In the News

Featuring information on preventing bullying of students with disabilities.
By: Julie Hertzog, Director PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center, and Maureen Perkins, Health Resources and Services Administration

Unity Day is Wednesday, October 19. PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center started Unity Day in 2011. The purpose of Unity Day is to demonstrate that we are together against bullying. We are united for kindness, acceptance and inclusion of all students.

Get involved! Wear and share the color ORANGE on Unity Day! Join in sending one large ORANGE message of support, hope, and unity so that all students feel safe and supported.

Did you know that a student with a disability is two to three times more likely to be bullied? Bullying can affect a student’s physical and emotional health, and it can interfere with a student’s right to receive an education. PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center offers resources for all students, with specific resources for students with disabilities.

Read the full blog post.

Miami Dolphins alumni Troy Drayton, Lousaka Polite and Twan Russell and cheerleaders Etta, Kristan and Rachael, in partnership with United Way and PACER, hosted a Hometown Huddle at Bob Graham Education Center on Oct. 18. The group hosted a Gatorade Junior Training Camp as the students participated in several fitness-orientated stations and learn the benefits of hydration and staying physically active.

“Today we’re partnering with United Way and PACER for this tremendous event. Tomorrow is Unity Day, so we’re out here showing the kids a good time and we’re also delivering an anti-bullying message,” Miami Dolphins alum and Youth Programs Manager Troy Drayton said. “So today’s a special day for us. It’s just a part of what we do and a part of the Miami Dolphins being in the community.”

Additionally, a UNITY station was added in honor of UNITY day. The kids pledged against bullying and created crafts using positive words. The Dolphins are working closely with PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center to spread awareness of bullying prevention and to celebrate Unity Day to be united for kindness, acceptance and inclusion. PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center, which initiated National Bullying Prevention Month and Unity Day, encourages students, parents, teachers, community members, schools and organizations to wear and share orange to support those who experience bullying.

Learn more about the academy.

PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center (NBPC) is proud to partner with MarVista Entertainment on the newly released Loserville. This captivating teen film follows a high school outcast named Chuck as he navigates the wild and confusing days of his senior year.

Chuck’s plan to capture the heart of his dream girl Melissa, by befriending her younger sister Mary, is complicated by the fact that a video of Mary is the talk of the school. Loserville gives an insightful, unique look at teen life and the issues faced by youth. It’s full of poignant, authentic moments, while sensitively tackling and helping the viewer understand the important issue of bullying.

“We want to thank the cast, crew, and producers for this sensitive look at the issue of bullying,” said Julie Hertzog, director of PACER’s NBPC. “It is our hope that the movie will be a conversation starter for a kinder and more inclusive and accepting world.”

On #UnityDay2016, Oct. 19, members of the Loserville team will be promoting Unity Day by sending one loud orange message of support through social media with photos and videos! See all of #TeamLoserville’s #UnityDay video messages.

For more information about Loserville, visit www.loservillefilm.com or follow Loserville on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @LoservilleFilm.

Schairer’s Autumn Acres in Birnamwood, Wisc., is incorporating the Spookley Farm Program into its activities this season. Spookley, a square pumpkin in a round pumpkin world, is the official Spokespumpkin of PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Month.

The story is incorporated into the farm’s smaller corn maze for young children, as well as other family activities. Karen Shairer talked about the farm’s bullying prevention efforts on WSAW, the CBS affiliate in Wausau, Wisc.

The Spookley Farm Program is part of an educational toolkit created by PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center to complement The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin by Joe Troiano.

I was in sixth grade, eating lunch with a friend I wanted to impress, when another girl from our class came over to compliment my shirt. Instead of responding with gratitude, I made an insulting, unkind comment about her body. The next day, I discovered from a teacher the damage I had done to that girl. I had acted like a bully.

Or had I? Some professionals may not have defined my action as bullying but rather as meanness, for it was a single comment – cruel nevertheless – delivered on only one occasion. But could it have turned into something more had a caring teacher not stepped into the picture?

Julie Hertzog, Director of PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center was interviewed for this article written by teen author, Sydney Pope.

Read the article.

Cyberbullying impacts millions of kids around the world. It’s time to #RaiseOurVoices because our words have the power to help heal. Norton has created this powerful film to encourage starting the important conversation with your child about online bullying. Visit the website.

Miss America’s Outstanding Teen is supporting National Bullying Prevention Month with a nationwide effort to wear orange on Unity Day. In conjunction with MAOTeen’s #BeSelfless campaign, which challenges kids to post fewer selfies on social media and share more selfless acts of kindness instead, MAOTeen titleholders from across the country will wear orange on Unity Day, October 19, and post “orange” photos on social media to show support for those who have experienced bullying.

“Using the hashtags #UnityDay2016 and #BeSelfless, we can help to create a supportive community on social media that is united for kindness, acceptance and inclusion,” says Nicole Jia, Miss America’s Outstanding Teen 2017. Additional information about the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen organization can be found at www.maoteen.org.

OH MY DISNEY celebrates #ChooseKindness with this video featuring clips from favorite Disney moments to the tune of “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me.”

Watch the clip.

Loserville takes place during Chuck MacDonald’s (Chris Bellant) senior year in high school, which isn’t living up to even his limited expectations. He is humiliated because his mom Evelyn (Stanchfield) is dating his gym teacher, Coach Casey Harris (McGorry). His true love, Melissa (Natalie Hall), barely acknowledges his existence. And his plan to win Melissa over by befriending her sister, Mary (Sarah Jes Austell) gets complicated by bullying that’s the talk of the school.

“It is a really unique take on the teen movie genre, and it’s full of laughter,” Ramirez tells Parade.com of the film that marks her producing debut. “It’s very funny, and while it’s full of laughs, it’s also tackling really important issues like bullying, identity, and self-expression faced by teens today. I think it really will resonate, and it’s a very inclusive cast, I’m proud to say, and so I’m just really excited about it.”

Loserville, currently in theaters and available on VOD, in partnership with PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center, will celebrate the 10th anniversary of National Bullying Prevention Month this October.

See the full article in Parade | Order the shirt

A recent blog on StopBullying.gov recognizes October as national Bullying Prevention Month marking the 10th anniversary of its initiation by PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center. StopBullying.gov is a federal government website managed by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. These federal partners in bullying prevention ask that everyone take time this month to become more aware of the serious consequences of bullying and to learn more about what you can do prevent bullying.

Read the full blog.