The Price of Silence

It is wrong to stay quiet when you see someone being bullied. It is hard to stand up to a bully - especially if the bully is one of the school leaders. Some people worry that if they speak up, they will be the next person to be the target of the bully. But, when one person speaks out against a bully, it empowers others to do the same thing.

How did you feel at first when everyone was circling around the victim and shouting? What was your reaction when the first student came forward? Have you ever been in a position where you got to stand up for someone else? How did it make you feel?

Stop Cyberbullying

Recently, our school held an assembly on cyberbullying. It seems to be a problem that is growing worse! Ryan Halligan was in 8th grade when he committed suicide, after several years of bullying at school and online. His father, John Halligan, speaks to students across the country about his son in the hopes of preventing this from happening to anyone else. John has been outspoken about the need for more education and prevention of bullying, cyber bullying and teen suicide throughout the United States and Canada. His son’s story and his accomplishments in response to this tragedy have been told world-wide by print, radio and TV.



After watching this video, I want you to think about how Ryan must have felt. Then, answer this question: If you knew that someone was being cyberbullied, what could you do to help?