Pawtucket schools adopt anti-bullying program
By: Melissa Randall
@MRandallABC6
One day before heading back to school the Pawtucket School District adopted a new program aimed at creating a better learning environment for students. 1,000 teachers were at the Rhode Island Convention Center as they launched ‘No Bully,’ and declared themselves bully-free.
“You have my word that this is the team that can get that done!” said Superintendent Patti DiCenso.
Bullying is a major problem nation-wide. It happens to about 20 to 30% of students on a regular basis.
“The kids who are the targets of bullying suffer from anxiety, depression, shame and often suicidal ideation,” said Nicholas Carlisle, Founder of ‘No Bully.’
“We talk about ‘the children are our future’, ‘education is the key to success’— all of those things are meaningless if children don’t feel safe at school,” said Rep. David Cicilline, (D) Rhode Island.
The initiative uses a unique approach to deter bad behavior.
“We realized early on that punishing the hell out of kids doesn’t actually make them any better,” explained Carlise.
Instead ‘No Bully’ teaches student empathy.
“We have these solution teams solve problems for kids before they escalate,” said DiCenso.
Hasbro, a toy making company based in Pawtucket, is underwriting the programs’ costs.
“Our purpose is to make the world a better place for children and their families, so we look forward to introducing the right tools and resources to teachers and students so they can become part of the solution in preventing bullying in our community.
The anti–bullying campaign will be implemented throughout the 2015–2016 school year in all 17 Pawtucket schools.
“We deal with it every single day, so to have a common language and common program and a common way to help our kids combat what they have to deal with its phenomenal,” said Lisa Razi, Principal at Goff Jr. High.
The program boasts a 90% success rate, but educators stress that they can’t put an end to bullying alone. Students and their parents will need to become involved for the community to reach its goal.
Pawtucket is the first city in New England to get the specialized training.
© WLNE-TV 2015
