Farrand Students Push Back Against Bullying

Fourth- and fifth-graders at are pushing back against bullying and on Tuesday they shared their tactics with Michigan schools superintendent Michael Flanagan, who visited the school.

The students are part of the "Bully Busters," a group of about 45 students who volunteer to detect and report instances of bullying at the school and serve as mentors to younger students.

Flanagan said he was impressed by the school's effort and will try to encourage implementation of the program at a statewide level.

Farrand Principal Troy Reehl said that since implementing the program this year to address reports of bullying, the building has seen results — and the kids love it.

"We wanted to make sure it was a positive experience for kids," Reehl said. "We wanted to make sure it was well-planned before we rolled it out."

Reehl said the school has seen decreased reports of school bullying.

Farrand counselor Dani Evans said it is important to each students the seriousness of bullying while they're young and able to shape their behaviors, and the program teaches life skills such as conflict resolution.

"They can take that and use that the rest of their lives," Evans said.