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Join the Conference Call with 'Bully' Director

5.6.2012

You've seen the movie "Bully," now what?

Tips from nation's educators for creating bully-free environment

The newly released film, "Bully", has captured national attention and sparked conversations as moviegoers realize just how serious and prevalent bullying is in today's society. The provocative and emotion-filled documentary opened nationwide in theaters on April 13. 

"This movie is a jarring wake-up call for anyone who didn't realize the implications of bullying.  No one can watch this movie and not come away changed," said Dennis Van Roekel, president of the National Education Association (NEA). "So we watch a movie and our emotions get stirred, now what?  It can't stop with the movie. As educators, we are leading the way to create bully-free environments so students can be safe and thrive. Other adults have a responsibility to join with us to help students and put a stop to bullying."

Last year, NEA launched the "Bully Free: It Starts With Me" campaign which offers guidance to schools and communities on preventing and ending bullying. Along with providing 10 Steps to Stop and Prevent Student Bullying and other resources, research and tools, the campaign encourages adults to take a pledge to help bullied students. 

"It's critical that adults take at least one child to see the movie, and then use it to jumpstart an on-going conversation about bullying," said Van Roekel. "I hope it helps us get rid of the myth that bullying isn't really harmful or that it's just a ‘rite of passage.' Bullying hurts.  It's wrong and we need to stop it."

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON BULLYING

Findings from the National Education Association's Nationwide Study of Bullying.
This first-of-its-kind, large-scale research study conducted by NEA and Johns Hopkins University, examines different school staff members' perspectives on bullying and bullying prevention efforts.

Learn How to Prepare For and Respond to a Crisis
This step-by-step resource created by educators for educators can make it easier for school district administrators and principals to keep schools safe while providing information to schools in the midst of a crisis to help children and staff return to learning as quickly as possible.

Follow us on twitter at www.twitter.com/NEAMedia; #bullymovie; #bullyfree

MONDAY, MAY 7, Lee Hirsch, the Director of Bully, would like to get on a conference call with NEA organizers, Bully Free cadre members and others who can help get districts to join the Bully Project Movement and learn about the Million Kids effort to help Educators and students see the Bully film free---help organize field trips and other ways to get students and educators to see this film and talk about NEA's Bully Free, It Starts wth Me and ways

http://action.thebullyproject.com/million

The Conference call times will be 7:15  p.m. on Monday, May 7  ---- There will also be a Wednesday conference call to give people a chance to hear from Lee about their goal to have 1 million students and educators see the film and NEA's bullyfree pledge is even featured on the million kids' site. 

 Free Conference Call
 Conference Dial-in Number: (559) 726-1000
 Host Access Code: 127565#
 Participant Access Code: 127565#