ALEXANDRIA — Bullying is probably as old as school itself. But two Campbell County elementary schools hope to break the trend.

        Highland Heights Elementary School and Alexandria Elementary School have joined with the Northern Kentucky Independent District Health Department to implement an anti-bullying program.

        “Steps to Respect” attempts to teach students not to bully others and to help those who are being bullied.

        “Bullying seems to be a right of passage,” said Kriste Swanson, family resource coordinator for Highland Heights Elementary School. “I think we're finally addressing it. I don't think in these particular schools it's any worse than anywhere else, but it does happen here.”

        The program is offered for free. Senior Health Educator Jodi Christerson will spend several weeks at each school teaching lessons to students and the curriculum to teachers.

        “It will be ongoing,” said Marcy Huff, family resource coordinator for Alexandria Elementary School. “They leave the curriculum and our teachers incorporate it in the future.”

        Ms. Christerson said the three key elements of the program are recognizing, refusing and reporting. The lessons are taught to third-, fourth- and fifth-graders.

        “We're hoping things implemented at this grade level will carry through to later years,” said Ms. Huff.

        Part of the program is about accountability. Each school is required to form a policy defining consequences of bully behavior.

        “I think if more schools incorporate a policy into their discipline, I think these lessons will stick,” said Ms. Christerson.

        Another important aspect is reporting. As much as this program focuses on those bullying and those being bullied, it also looks at the children who see what's happening. Those children, along with those being bullied, can help curb the problem by telling an adult.

        Ms. Christerson said the differences between tattling and reporting must be understood. She said teachers can expect a large increase of reports early on but they subside.

        “For a lot of students, this has been happening for a long time,” she said. “And this may be the first time they are comfortable telling an adult.”

        Ms. Swanson says bystanders need to help, too.

        “For those who hang out and watch, this emphasizes that they should step up and speak out,” she said. “There's an effort to make sure these bystanders don't let others get hurt.”

        The program began locally last year. St. Cecelia School in Independence, Silver Grove Elementary School, Glenn O. Swing Elementary School in Covington and Children's Inc. day camp all used it in 2001. Ms. Christerson said it's been a success so far , but the true test will be in the long term.

        “I anticipate there will be parents who will be upset their child was disciplined, who will see it as normal behavior,” she said.

        Schools interested in “Steps to Respect” can call Ms. Christerson at (859) 341-4264.

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