NEWSWORTHY TRENDS Students Can Work To End Bullying

(NAPSI)-A unique program that teaches kids the value of kindness may help cut down on bullying in schools. The initiative comes at a time when the National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center reports that 13 percent of surveyed students in grades 6 to 10 reported bullying others and 11 percent reported being the target of bullies. Experts caution that high amounts of bullying can have dire consequences for all parties involved. For instance, bullying can cause children to suffer from depression and low self-esteem, and victims of bullies are often anxious or sometimes avoid school as a result. However, a program called the U-ACT Champion Program could help reverse a number of bullying trends by challenging kids to institute in-school programs that create caring communities and inspire them to be kind to one another. Examples could include hosting a special community fundraiser or recognizing the simple, everyday things students do to help each other succeed all year long. The initiative is sponsored by Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and is based on what the restaurant says are its core values of “Unbridled Acts,” where team members perform random acts of kindness and go above and beyond to help restaurant guests and other team members. Participants in the program will be required to implement activities inside and outside their schools based on a list of program criteria that demonstrate how they are bringing the “Unbridled” philosophy--engaging in acts of kindness--to life. At the end of the 2008-2009 school year, participating schools will compete for the chance to be named the U-ACT Champion School, one of two Award of Excellence Schools or one of seven Award of Merit Schools, which will earn the winning schools grants from $500 to $20,000. In addition, all winning schools will be invited to participate in a special school spirit night at a Red Robin restaurant. For more information or registration materials, visit www.redrobin.com and click on the U-ACT home page banner. A national program inspires students to say no to bullying.

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