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Voice of Students Was Heard at the Minnesota State Capitol Students Demanding Change Rally Draws Media Attention
Posted: 11/20/2018
The voice of Minnesota students was heard Feb. 11, 2012 at the State Capitol in St. Paul as more than 100 teens wearing orange rallied to support stronger bullying prevention legislation. Organized by Students Demanding
Change, with the support of PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center, the rally generated substantial media coverage. There were multiple television news reports on the Minneapolis-St. Paul
affiliates of ABC, CBS, and NBC, as well as stories on Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) and in the Minneapolis “Star-Tribune” newspaper.
Students Demanding Change believes that student perspective is vital if the State Legislature is going to successfully write a new law to prevent bullying, both in schools and in social media. The current state law is just 37 words
long and is one of the weakest in America.
Actor Colin Ford, one of the stars of the film “We Bought a Zoo,” appeared at the rally via Skype, offering his support for the students’ bullying prevention efforts. State
Representative Jim Davnie (DFL- Minneapolis) addressed the crowd in the Capitol rotunda. Julie Hertzog, director of PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center, and her son David shared their
personal story. And organizer Audrey Berdahl-Baldwin led the participants in a raucous chant to close the rally.
In an interview with MPR, organizer Sydney Eberwein said students would feel better if they knew state law required teachers and school administrators to take action when bullying occurs. “That provides a little more hope for students, which is what we want to accomplish,” said Eberwein, one of four Mounds Park Academy students who led the rally. “We want to provide students with hope that it will get better.”
Notes:
- Organize a student rally in your state.
- Check out the latest on PACERTeensAgainstBullying.org
- ‘Like’ PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center Facebook page.
- Sign the “The End of Bullying Begins With Me” online petition.
Musical Group, Dat Stern, Creates Music to Inspire
Posted: 11/9/2018
Twin brothers, Stacy and Sterling, decided to start a music group called Dat Stern; they wanted to make music that could inspire people and help others. Stacy states, “My brother and I suffered from bullying all throughout middle and high school. So, when we decided to make music, that was our main focus. Our goal is to put an end to bullying.”
Stacy remembers a bullying situation in 6th grade when a note he had written was passed around to all the classmates. “They all laughed and made fun of me. I felt so humiliated, but it didn’t end there. I was picked on and bullied for the rest of the school year in that class.” Both brothers experienced bullying that affected them into adulthood, being called names such as ugly, loser, and alien. Neither could understand why people were so cruel. Stacy says, “We suffered a lot from bullying through the years, and words are not enough to describe how bad it made us feel. No one deserves to be bullied. I repeat, NO ONE.”
As they got older, Stacy and Sterling decided that using their music and writing songs to send a message about bullying could inspire and help people. Together they have written two songs about bullying “Help Me,” and “Take a Stand,” in order to help raise awareness and end bullying. The brothers believe, “We have to take a stand and do something about it. It takes action. Many people witness bullying, and they just sit there and watch. They do nothing to help the kid that is being bullied. THIS HAS TO STOP. If you see someone being bullied, stand up for them, and help them. Standing there and doing nothing doesn’t help the situation at all.”
Stacy is thankful that his parents were there to listen and help him. The twins want people to know that asking for help is ok. “Don’t be afraid to let others know about the bullying issue. We are willing to stand with you and stop the bullying. Just reach out for help!”
Discussion questions
Help Me Lyrics
By: PACER
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Sharing Kindness: Gift from 100 Women Who Care Conejo Valley spreads bullying prevention message in California
Posted: 7/24/2018
The idea of 100 Women Who Care is simple: 100 women unite and use their combined resources to uplift charities in their community and across the nation. Four times a year, the group meets and members nominate, discuss, and vote on charities to support. On April 24th, 100 Women Who Care Conejo Valley chose PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center, Los Angeles, to receive the largest donation they have ever given. Through the gifts of their membership, they gave $6,350 to preserve and strengthen PACER’S bullying prevention efforts in this area northwest of Los Angeles County. On July 25th, a representative from PACER’s NBPC attended their meeting to share with the group how their donation was used. Activities, outreach to local schools, resources, and more are planned in the Conejo Valley region to help create healthier school communities where kindness – not bullying – will flourish.
By: PACER
Riders Against Bullying
Posted: 6/15/2018
What happens when one person cares? They can change someone’s life.
