Rewarding good behavior as a way to stop school bullying

Students work with teacher Melissa De La Paz on their music video during an after-school meeting, Aug. 29, 2013 at Stratford Middle School in Bloomingdale, Ill.

By Tribune Content Agency, adapted by Newsela staff

CHICAGO — When 11-year-old Ronan Schuelke was shoved and called names in his school lunchroom last year, he wasn’t sure what to do.

This year, he is the star of a music video designed to teach respect through a catchy parody of a Katy Perry song.

After students watch the video, Ronan and other student leaders at his school, Stratford Middle School in Bloomingdale, Ill., will hand out tokens to classmates who try to stop bullying or reinforce good behavior. Students can receive a token for telling a classmate to stop picking on someone, for instance, or by sitting with a new student at lunch. The tokens are called "Stallion Medallions" after the school's mascot. They can be redeemed for small prizes, like school supplies or tickets to plays.

“I think this is something the kids will pick up … and maybe try it,” Ronan said of the idea.

"Stop, Walk And Talk"

The new approach at Stratford underscores an ongoing shift in how educators deal with bullying.

In the past, attempts to combat bullying were haphazard. Administrators spoke with individual students or brought in speakers. But in recent years, media attention, state mandates and research on bullying have prompted dozens of school districts across Illinois to more comprehensively address the subject and instill a broader message of respect, educators say. At least 10 of those districts are in Chicago suburbs.

“Teaching them to show respect to each other is more effective than saying ‘Don’t be a bully,’” said Brian Meyer. He serves as operations director for the state’s Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports network. The organization provides Illinois schools with information on the latest anti-bullying techniques.

Under the program, schools acknowledge that all students are capable of bullying and being bullied. Administrators survey students on problem areas. Then faculty and students are trained in a schoolwide approach called “Stop, Walk and Talk.”

The idea is to give students strategies for halting bullying instantly. For instance, a student could tell or signal an aggressor to stop and then report it to a teacher.