Lisle Jr. High Students Take A Stand

Schools and families have had good reason to have a heightened sense of awareness when it comes to the issue of bullying. Dr. Wernet, superintendent of Lisle Community School District 202, was recently chosent to lead superintendents throughout DuPage County in an anti-bullying prevention and education campaign. All District 202 elementary schools featured their commitment to  positive social behaviors at open house nights held the first few weeks of school. Education on pro-social behaviors is a more positive approach then just implementing anti-bullying rules and consequences because it focuses on the message of what is expected versus what is not tolerated.

Students in Mr. Jay Wiertel's eighth grade Advanced Computer Class at Lisle Junior High are putting the anti-bullying message into action with their video entitled "It Won't Happen Here." Sparked into action after a Bully Prevention Day at the school, the students asked Wiertel if they could take what they had learned and turn it into a project in their computer class. The slideshow-format video features student actor Trent Haldeman as the victim of bullies.

"This project was made to reach others," Haldeman said.

The video onine has had 1,000 views since it posted, with positive comments from students and adults alike. The video  demonstrates the "pack mentality" of students who join in on the bullying and those who are "bystanders" who take no action.

"It felt weird," said Haldeman, "The experience of acting like someone who was bullied made me feel bad for people who really are bullied."

The "lead by example" message was in the the students who take a stand against the bullies and those that rally around the victim and befriend him. One image captured a student reaching down to the victim to help him stand up.

Mr. Wiertel's class was offered as a new class last school year and was so successful, it was offered again this year. The students use Mac books, Flip camcorders, iPods and other tools to create unique presentations and projects on their classroom computers.

While Haldeman has not been bullied, he has solid advice for others: " If you see bullying, stop it and if you are being bullied you should tell a parent or teacher." This video montage is a step in the right direction of positive peer pressure being part of the solution to a complicated problem. These junior high students have taken a stand in a very public way.

See the class's web site for more information about the Advanced Computers class projects.