behaviors are positively reinforced throughout the school year."

Griffin said she is a huge fan of both musicals. "I knew most of all the lines from both movies by heart, so I didn't even need to watch them for reference," Griffin said.

Griffin says that in her play, Dorothy is bullied at school and runs home to her mother - Glenda the Good Witch - upset.

Glenda tries to console her daughter, but Dorothy falls asleep and wakes up in the Land of Gold.

Griffin said all the favorite characters are in her play as well - the munchkins, the tin man, lion and scarecrow, but instead of being in "The Land of Oz" the play takes place in the Land of Gold - as in the Golden Rule.

Some students who are not in the PBIS Club were recruited to be in the play to perform as the Munchkins.

"Our students rehearsed before and after school and memorized their lines for three months before performing for the entire student body, faculty, school board and family and friends," Griffin said. "It was a huge success."

The PBIS Club models the school's behavior expectations: ZES Mustangs Racing Towards Success with Success, Safety and Responsibility.

The cast from The Land of Gold includes:

Dorothy: Olivia Loftin

Mom/Glenda: Makenzie Hawthorne

Scarecrow: Lane White

Tin Man: Kaleb Cutrer

Lion: Joshua Wittig

The Wiz: Gray Petty

Wicked Witch, Wendy: Julia Schlorke

Munchkin on stage: Parker Goldsack

Narrators: Malia Washington and Tamia Patterson

Props/Sound effects: Kenson Tate

Munchkin cheerleaders:

Alyssa Adams, Amaya Adams, Taylor Addison, Audrey Albert, Jadakiss Beardon, Abigail Bridges, Emma Brunson, Paige Buckley, Jenna Burke, Alex Crumholt, Ashlynn Davis, TaNiya Davis, Megan Dousay, Kaitlyn Dugas, Shelly Easlye, Abbi Freeman, Alyssa Gomila, Bailey Guercio, Morgan Hayes, Kennidi Hilton, Kali Howard, Jazzy Johnson, Sophia Lowe, Alexis May, Emily McEachern, LeNay Mealey, Claire Milazzo, Shelby Miller, Ashlynn Montelaro, Lata'ja Morrison, Jules Patin, McKenzie Roberson, A'Layna Roberts, Alex Sanford, Kate Sullivan, Jakenzie Thymes, Macie Turner, Morgan Veal, Ainsley Verdun, Ashlynn Wilson, Dominique Wittig and Abby Yoes.