John Carter, a self-described “biker against bullying” has been encouraging students to sign the pledge to be together against bullying—and united for kindness, acceptance and inclusion. He also shows what a difference it makes when adults get involved in positive ways. John shared this story about the photo, “the young man in the red shorts and black shirt has autism. I saw the other kids bullying him, so I went out and spoke with all of them. I explained about autism and talked about the differences we all have. I asked how they felt when they get picked on. I then explained to them that each of us has feelings and how much it hurts to not be included. I told them everyone wants to be accepted and to have someone to play with. The group ended up playing together all night.”
By: Anonymous
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Personal experience inspires music video
Posted: 6/14/2018
"Imma Listen" is a music video created by Taylor Zank. The inspiration to create the project came from his personal experience. The video briefly portrays the life of Simmie, a student dealing with a rough emotional situation, both at home and at school. After being bullied by other kids, the student tries to talk to his father about the difficulty he is experiencing, but his father isn't willing to hear about it and brushes him off. The following day, a teacher notices Simmie in the hallway looking obviously distraught and takes the time to pull him aside and figure out what’s going on. After having a chance to express what he was going through to an adult figure and talk it out with the teacher, Simmie returns to school with a newfound confidence, and uses what he learned from the situation to help another student who is dealing with a similar experience. The video is meant to compel adults and students alike to reach out to those that we notice are clearly dealing with something, even if we don't know them, and let them know that we are there for them and that they are not alone.
Discussion questions accompany this video.
By: Anonymous
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Genius Hour
Posted: 4/4/2018
During her senior year of high school, Addison participated in a project called Genius Hour. The idea was for each student to select a topic of their choice, research it, and then develop a presentation, video, or product. Addison chose the topic of bullying, an issue that has personally affected her since elementary school. Addison made posters that displayed facts and statistics about bullying. She posted these resources in her classroom hoping to draw awareness to this common issue. Throughout the semester, she continued to research the effects of bullying, ultimately showing just how much it impacts students around the world. At the end of the semester, she presented her speech in which she spoke from the heart.
Addison shared, “I genuinely hope that I changed the way my classmates view bullying and how to treat people, as well as for anyone who views this video. I really enjoyed this project and I aim to continue to raise awareness for bullying and for all the targets that suffer from it. They deserve to be heard and supported, and I am determined to be one person who stands up for them. I hope people learn to realize that we should accept one another for who they are, because that is another thing that I realized when doing this project— everyone is different, yet everyone should be respected. It only takes one person to make a difference.”
By: Anonymous
Kindness Makes Miracles
Posted: 3/26/2018
Kindness Makes Miracles was established to promote kindness as a way of life. It was started after the tragic death of Kelly O'Loughlin. Our goal, from the very inception of Kindness Makes Miracles, was to do whatever we can to help others be aware of the devastating and deadly effects of bullying and the incredible healing power of kindness. By living lives of kindness, we enable others and ourselves to reach the fullest potential. Kindness Makes Miracles is a program of the Knights of Columbus Council #844 located in Helena, Montana. Watch our video on Kelly’s life. Get involved! Visit our website. #takeastandagainstbullying #kindnessmakesmiracles
By: Christopher Nelson and Kindness Makes Miracles
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Speaking Without Words
Posted: 3/1/2018
Video Credits
Andrew Carroll, Associate Professor of Dance, University of South Florida
Lana Heylock, Assistant Professor of Dance, Jacksonville University
Classroom Discussion Questions
These questions are in direct collaboration to Andrew Carroll’s cyberbullying video that supports a worldwide bullying prevention campaign. The discussion questions are designed for a teenage audience. They may be used as additional prompts that accompany the “Speaking Without Words: Be a Peer Advocate. Help Those Being Bullied. We All Have Unique Gifts. End/Delete Cyberbullying” video.
Why do you think that the other dancers bully the girl with one arm?
Answers may be that she is “different” or that “she looks different.” This is a good place to discuss that we are all different. Our physical appearances are unique, we often have varied interests, come from different types of families, and meet people of different ethnic and social backgrounds every day. The girl with one arm must have incredible strength, focus, and courage to succeed at the same skills that most people are fortunate to do with two arms. She is different and she is amazing! She needs to be supported, encouraged, and applauded. It is “cool” to be there for her and help her if she needs the assistance. It makes you a stronger person!Why do you think it is important to talk about disabilities?
Discussion gives us knowledge. Communication is so important. If we do not understand something, it is more difficult to have empathy and show support. When we understand the situation of a person with a disability, we can walk in their shoes and understand that all people have the right to pursue their dreams, find happiness, and acceptance.Do you think that people with physical disabilities can achieve success in sports and dance?
