Schools pick up anti-bullying program

ASHWAUBENON - Dozens of Northeast Wisconsin school districts are picking up on a new program designed to curb bullying.

"My Safe Schools" promotes positive behavior through videos and tracking software.

Pulaski students appear in a series of videos, which also star former Packers running back Ahman Green.

The videos are part the nationwide anti-bullying program "My Safe Schools."

"Four percent of bullying incidences are ever reported in schools," said Todd Stiede, who is with the organization.

Stiede and others said the age-old problem of bullying appears to be more prevalent today than in the past.

In fact, the student actors in one video say a scenario they acted out stems from a real life experience in Pulaski.

"In elementary, a couple of kids wanted to play basketball with us and some kids said 'no,' and I didn't think that was very good," said Pulaski 6th grader Trevor Stied.

That's why Stied and others want to help put a stop to bullying.

"Our coach told us that we had an opportunity to help stop bullying and I thought it was a great idea so I wanted to do it," said Pulaski 6th grader Andrew Kane.

Those behind "My Safe Schools" said it works to prevent actions intended to cause fear and harm.

"I am not here to say that My Safe Schools is going to curb it. But we want to identify it, and assist people who have the capability of addressing it, and maybe taking some proper action," said Patrick Ryan with "My Safe Schools."

Pulaski superintendent Mel Lightner said his district will implement "My Safe Schools" in February. He told FOX 11 he thinks the program can only help.

"What we really have to do is we have to re-train and re-teach people to make sure that they're kind to one another every moment of every day," Lightner said.

BIRTS, which stands for Bullying Incident and Response Tracking Software, is also part of the program.

"If a teacher sees an incident, they can very simply, within 30 seconds, enter the incident, state who the bullies are, who the victims are, what occurred and there's a ratings system," said Ryan.

The information is available to other school officials. The hope is to create a safer learning environment for students.

"So that students feel safe when they come to school, and therefore can concentrate on their studies rather than their safety," Ryan said.

Around 40 schools in Northeast Wisconsin are using the My Safe Schools program.

The BIRTS Foundation recently formed to raise money so the anti-bullying kits can be given to schools at no charge.