Anti-Bullying Initiative
Following the 2009 Dropout Prevention Summit, Chase Youth Commission and Teen Advisory Council students heard that many students leave school before graduation because the don’t feel safe. Bullying and harrassment are a big problem, and the students wanted to do something about it.
They began by researching what the current policies and procedures are around bullying. Working with the Equity Office of Spokane Public Schools, students reviewed and commented on current practices. As they were doing so, they discovered that the state was holding a Healthy Schools Summit in May or 2010 and was looking for workshop presenters. Student Alex Wolfson felt that they had amassed enough information that they could provide a valuable perspective about how students can be empowered to address the bullying crisis. She submitted a proposal to the state officials, and it was accepted.
On May 27th, Alex Wolfson and Chris Fortner flew to Seattle to make their presentation. They had spent considerable time preparing and practicing for this day, and it paid off. The students first shared their stories and experiences with bullying and then gave the group of forty-five teachers, administrators, counselors and teens some new information they had gathered about the issue. Next, our students ask participants to work in small groups to discuss various bullying scenarios and what they would do in response. Alex and Chris reconvened the large group and proceded to facilitation a conversation and sometimes, debate about the appropriate actions. Then Alex and Chris gave the audience the student perspective about what they would like to see done.
In the end, the participants thanked Alex and Chris for their courage in confronting such a daunting issue, and the teens in attendance vowed to start an anti-bullying initiative in their own school. We are very proud of Alex and Chris.
In 2010, more students joined the Anti-Bulling Committee. They made met with high school and middle school assistant principals to share their idea of a youth-led campaign to improve school climate. They also have lobbied the school district to provide a safer way for students to report bullying.
This work will continue into the 2011-12 school year through a partnership with KREM2 on a new program known as Rachel’s Challenge. To read more about Rachel’s Challenge, click here.
A few useful resources about bullying:
http://stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/adults/tip-sheets/tip-sheet-23.aspx
