Sometimes it takes a big name to tackle a big issue! Donald Driver speaks with kids about bullying



MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Sometimes it takes a big name to tackle a big issue! Green Bay Packers legend Donald Driver surprised students at a Milwaukee school on Wednesday, September 24th -- and discussed the issue of bullying, and how families can act now to help prevent it.

Students at the Jeremiah Curtin Leadership Academy in Milwaukee on Wednesday were applauded for taking part in "Act Now" -- a game-based anti-bullying program. District leaders say the percentage of students who say they've been bullied has dropped 60 percent, and the percentage of students who have bullied other students has been cut in half.

"And the last, that I am most proud of is the percent of students and adults that have tried to stop a bullying situation increased by 181 percent and and 61 percent respectively," MPS Acting Superintendent Darienne Driver said.

In fact, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin and Milwaukee Public Schools believe the "Act Now" program has gone so well, they're expanding the program to all students in the K-8 school.

"So the earliest grade levels can have the benefit of those prevention and redirection programs so we are not addressing those safety issues at the high school level," Steve Fernan with the Department of Public Instruction said.

For taking part in the program, and participating in the effort to put a stop to bullying, students at the Jeremiah Curtin Leadership Academy got some one-on-one time with Donald Driver. He offered some advice to these youngsters.

"If you are getting bullied, do not stand around and not say anything," Driver said.

Driver says bullying is a topic close to him, as he has recently penned a children's book titled "Quickie stands up to bullying."

"What we have to do is make sure that Quickie speaks up and Quickie takes a stand and he will take a stand in the book and tell his dad but also tell the counselor and the principal and the teacher because it needs to be addressed!" Driver said.

Since the "Act Now" program launched in 2010, more than 70,000 students have taken part in the program statewide. More than 100 school districts in Wisconsin are using it.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the Act Now program.

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