YES! There are many awesome athletes and dancers who have overcome their physical disabilities to be successful professionals. Here are a few:- Major League Baseball pitcher Jim Abbott was born without a right hand. He won the gold medal in the 1988 Summer Olympics.
- Mixed Martial Arts Athlete Kyle Maynard was the first quadruple amputee to climb Mount Kilimanjaro without the aid of prosthetics in 2012.
- Surfer Bethany Hamilton’s left arm was bitten off by a shark in 2003. She went on to earn first place at the National Scholastic Surfing Association Competition two years later.
- AXIS Dance Company, REVolutions Dance, and Dancing Wheels are examples of professional dance companies that employ dancers in wheelchairs and on crutches.
What was one significant event in the video?
It took only one girl to be a peer advocate and change the bullying environment. All the characters learned mutual respect and acceptance by the end. In fact, we saw the girl with a disability reach out and catch her stumbling new friend. It makes us realize that kindness and friendship do not require two arms and legs. We all have the same needs and wants. We need to care for one another and appreciate the many unique physical conditions in the world.
By: Andrew Carroll, Lana Heylock
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Young Student Leads a Movement!
Posted: 11/9/2017
Thirteen-year-old Mai Mishan is committed to creating a world without bullying! In her third year of promoting National Bullying Prevention Month in October, Mai organized two significant events for 2017.
On Saturday, October 21, Mai held a Charity Ride at Soul Cycle in Calabasas, Calif., to raise funds for PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center. The studio was vibrant in orange, the signature color of bullying prevention, with orange balloons and graphics and all participants received the official orange “Create a World Without Bullying” shirt. Mai's mother, Michal also promoted the event with online Facebook fundraising; the donations received far exceeded the projected goal.
Mai followed up the fundraiser on Unity Day, October 25, by leading a school-wide coordination of Unity Day events involving every student and teacher at her school of 1200+ students. To promote participation, Mai wrote personal notes to key faculty, sharing why the day is so important. She handed out posters and flyers to display all over the campus. School administration supported Mai’s efforts by sending out a mailer to parents, encouraging their involvement. On the day of the event, EVERYONE on the four campuses wore orange! The principal, Mai and other students spoke at an assembly as well. Students also showed their support by creating links of positive statements on orange paper about how they would unite for kindness, acceptance and inclusion, creating an orange chain around the campus.
As a result of Mai’s influential leadership, Unity Day is now an annual official date on the school calendar. “We so appreciated Mai’s initiative and positive energy in making this happen,” wrote a school administrator.
By: PACER Center Staff
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Cyberbullying Dance
Posted: 10/10/2017
We are more alike than we think
A cyberbullying awareness video illustrating the necessity to end and delete cyberbullying message because “we are all more alike than we think.” The video was produced with the generous permission of incredible musical artist James Paget for use of “The Hero Within.” The short video highlights the story of an athlete who initially cyberbullies a ballet dancer not realizing they are similar athletes, just with different skill sets. This becomes apparent, and the athlete chooses to end and delete the cyberbullying.
Video and discussion questions by Andrew Carroll, The University of South Florida and Lana Heylock, Jacksonville University
Classroom Discussion Questions
- What similarities did you notice between the dancer and the athlete?
- Describe how athletes and dancers each practice to become good at what they do.
- Describe the traditional “uniform” of the dancer and of the basketball player.
- Why do you think each sport has its own style of attire?
- Do you think that dancers are athletes? Why or why not?
- How can you be a better advocate to stop cyber bullying?
Helpful tips, ideas, and conversation starters to foster greater dialogue during classroom discussion
- What similarities did you notice between the dancer and the athlete?
- Has anyone here ever danced? What about played a sport? Can you both tell me about the skills you need to perform?
- Are you surprised to find out that there are many similarities between the two? Similarities include hard work, focus, lots of skills to practice, physical activity, and valuable teamwork. Teamwork examples include: A ballet has a corps de ballet which must work perfectly in unison so that the audience can understand the story, a dance duet must work harmoniously or someone will fall or be dropped, dancers must negotiate the stage so they do not bump into each other. Similarly, a basketball team must know their play and pass the ball correctly, a basketball player must be alert to see how to execute the basket, and basketball players must find their paths on the court between many other bodies in their way. They both consider awesome skills and the use of energy, timing, and space.
- Describe how athletes and dancers each practice to become good at what they do.
