I am so proud (and a little teary) about a new bullying prevention video, Be an Upstander, Not a Bystander, that came out today! This public service announcement features my town’s police and fire departments, current and former students, and my awesome colleagues Franklin, a fifth grade teacher, and Amy, my counseling partner (and amazing first-year school counselor). Be an Upstander, Not a Bystander would be great to show students anywhere, but could also be an inspiration for your school and town to do something similar.
In the video (4:24), our current students give information about bullying prevention, and middle and high school students (some of whom attended our school) hold signs with messages about how they have been bullied. Seeing what they have gone through is heartbreaking, but their courage and determination to stand up to bullying and to help others is so inspiring! Amy, Franklin, police officers, and firefighters give advice, speak out against bullying, and encourage students to stand up and get help for themselves and others. Our school resource officer – who (ahem) I remember as a little girl – talks about how she addresses in-school bullying and cyberbullying. The video ends with each of the kids and adults sharing the message “I will stand,” strongly communicating a wrap-around feeling of safety and support. The background music is Charleigh Gere’s bullying prevention song Stand. Charleigh is a student at our middle school, so this video is truly a hometown collaboration. I’m not sure I’ve ever been prouder to live here!
P.S. Did the bulletin board behind one of our students look familiar? Just one of hundreds, or maybe even thousands of similar school counselors’ bulletin boards (we have two – this one in Amy’s office and another in a hallway) created and shared (for free) by Susan Fuller of Entirely Elementary…School Counseling.
I would LOVE to know how many of us have this bulletin board – it went totally viral in the school counseling world. If you don’t have it yet, get it! It’s free, super simple, and gets tons of compliments – which gives you a great opportunity to brag about how collaborative and generous the school counseling community is!
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I’ve spent my snow day surfing for ideas that I can use in my work as a school counselor. This bullying video is amazing! What a great way to teach children about bullying,standing up to bullies, and that the whole community stands together. Thanks for sharing. Fantastic resource!