LIVERMORE FALLS – Eighth-graders Kayla Wilson and Heather Budzko were among the students pledging Monday to prevent bullying and teasing in their school.
The girls want bullying incidents to decrease at the Livermore Falls Middle School. That’s why Wilson and Budzko, both 13 and of Livermore, joined the Bully Proofing Our School Committee last year.
Both girls say they want to help make others feel safer in school.
“I’m going to stand up for the other person,” said Wilson, who doesn’t like it when people are put down. She well remembers being one of the students who was picked on and bullied when she was younger.
“I went home crying most of the time,” she said Monday.
But that’s not the case now.
“I just got sick of it and I went telling people … and it stopped,” Wilson said.
Compassion
Both girls think this program is going to make a difference.
A survey of students at the school showed that a high amount of bullying happens in the hallways and outside when a teacher isn’t around, Wilson said. Their goal is to reduce it.
The committee organizing bullying-prevention activities is led by school guidance counselor Grace Eaton and by Missy Danforth, a bullying-prevention coordinator from the Franklin County Children’s Task Force in Farmington.
Committee member Barbara Purington, a parent, said the program is “something that is needed greatly at this age.” Wilson and Budzko are the only students on the committee.
A kickoff assembly for bullying prevention was held Monday in the school gym.
Principal Matt Gilbert asked students to be compassionate to others to help make the school a safer environment for all.
Students from the Livermore Falls High School drama program acted out three scenarios of bullying and teasing – and how those behaviors could be prevented.
Eaton led students and staff in the pledge to be bully-free:
“I agree to stamp out bullying and all forms of violence. I believe that everyone should be able to enjoy our school equally, feel safe, secure and accepted regardless of ethnicity, gender, popularity, athletic ability, intelligence, religion and nationality.”
By signing the pledge cards, the students agree to:
• Support students who have been subject to bullying.
• Teach by example, treating other students with respect.
• Open their eyes to be alert to all incidents of bullying.
• Prevent bullying by reporting suspicious behavior.
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