Signal Mountain

DARE Program Takes on Bullying

WRCB TV - Channel 3 - November 2006

Recent studies say 160,000 children in the U.S. miss school each day as a result of being bullied. That's why the DARE program, which once focused on drugs and alcohol is expanding to educate children about bullying.

Officer Greg Hill of the Signal Mountain Police Department is a longtime DARE officer with a new message.

Officer Hill says, "And one of the things we talked about is stick up for your friend who is being bullied."

The new DARE program has just been introduced at Thrasher Elementary School, and Officer Hill says 5th grade is a good time to stop the spread of bullying.

Greg Hill says, "DARE has come up with safe ways to report bullying like sending an e-mail to your principal or teacher. Or dropping a note to them. Or use a note in the school library book returns."

Some kids aren't sure when to report bullying or whom to tell...until now.

Houston McLain says, "You got tell a teacher....they'll take care of it."

The updated DARE curriculum also tackles 21st century bullying...which is no longer limited to verbal, emotional, or physical contact.

Greg Hill says, "Through email, instant messaging, they talk about another student."

Through essays, work sheets and classroom training, officer Hill and other school resource officers believe they're making a difference... helping students understand that bullying doesn't have to be tolerated.

Officer Hill says "A lot of them now better understand they can safely report it."

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