Action urged during National Bullying Prevention Month

Nearly one-third of all school-aged children, an upwards of 13 million students, are bullied each year. During National Bullying Prevention Month in October, communities are urged to come together and take action to send a message that bullying will not be accepted in their town or school.

Founded by PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center in October 2006, National Bullying Prevention Month is now a nationwide event recognized in schools and communities. It is supported by the National Education Association, the American Federation for Teachers and the National PTA, among others.

“We’re hoping that communities across the country will take action and respond to that concern this October, so students who are bullied know there’s support and help in their town,” said Julie Hertzog, director of PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center based in Minneapolis.

Community members can take action in several ways:

--Use the free online resources tailored to elementary and middle school kids, teens, parents, teachers and other adults. Take a pledge to put an end to bullying. (PACER.org/Bullying, PACERTeensAgainstBullying.org or PACERKidsAgainstBullying.org.)

--Wear orange on Unity Day, Wednesday, October 10 to “Make It Orange and Make It End.”

--Become a “partner” or “champion” during National Bullying Prevention Month at PACER.org/bullying/nbpm to actively spread the word and get others involved.

--Help a student create a bullying prevention plan available at PACER.org/bullying/resources/publications/plan.

Tags: local news, news, bullying, prevention