Students, Community Members Take Anti-Bullying Pledge [VIDEO]

“I pledge to stand against bullying. I will not by a bully. I will say, ‘Stop!’ to the bully. I will report a bully.”

students in grades three through four as well as parents and other members of the community took this pledge on Thursday. The school held an anti-bullying rally, warning students of the dangers of bullying.

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Principal Laurelle Texidor said a survey showed that one in four Connecticut students said they were bullied in school during the 2009-2010 school year. Texidor said bullying can affect students’ health and make them less focused and active.

“One incident of bullying is too much,” she said. “And so we wanted to take a very proactive support to support our youngsters and our community in this endeavor.”

City Councilor Anthony Nolan, an officer with the , said bullying causes anxiety, stress, and a feeling of rejection. He said bullies can both physically or emotionally abuse someone.

“We should be friends in school. There’s no reason we should be enemies,” he said.

Nolan also spoke about cyberbullying, saying this can include harassment by cell phone as well as threatening or uncouth online messages. Nolan warned that such behavior can lead to consequences including suspension, expulsion, or arrest.

“You waste time when you make fun of someone, because it hurts their feelings and then you get in trouble for it,” he said.

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