Combating bullying in Battle Creek

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) – Bullying is a problem that has been around for a long time, but with the internet and social networking, that problem is currently growing.

It's a problem so big that sometimes kids wouldn't even go to school because they were scared, but in Battle Creek, one school is doing all they can to stop the problem.

“I think children are becoming more aggressive,” said Judy Berryman, organizer of an anti-bullying campaign.

At Springfield Middle School, bullying was the norm at one time. There was bullying online, bullying in the classrooms and in the hallways.

“As a child I was bullied, as a parent I've seen my kids bullied, as a teacher I know it's a problem,” said Berryman.

At Springfield Middle School, they decided it was time to take action.

“I think schools need to take ownership and say we are going to do something about it,” said Berryman.

Visibility is one way that the school is combating the problem, the other is through education.

So far, teachers and students have gone through bullying workshops, and since the campaign began in the current school year, Springfield Middle reports that bullying incidents have dropped by a staggering 30 percent. However, it's still not enough.

School officials say the next phase in their anti-bullying campaign will be coming up on Thursday night, when they will be reaching out to parents, teaching them about what bullying is, and how to stop it in its tracks.

“What you need to look for as a parent so we can address the bullying,” said Springfield Middle School principal Jane Berger.

The program at Springfield Middle School has been so successful that the district has adopted it for every middle school in Battle Creek.

The government has also set up a site to help both parents and children deal with bullying. You can find that site here.