Hundreds Unite Against Bullying
Former Packer Gilbert Brown and a screening of an anti-bullying documentary were featured at the inaugural event of nonprofit group Greendale Against Bullying.
Before he became the memorable nose tackle on the Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers team, "The Gravedigger" Gilbert Brown was something else: bullied.
He was known as the "fat kid," and teased often about his weight by other students at school.
But even though he knows a thing or two about being bullied, he admitted prior to speaking at Greendale Against Bullying's inaugural event Wednesday that today's cyber harassment is even more intense.
"They take it to a new level," Brown said.
Brown spoke to hundreds of students and adults who filled the Greendale High School auditorium to watch a version of the award-winning documentary "Bully."
The documentary, released in 2011, follows the lives of five students who faced bullying every day in school. Shown Wednesday was CNN's slighty-abbreviated program about the kids featured in the film.
Some 4,200 fliers promoting the event were distributed around Greendale. GAB members also advertised beyond the village's borders in neighboring schools like Whitnall, Greenfield, Franklin and Oak Creek.
About 200 students from Milwaukee Public Schools were on hand Wednesday as well.
"We're for the community. Not just Greendale—we're here for everybody," said Vickie Hausmchild, a GAB board member and MPS liaison.
GAB formed after a 17-year-old made a bomb threat during homecoming week and later told police he wanted to disrupt homecoming activities due to prolonged bullying.
The Greendale School District also formed a task force focused on culture and climate issues in schools. The group made several recommendations earlier this year.
Brown believes tougher penalties should be enforced on those who bully. He said he got involved with the anti-bullying cause after hearing about bullied children commit suicide.
"It doesn't matter how big you are, or how strong you are. People in the workplace get bullied too, which is amazing to me," Brown said.
"I'm here to show these kids that regardless of what you're going through, we're going to help you, or try to help you, and help you succeed in life."
Help Our Kids
1:41 pm on Thursday, March 21, 2013
The GAB is doing great work and I applaud their efforts.
Now what about an administration that let bullying go on and ignored state statutes.
https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/118/46
frominthebubble
2:52 pm on Thursday, March 21, 2013
Come on HOC. It was a good program, done well. Let's give credit where it is earned and due. Please, let's leave the politics out of this event and just enjoy the moment- together.
Concerned Parent
2:55 pm on Thursday, March 21, 2013
Here are some links to the policies in the district on bullying and harassment:
http://www.greendale.k12.wi.us/resources/411-Discrimination-Students-Revisions.pdf
http://www.greendale.k12.wi.us/resources/Policy-411.1.pdf
http://www.greendale.k12.wi.us/resources/411-2-Bullying.pdf
Bullying Taskforce Report:
http://www.greendale.k12.wi.us/12-13/resources/FinalTaskForceReport12-21.pdf
Concerned Parent
2:56 pm on Thursday, March 21, 2013
From what I can tell from our policies and how situations have been handled. I don't see any blatant non following of the state statues. And if there was, the state probably would have come down on the district pretty severely.
Help Our Kids
3:03 pm on Thursday, March 21, 2013
Did you note the dates that these policies were to be in place by?
Years ago.
Mary
4:12 pm on Thursday, March 21, 2013
Hooray for Greendale Against Bullying. The school taskforce was a public relations stunt. GAB is serious about solving the problem.
Katie Mevis is part of GAB. Vote Mevis for board of education
Jason Patzfahl
11:10 pm on Thursday, March 21, 2013
Katie Mevis volunteered for GAB, but Kathleen Wied-Vincent is on the GAB Board...but I guess you will just ignore that little fact because it doesn't fit your agenda. All of the incumbents and challengers are nice, competent people, but at least Wied-Vincent has educational experience and has developed an entire career around helping children and students, as has Dr. Slota, Mel Kaz., and nobody cares more about our schools in Greendale than V. McCormick. It's a tough choice, but unlike most of the anonymous commentators on the gossip line here, I have NOT made up my mind of who to vote for - Because we have only had one real candidate forum, which I attended, and I bet NONE of the negative ninnies on here did!
I asked my questions in person, did you? I still have more though, like: Who are you supporting for Superintendent of Public Instruction of Wisconsin? What do you think of allowing teachers to conceal carry in our classrooms? What do you think of the Governor's budget, which freezes money for public schools, but allows for more of our tax dollars to go to charters and private religious schools?
You do know that if you show up to a public meeting or forum you can ask questions, right? Try it some time...it'll change your whole skewed perspective on the GSD.
Fred Mullin
5:46 pm on Thursday, March 21, 2013
Congratulations to GAB. Thank you for taking the lead on this important issue. It is so humbling to see people actually stand up and take action. Too often, we get leaders who are paralyzed by fear, hide in their office and play with their iPad.
frominthebubble
8:01 pm on Thursday, March 21, 2013
Come on Fred and Mary. You're hiding behind congratulating GAB while you taunt the school district.- Wait, isn't taunting a form of bullying?
Jason Patzfahl
11:23 pm on Thursday, March 21, 2013
"Fred Mullin" (not his real name) is the biggest cyber bully on the Greendale Patch. I assume you didn't go to the movie screening or you would have learned something tonight.
And Fred, Dr. Tharp is not hiding in his office playing on his ipad. I see him at every single school-related event that I go to - and then some. Maybe you are there too (doubt it) but since you hide in anonymity, I will never know.
FYI: The district office is trying to go paperless, hence the reason why everyone on the board (including Dr. Tharp) uses their ipad at meetings. Now can you drop that.
FYI #2: From what I understand, Dr. Tharp entered into an agreement with GAB to allow them access to the schools and students as an alternative to the school's anti-bullying campaign in case a student felt they needed to go outside the district. It was a responsible thing to do.
Did you learn anything tonight?
Help Our Kids
11:24 am on Friday, March 22, 2013
From what you understand doesnt make it fact. Also your comments are just as spitefull towards people as anybody elses.
Where was all this concern 2-3 years ago when the young man whom exposed this problem needed it?
Mike Itzenhuiser
6:47 pm on Thursday, March 21, 2013
Dredhuns untie against dyslexia!!!!
Roxy momma
8:19 am on Friday, March 22, 2013
Jason- no agreement entered Tharp charged the GAB group $400+to use the space(could have donated it as a community effort insupport) - didn't make announcements for the event at the school, look at the school/district web site didn't have anything mentioned there wouldn't allow posters to be put up - all things were asked for but denied. GAB didn't denie Tharp the opportunity to speak.
Kerry Turner
10:46 am on Friday, March 22, 2013
We were so pleased with the event. I cannot expressed my sincere appreciation enough to all who helped us. We are very committed to this cause and only look forward to our future events. I was so proud of our village on Wednesday night.
Bob
2:09 pm on Friday, March 22, 2013
Jason supports the board incumbents and Dr. Tharp. Just get over it and let him be on that/ He can have his own opinion.
If Tharp charged GAB 400 bucks, the board members he support could change that if they wanted to. Time will tell. Thoughts?
Help Our Kids
2:37 pm on Friday, March 22, 2013
Everyone has their own opinion, that’s the point, if it’s not to his liking then use name calling and assumptions. Very hypocritical.
Is there some proof GAB was charged $400?
And what event was cancelled last Sept that cost the school $2600 in lost revenue?
Yes the school administration was asked with no response.