Respect and kindness taught as away to stop school bullying

Students work with teacher Melissa De La Paz on their music video during an after-school meeting, Aug.

29, 2013 at Stratford Middle School in Bloomingdale, Ill. Photo: Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune/MCT

CHICAGO — Last year, kids pushed 11-year-old Ronan Schuelke and called

him names in the school lunchroom. He didn't know what to do.

Now Ronan is the star of a music video at his school. It is based on a popular

Katy Perry song. His video teaches respect.

Ronan attends Stratford Middle School in Bloomingdale, Illinois.

The video is just part of the plan to stop bullying. Ronan and other student

leaders will reward classmates who try to stop bullying. Kids will also get

rewards if they do things for others. A student may get a small prize for telling a

classmate to stop picking on someone. Eating lunch with a new kid also will

earn a prize.

By Chicago Tribune, adapted by Newsela staff on 09.19.13

Word Count 623

"Stallion Medallions"

The awards are called "Stallion Medallions." They are named for the school's

mascot. They can be traded for things like school supplies or play tickets.

“I think this is something the kids will pick up … and maybe try it,” Ronan said of

the idea.

Stratford and many other schools now take bullying very seriously.

In the past, schools did not know what to do about bullying. Now, many schools

across Illinois are trying to stop it in its tracks. Teaching respect is an important

part of this.

It works better than saying "Don’t be a bully," said Brian Meyer. He works for a

state center that helps schools prevent bullying.

Schools know that any child may be a bully. Also, any child may be picked on.

The way the program works is that kids help point out problems at their schools.

Then everyone at the school is trained in a program called “Stop, Walk and

Talk.” They learn exactly what they should say and do to stop bullying.

School Anti-Bullying Programs

Many educators and researchers like the program. They say it reduces bullying.

Others worry that giving prizes for being nice sends the wrong message. Being

kind to others should be its own reward, they say. They also do not believe it

works in the long run. As soon as the reward ends, the good behavior also

could stop, they say.

More than 20 percent of children are involved in bullying. The number of

children involved in bullying surprised people.

Twenty years ago, people thought bullying was rare. Few parents asked schools

to protect their children. When bullying became linked to violence, parents got

involved, said Dorothy Espelage. She studies bullying at the University of Illinois.

People now have a better understanding of bullying. Forty-nine states say

schools have to have anti-bullying programs, Espelage said.

Schoolwide programs work best, studies show. Educators now realize that all

students must learn to be kind to each other. Many schools ask the state

network for help.

Neon-Orange "Expect Respect" T-Shirt

All eight Bloomingdale schools have a plan to stop bullying. Students belong to

Expect Respect Clubs. They get rewards for doing good. They also will watch

the anti-bullying video, said Julie Augustyn. She works for the Bloomingdale

schools.

There is no easy way to stop bullying, said Catherine Bradshaw. She teaches at

John Hopkins University. But there is hope, she said. Last year, Bradshaw

helped write a report on the anti-bullying program. Many Maryland schools with

the program saw a big drop in bullying.

“There aren’t any quick, easy solutions that are going to happen after one hour

or an afternoon,” she said.

Chintan Dave had a goal when he joined Stratford's Expect Respect Club. He is

13 years old. Two years ago, he took a different bus home from school after he

was mocked for his Indian accent.

When school started this year, he wore his neon-orange “Expect Respect” T-

shirt with high hopes. “I don’t want anyone to go through what I went through,”

he said.

Quiz

1 Select the sentence from the article that BEST shows that school bullying is a

widespread problem.

(A) In the past, schools didn't know what to do about bullying.

(B) Many educators and researchers like the program.

(C) Stratford and many other schools now take bullying very seriously.

(D) Forty-nine states say schools have to have anti-bullying programs,

Espelage said.

2 Read the following sentence from the section "Stallion Medallions."

They can be traded for things like school supplies or play

tickets. What is the meaning of the word 'traded' as used in

the given sentence?

(A) Purchased

(B) Exchanged

(C) Marketed

(D) Arranged

3 According to the article, which of the following sentences is FALSE?

(A) Positive measures are helpful to stop bullying in schools.

(B) Bullying is a common problem in many schools in the U.S.

(C) Bullying in school affects a child emotionally.

(D) he majority of students in Bloomingdale schools are involved in

bullying.

4 Read paragraph 2 from the section "Neon-Orange "Expect Respect" T-Shirt."

Many Maryland schools with the program saw a big drop in

bullying. Which of these words, if it replaces the word 'drop' in

the sentence above, would CHANGE the meaning of the

sentence?

(A) Decline

(B) Crash

(C) Fall

(D) Dip

Answer Key

1 Select the sentence from the article that BEST shows that school bullying is a

widespread problem.

(A) In the past, schools didn't know what to do about bullying.

(B) Many educators and researchers like the program.

(C) Stratford and many other schools now take bullying very seriously.

(D) Forty-nine states say schools have to have anti-bullying

programs, Espelage said.

2 Read the following sentence from the section "Stallion Medallions."

They can be traded for things like school supplies or play

tickets. What is the meaning of the word 'traded' as used in

the given sentence?

(A) Purchased

(B) Exchanged

(C) Marketed

(D) Arranged

3 According to the article, which of the following sentences is FALSE?

(A) Positive measures are helpful to stop bullying in schools.

(B) Bullying is a common problem in many schools in the U.S.

(C) Bullying in school affects a child emotionally.

(D) he majority of students in Bloomingdale schools are involved

in bullying.

4 Read paragraph 2 from the section "Neon-Orange "Expect Respect" T-Shirt."

Many Maryland schools with the program saw a big drop in

bullying. Which of these words, if it replaces the word 'drop' in

the sentence above, would CHANGE the meaning of the

sentence?

(A) Decline

(B) Crash

(C) Fall

(D) Dip