Stories
All Stories
Singing My Blues Away
Posted: 4/27/2015
This song by Alex Shier features middle school students and encourages them to think before you say something mean, because you never know what someone is going through.
By: Alex Shier
Permalink for Singing My Blues Away
Poems About Bullying
Posted: 4/23/2015
Help At Last
Unity is evident now
With community support against bullying
Schools join forces and persist against violence
Original videos great
Support the need
Help stir harassment reduction
Take the Pledge; Stand up and end mistreatment to all
Resources galore; Web search bully prevention
Petition Governor for aid
City backing
Shelter Me
All practice bully prevention
School protection commitment with youth and parent
Student wellbeing team that educates inclusion
Leaders inspire total respect
Value people
Shield yourself by sticking with friends
Postive self-talk for increase in confidence
Ignore the tyrant; say “whatever”; walk away
Get help from your peeps and adults
Power in Prayer
Approaches to keep others safe
“KIK” the mistreatment with always Keeping It Kind
Do not watch; refuse to join in the harassing
Speak out and stand up for victim
Support; get help
By: Dana
Permalink for Poems About Bullying
The Not Perfect Hat Club — Celebrating Each Child’s Unique Gifts
Posted: 4/10/2015
CritterKin’s “Not Perfect Hat Club” is an engaging, entertaining and delightfully playful way to teach kids that perfection is not an option. It grew out of CritterKin’s visits with elementary school students who repeatedly said negative things about themselves and their work. It was clear we needed to find a way to help the kids set their judgments aside and trust both themselves and the creative process.
In its first incarnation, the “Not Perfect Hat Club” was not a club at all, just a battered, green sun hat that Jena wore to class one day to make the kids laugh. When they asked why she was wearing it, she told them it was her “Not Perfect Hat” and asked them why it’s important to wear one. A lively discussion followed about what it means to be “Not Perfect,” in which the kids imagined and described their own “Not Perfect” hats.
The Not Perfect Hat Club has since grown into an illustrated CritterKin storybook, lesson guides and a variety of project based learning activities that encourage kids to throw perfection to the wind, trust themselves and explore their creativity.
$1 from every book CritterKin’s book sold will be donated to PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center.
By: Anonymous
Permalink for The Not Perfect Hat Club — Celebrating Each Child’s Unique Gifts
Raise Your Crown Against Bullying
Posted: 4/2/2015
My name is Olivia Pierce. I am 14 and in the 8th grade. When I was in kindergarten, I struggled with a learning disorder and acted out in class due to frustration. The other kids saw I was different and would bully me. No matter what I did after that, the kids never accepted me. With some help from my parents and teachers, things got better for me academically, but I was still bullied and didn’t have many friends. Luckily, I was able to turn to my parents for help. You should always tell your parents or another adult if you are bullied.
I’ve been told I have thick skin, because I kept trying to make new friends even though it felt like I would never have any. In middle school, I finally have some good friends and they do not judge me based upon my behavior in Kindergarten. Because of my experience, I go out of my way to make kids feel accepted and I do not judge them because they are different. Now I have a lot of friends who support me in my stopping bullying effort and they accept me for who I am because I accept everyone for who they are. I don’t care what other people think of them because, to me, everyone is special on the inside no matter what they are on the outside.
A year ago, I launched the “Raise Your Crown Against Bullying” initiative to help show other kids that are bullied that they are not alone. I also spend a lot of my volunteer time being an advocate for bullying prevention causes. I want every kid out there to know that bullying can happen to anyone, even adults. It is wrong, and everybody should be treated kindly.
As a result of my volunteering this past year, I earned The Gold President’s Volunteer Service Award for completing 125 hours of community service. That was such an honor. Some of my bullying prevention activities include The Faces of Change — The Youth Advisory Board of PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center, PACER’s Run Walk and Roll Against Bullying, and advocating through my own nonprofit “Raise Your Crown Against Bullying.” Learn more on my Facebook page.
By: Olivia Pierce
Permalink for Raise Your Crown Against Bullying
End Bullying!
Posted: 3/27/2015
My name is Taylor. I am 25 years old and studying to achieve my second degree at a University here in Montana. I posted my relationship with my long-time, on/off boyfriend on a social media website. The next day there were two comments on the status from his sister and ex girlfriend encouraging him to dump me. I deleted the comments and messaged the girls letting them know that those comments would not be tolerated on my posts. I received several extremely hurtful messages from both girls. Both girls’ names and profile pictures would be blocked out for privacy purposes. My goal in sharing my story is simply to add another voice to the growing thunderous roar that will become the bullying prevention campaign. Let’s rid the world of bullying forever!
