Bullying Takes Parkway Students to the Tivoli

The following information was provided to Patch in a press release by the Parkway School District.

Eighth grade students at Parkway’s had an eye-opening, inspirational experience on Wednesday, Nov. 16.  The students attended the St. Louis International Film Festival at the Tivoli Theater in University City for a Cinema for Students showing of The Bully Project. 

The feature-length documentary focuses on the stories of five kids who have been bullied and the dire consequences of that bullying.  The students experienced real stories about the bullying epidemic in our country and learned how to respond to the challenge of stopping it. 

Director Lee Hirsch conducted a question and answer session following the film during which students were able to ask Hirsch about the making of the film and its subjects; his visit heightened students’ consciousness about bullying.

Just as powerful was the sense of personal, social, and civic responsibility felt by the students.  That very afternoon, one of the Southwest Middle eighth grade students stepped in to stop a bullying incident on the after-school bus.   

As posted by our eighth grader, Max Shiblom, on The Bully Project Facebook page that evening: “If it wasn’t for what I saw today, I probably would have never stepped in to stop it. To be honest, I probably would have just ignored it.”  

To continue education and momentum of bullying prevention, the parents of a bullycide victim, the Smalleys, will visit the students at Southwest Middle to offer the opportunity to sign their nationwide pledge, “Stand for the Silent,” against bullying.  The hope is that the learning will resonate with the students so they continue acting to improve the lives of others.