Schools Across The Nation Take A Stand Against Bullying
From on the field to in the classroom, schools around the nation are fighting bullying one campaign and program at a time.
These efforts were visible on Wednesday for PACER’s Unity Day—the National Bullying Prevention Center encouraged schools and communities to wear orange to show that they care about “safe and supportive” environments.
Los Angeles Unified School District teamed up with OUT for Safe Schools and Project SPIN to “blow the whistle” on bullying of LGBT athletes.
SEE ALSO: Cyberbullying: L.A. Schools Work To End Student Harassment
The award for most creative anti-bullying effort goes to New Jersey’s Gateway Regional High School Marching Band. Their eight-minute halftime show “Dis” addresses bullying in four movements: Disappointment, Disillusion, Discussion and Discovery, each section going through a different part of the school day.
When PACER found out about the show, an ambassador gave the entire band orange ribbons to wear for Unity Day.
Other schools are getting funding help to deal with bullying.
The Pasadena Unified School District announced last week that they will receive $2.1 million in anti-bullying grants. PUSD also set up a service where students, parents and staffers can report bullying incidents by texting “tip PUSD” to 888777.
SEE ALSO: Bullying Triples Suicide Risk
According to Adam Wolfson, PUSD’s director of communications and community engagement, the grants will go to prevention programs throughout the school system. The goals, Wolfson said, are to have early prevention and to allow students to feel safer at school, because “when they feel safer they’re more willing to speak up.”
Wolfson said the texting service, which was rolled out in a few schools last year, was created to acknowledge the digital age.
“Kids feel a lot more comfortable sending a text message rather than making a phone call or writing something,” Wolfson said.
Although the service only resulted in a few tips during its trial period, Wolfson said he thinks students, teachers, and parents are happy that people have the option to report via text. He also clarified that anyone could potentially use the texting service.
“This is for kids who are being bullied, but just as often it’s for kids who are witnessing bullying,” Wolfson said.
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