Bartlesville schools fight bullying

BARTLESVILLE, Okla. - A recent survey found 77-percent of students said they have been bullied mentally, verbally and physically.

According to State Representative Anastasia Pittman, last year Oklahoma school districts reported 259 cases of bullying that resulted in physical injury.

Now, a program in Bartlesville is trying to make a difference.

Karen Salge is a teacher at Woodrow Wilson Elementary School.

She said, "I noticed that we had a group of 4th and 5th grade students that were very involved in social aggression with each other and I could see the progression of our boys becoming more physically aggressive."

Out of that concern, the Peaceful Warrior Program began.

Positive outside influences are brought in to help both students and teachers.

Bishop Glenn Dickenson, with the Great First Baptist Church, speaks frankly with the boys.

He said, "I know for a fact that a lot of the time that should be used in education is lost because of negative interaction with the kids, sometimes fighting, sometimes bullying. So, I try to add a spiritual component to that to help kids understand and relate to themselves, knowing who they are and not letting anyone else define who they are."

Stephen Walden is the program coordinator at the Westside Community Center where Peaceful Warriors began.

Walden said, "We tell them that somebody will control them. Their parents, police, principles, somebody will control them at some point if they can't control themselves. That's the essence of the program, teaching enough self-control and mental strength to avoid any of these problems."

Brad Johnson takes the boys outside for an exercise in teamwork.

He picks the groups with the idea someone might have to work with a bully or someone they don't like or trust.

The goal is to learn to communicate and work together.

Johnson said, "A lot of kids are taught if someone starts a fight you have to finish it, and we're trying to come through and say, there doesn't have to be a fight at all."

Teachers say the kids look forward to the Peaceful Warriors visits and it is working.

So far, they have visited four elementary schools in Bartlesville.

They hope to expand the program to other schools.

There is also a program for the young ladies called Graceful Girlfriends.

For more information, log onto the Westside Community Center website.