- Can an athlete and dancer in the class tell me what they do to warm up and practice? They practice A LOT!!! If they do not practice they will not be very good. They have skills that most people do not have naturally. Most athletes practice during a specific season, whereas, a dancer practices all year long. Both professions have rather short terms…professional athletes and professional dancers are usually fairly young…(in their 20’s and 30’s).
- Describe the traditional “uniform” of the dancer and of the basketball player.
- Think about sports and activities you play. What do you wear for that?
- What about for other sports: football, cycling, swimming, wrestling, baseball, etc? There are typical uniforms for dancers and basketball players. Dancers wear specific shoes, such as pointe dance shoes, soft dance shoes, and tap shoes. Basketball athletes wear sneakers. Dancers wear tight clothing, and football players, gymnasts, wrestlers, cyclists, and swimmers wear tight clothing, too. Basketball players wear loose fitted clothing and jerseys.
- Why do you think each sport has its own style of attire?
- Have several students in the class identify a sport/activity they are involved with and explain what they wear and why they wear it. Each sport has its own style of attire to help athletes accomplish their skills and goals. Dancers use specific shoes that include pointe shoes for women to appear longer and have the ability to turn effortlessly, soft shoes help spin and feel the ground, tap shoes accentuate rhythms and jazz shoes cushion landings and help with sliding. Basketball athletes need sneakers to help them move swiftly across the court. Their shoes provide important support and cushioning when running and landing from dunking the basket. Dancers wear tight clothing in rehearsal in order to see correct alignment and form. Likewise, football players and gymnasts wear tight clothing so they can move effectively. It would be dangerous to wear baggy clothes that they could trip on or get tangled in. Professional swimmers wear tight Speedos to help them move fast. Basketball players wear loose fitted clothing made of wicking material so they can move freely and have faster drying and cooling in their jerseys. Dancers and athletes have figured out what clothing helps them be the best they can be at what they do.
- Do you think that dancers are athletes? Why or why not?
- Do you think you can do the spins and jumps like you saw the dancer do in the video?
- What would you need to do in order to do the dance moves? Dancers are elite athletes with many skills that involve endurance, coordination, stretch, and strength. Some athletes, execute their plays on the court with the grace, strength, and agility of a dancer. Oftentimes dancers and athletes cross-train. Many dancers work out in the gym with weights and machines and many athletes have been known to take yoga and dance lessons to help their bodies increase coordination and stretch. Dancers and athletes are more alike than we previously may have thought. Firstly, they are human with the same feelings and often the same pursuit of excellence. Dancers and athletes should be admired equally. They show us incredible physical feats and help us strive toward setting personal goals of excellence. The world appreciates the storytelling and beauty of dance and the fierce competiveness and spirit of athletics. Our communities are enriched by arts and sports!
- How can you be a better advocate to stop cyber bullying?
- If you’re being cyberbullied, what are things you can do to stop the cyberbullying? What about things that would make the cyberbullying worse?
- If you see cyberbullying, what are things you can do to help? What would be unhelpful?
Knowledge is power! Stop wrong information, speak up, and support what you know is important in our schools, cities, and country. Be strong, be smart and always be kind.
If you’re being cyberbullied, here are steps you can take to help end it:
- Know that you do not deserve what is happening
- Document the hurtful online content – take screen shots of and print hurtful content
- “Unfriend” or block the person bullying you online
- Remove/untag yourself from hurtful comments or picture
- Report the hurtful content to the website where it occurred
- Tell a trusted adult about what’s happening so you can think through options to end the cyberbullying
If you’re being cyberbullied, doing these things can make the situation worse:
- Ignore it and hope that it stops - this usually doesn’t work in the long run or fix the problem
- Avoid the person cyberbullying –you’ll soon see how hard it is to avoid someone who goes to the same school with you
- Respond aggressively – this can make it look like you’re part of the problem, too
If you see cyberbullying, here are steps you can take to help end it:
- Do not “like” or forward hurtful online content
- Report the content to the site where it occurred
- Send a supportive message to the person being cyberbullied
- If it feels safe to do, you can also tell the person bullying that what they are doing is not okay.
If you see cyberbullying, doing these things can make the situation worse:
- “Liking” and forwarding hurtful online content – you’re contributing to the problem too
- Ask the person being bullied what they did to start the bullying and telling them it’s their fault
By: Video and discussion questions by Andrew Carroll, The University of South Florida and Lana Heylock, Jacksonville University
By: Anonymous
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