Castle Elementary Launches Anti-Bullying Campaign

on Thursday afternoon became one of two elementary schools in District 622 to officially implement an anti-bullying campaign.

According to Castle principal Allie Storti, every employee in the school has been through bullying prevention training and, beginning March 19, teachers will devote every Wednesday to classwork focused on the anti-bullying message.

"This (training) has been one of the best culture builders for our staff," Storti said. "Our staff has completely embraced the training and has been passionate about it from the get-go. They wanted to start it last month." 

During Thursday's kick-off event, the teachers unveiled bright orange T-shirts emblazoned with the message, "Orange you glad Castle is taking a stand against bullying?" which will be worn every Wednesday as a show of solidarity.

Also in attendance at Thursday's event was Cheryl Greene—District 622's nationally certified bullying prevention specialist and the person who trained the Castle teachers. 

"The key to success in stopping bullying in school is empowering the bystander," Greene explained. "On average 10 percent of kids are involved as the bully or the one being bullied. That leaves 90 percent that could help. It's time for people to start taking a stand." 

Greene also said bullying today is heightened because of the pervasiveness of the Internet. 

"Years ago, if a child was being bullied, they were safe once they reached home. But now, with cyber-bullying, it can go on 24/7. It's much more extreme now," Greene said.

She also added: "We surveyed third-, fourth- and fifth-graders about where they see bullying. There seems to be a disconnect between where teachers think they see it and where kids say they do. Our goal is to try to bridge that gap."

Greene also said that Webster Elementary kicked off its anti-bullying campaign Thursday afternoon and that the other schools in the district would follow suit next fall. 

Last fall Maplewood Middle School was the first District 622 school to officially implement an anti-bullying program.