A Waterford Elementary sixth-grader recently turned upset into action when he created an anti-bullying club for fifth and sixth graders at the school. After run-ins with some bullies, Michael Gardner decided to tackle prevention with Let’s Stop Bullying (L.S.B.) He said other students jumped on board to help and with their regular meetings and discussions, as well as some positive messages on the walls, he has seen an increase in positive behavior.

Gardner, 12, said he not only wants to look out for himself but for his classmates and his younger brother, Cooper, 11, who has autism.

“I do still worry about him getting bullied but with the club, I don’t worry as much,” he said.

Question: What is this club all about? What are the goals?

Answer: Basically what we do is meet once a week, every Thursday, so anyone who wants to talk can. It’s something we can do to get a little more positive atmosphere for the fifth and sixth grades. It’s about being friends and stopping bullying.

Q: How did you think of the idea for this club?

A: I was actually bullied. I was sitting down in my guidance counselor’s room and thinking about it and thought of making a non-bullying club.

Q: How did you make it happen from there?

A: I talked to the guidance counselor about the idea and she really liked it. Then we went to talk about it with the principal and she approved it. We basically had a few names and we decided to go with Let’s Stop Bullying, or L.S.B.

Q: How long have you had the club?

A: I would say about three months now.

Q: What was your experience with bullying?

A: It’s actually slowing down now. Before the club, a few kids would sometimes steal my lunch. They would also shove food into my face that I’m allergic to.

Q: You said it’s slowed down. What kind of a difference do you think the club has made?

A: I think because of the club, bullying has actually decreased at the school. It’s really low now. I’d like to be able to do that for every grade, which we haven’t been able to do yet because recess time is the best time to meet.

Q: What are some of the things you actually do to decrease the bullying?

A: We make crafts that we put up on the walls to remind people (of the message). We just recently came up with the idea of having a sock hop for the fifth and sixth grade and that’s going to be on April 13. We also are going to put in a buddy bench that we’re going to put on the playground.

Q: What have some of the other students said about the club? Are you getting good feedback?

A: Yes, after we started putting stuff on the wall then people really noticed. One day, I was waiting for one of my friends at lunch who was late and these two very nice girls thought I was alone. They came to sit by me. So I think it’s working.

Q: How many members does the club have?

A: It’s a different amount that comes every day. It’s usually 13 or more.

Q: How did that experience you had with bullying make you feel?

A: It hurt my feelings. And they would take my food and I would be so, so hungry all day. I would always ask my mom to get me McDonald’s (after school) because I was really hungry. I definitely wanted to make sure no one else felt that way.

Kate York conducted this interview.

—

Michael Gardner

¯ Age: 12.

¯ School: Sixth grader at Waterford Elementary School.

¯ Residence: Palmer Township.

¯ Family: Parents Mike and Mary, two older brothers, younger brother Cooper, 11.