Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Tom Weber
St. Paul, Minn.

Students lead charge against bullying in schools

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Several student-led events against bullying are taking place this week across Minnesota.

One such event called "Stand Up, Speak Out" was hosted Tuesday night at the Blake School in Minneapolis.

DFL State Senator Scott Dibble, Dist. 60, is encouraged that many such efforts are being led by the students who experience or see bullying in schools, but he says that doesn't excuse adults from addressing the problem.

" We're the ones who take responsiblity for what goes on in our schools," Dibble said. "I think the kids are showing the way, and it's incumbent upon us to follow their lead. Otherwise, we're just abdicating our role."

Dibble is sponsoring legislation to bolster Minnesota's anti-bullying law, currently one of the weakest in the nation.

One version of that measure was vetoed in 2009 by then-Gov. Tim Pawlenty. Another was voted down this spring by the Republican-led state Senate.

Minneapolis South High School senior Camille Koosmann believes her school addresses bullying pretty well, but also that it's important for even those schools to stay focused.

"It's really important that schools that are doing better show support to schools that need help, or really to just band together," Koosman said. "Because it's not a small community thing. Everybody needs to band together and deal with it."

The Minnesota-based PACER center, which advocates on behalf of kids with disabilities, encourages students to wear orange Wednesday in support of students who are bullied, in an event called 'Unity Day."