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Middle schoolers talk bullying

Nov. 23, 2011

Nov. 23 was devoted to "getting real" at Draper Middle School. Instead of attending regular classes, students took part in a day-long anti-bullying conference, where they met in small groups with two or three teachers and counselors. Students shared their own personal bullying stories, talked about stereotypes and explored what it means to be a bystander.

"Does everybody in this room feel like they've seen some bullying at some point?" High School Guidance Counselor Mary Lockwood asked a group of eighth graders. "Yes," they responded.

In another classroom, one student said some of her friends weren't sure they were coming to school on the day of the conference because they didn't think bullying went on at Draper. That same day, she said, someone made fun of her hair in the cafeteria.

"In the hallways, in lunch, a lot of people call people names in this school," said the student.

The event was part of the new "Back Off, Stand Up" anti-bullying initiative that has become central to the daily routine at Draper. Last week, anti-bullying expert Jodee Blanco visited the HS/MS campus, presenting to students during the day and to parents and community members in the evening. Anti-bullying awareness messages and prevention tips are also broadcast throughout the middle school on the daily announcements via DMSTV.

See photos from the anti-bullying conference in the photo gallery below.