By: Taylor
Romantic novel author finds inspiration from Unity Day
Posted: 3/9/2015
“I first learned about PACER when Ellen spotlighted the organization’s Unity day. So earlier this year, when my older son (10) was dealing with bullying at school, your work immediately came to mind. My son has mild Tourette’s Syndrome that manifests in twitching and other verbal and non-verbal tics. He’s been bullied and mocked before at other schools, but this time around he was the one stepping in to protect younger children being bullied by the boys in his class. I was so proud of him for wanting to be a knight in shining armor, but putting himself in the line of fire resulted in him being physically threatened, teased, and ostracized. I watched the light go out of his eyes a little more every day and it was so painful for our entire family to see our happy boy shut down emotionally. We ended up transferring my son to a charter school, where he has thrived.
That’s why I wrote SUNNY WITH A CHANCE OF TRUE LOVE and decided to donate 50% of the first month’s proceeds to PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center. I wanted to do something to help children who experienced similar, hurtful bullying situations. After publishing this romantic novel, so many women came forward with stories of their own bullying or situations where their children were struggling with bullying. This fundraiser not only ended in a nice sum to donate, but it also reminded me about the power of kindness and good people working together.”
— Jessie Evans
By: Jessie Evans
Permalink for Romantic novel author finds inspiration from Unity Day
Head High
Posted: 2/23/2015
He walks down the hall with his shoulders hunched,
When his head should be held high.
He keeps his chin down to stay out of sight,
Just trying his best to get by.
Insults fly by his head…horrible and mean,
He looks for help everywhere, but no help can be seen.
He sighs and looks down,
Not a teacher in sight
As dozens of students laugh at his plight.
He just wants a friend, is that too much to ask?
Just a friend to stand by him among this faceless mass.
Suddenly, a yell rings out,
An angry one at that.
Is she mean, kind, friend, or foe?
He looks to where the face is at.
Her face is angry, she steps up,
To yell at everyone else.
He dares to hope…is she on his side?
Will she help him in this fight?
She takes him by the shoulder,
A smile on her face,
Leading him away from the chaos,
And to a safer, kinder place.
By: Sarah Luttrell, 8th Grader
Thanks for the resource
Posted: 2/13/2015
Dear PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center
Thanks for making "Safety in the Online Community: A conversation with your 13-year-old about Facebook and Instagram" it's such a great resource. I loved it and learned so much about bullying and computer safety. Here is another link that also helped me in my learning about online safety that helps protect kids online.
Keep up the good work and thanks again!
Sincerely Lauren, Age 12
By: Lauren
Permalink for Thanks for the resource
Inspiration in a song
Posted: 2/12/2015
When Connor experienced bullying at school, he turned to his favorite country artist for comfort. Being able to sing along with Rich Cloke’s song “Wanting You” brought this young boy with Tourette Syndrome delight. To thank Rich for all the happiness his song had given him, Connor sent him a wonderful letter.
Hi Rich Cloke
I love your song wanting you I think it’s the beast one. I love the video, I have turrts, I twich and jurk and gasp and sometimes they hurt me. Some times they make me cry and some times I cry and say I don’t want this. Y do I have to have it. When I have a bad day I watch or lisin to country videos it makes me feel better. Have a good night.
This message touched Rich, as he saw the joy his music brought Connor after experiencing bullying. In response to this meaningful message from Connor, Rich decided to reach out with an amazing message of his own.
Hi, Connor, it’s Rich Cloke, and this is a special message just for you, because you’re an awesome guy. Your letter meant a lot to me. And I was blown away by the video of you singing along to “Wanting You”.
Living with Tourette’s can be a pretty big challenge, especially when you get bullied. Kids bully for all sorts of reasons. But, know this, it’s not your fault and you don’t deserve to be treated that way. There are people you can count on for support, like your mom, your friends, teachers and other adults, and it’s good to ask them to help. There are lots of people who care about you, and now I’m one of them.
I’m really proud to have a fan like you, Connor, and you should be proud, too. I want you to stay strong and believe in yourself. And when you get sad, remember that you’re not alone and that everything is going to be OK. Hang in there, little buddy!
This powerful story shows that bullying is truly a community issue, as it involves students, parents, educators, and even country artists! When we all stand together, no one has to stand alone.
By: Anonymous
Permalink for Inspiration in a song
The Silent One
Posted: 1/30/2015
In high school I've had classmates who made fun of me because of my shyness, and used it as a punch line for their joke.It only made me become even more shy. There was a time when I was walking to my locker and I ran into a classmate who looked like a rapper and he yelled to get out of his way. I was terrified and went to my counselor. His response was," you don't need to be afraid of him". I couldn't believe it.
My message to others who are being bullied, or have been bullied is to remember they are not what the bullies say. You are worthy, you are smart, you are good enough. Don't be afraid to speak up. Some one will listen. Someone will stand up for you. You are not alone and never will be. Teachers, principals, counselors if you are not sure how to handle the situation, educate yourselves. Don't look the other way, Your students need you. They need someone to protect them. Let's end bullying together and help the ones who are suffering out loud and in silence.
By: Brandy Miller
Send Us Your Story or Video
Submit a video, story, poem, artwork, or audio clip expressing how you feel about bullying, how you think it affects students and schools, what you have done to prevent bullying, or what others can do to prevent bullying.
