Dozens of kids sign anti-bullying pledge

Kids promise to help reduce bullying in their schools

By Kimberly Foley

CREATED Feb. 15, 2013

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Omaha, NE-- Every day, 160,000 kids stay home from school because they're afraid they will be bullied. 

On Friday night, students here in Omaha became part of the solution. They said their hope is that kids will eventually come together instead of standing apart.

Dozens of kids signed a pledge promising to do their best to limit bullying in their schools.

"You should treat others the way you want to be treated," said Araya Dinges, a 7th grader at Andersen Middle School.

Dinges said many of peers don't follow the golden rule.

"I've heard inappropriate language at my school," said Dinges. "I feel that's very disrespectful and sometimes it makes me want to cry."

Dinges was joined by dozens of other kids at SkateDaze for an event called 'Erase Hate & Skate.' Students signed an anti-bully pledge. 

Missy Fischer said the event was about promoting kindness and friendship.

"Bullying is so destructive from the inside out," said Fischer. "If you don't touch a child's heart, then how are they going to have a physical presence on the outside? That's (why) they're acting out with social media and violence. We need to touch their hearts, and it starts as a child."

Dinges said she hopes the event changes the minds and hearts of those who stood up to bullies on Friday.

"People shouldn't be treated that way," said Dinges. "We are all human. We are all creatures of God. We are all the same. We may not have the same features or the same culture. We may not have the same skin color, but that doesn't mean we are different in any way."

About 80 kids signed the pledge on Friday night.

For more statistics on bullying, follow these links:

http://www.risk-within-reason.com/2012/03/06/bullying-facts-statistics/

http://www.makebeatsnotbeatdowns.org/facts_new.html