Don't bully me

Yesterday marked the start of an anti-bullying program at Cambridge Springs Elementary School. (More information in this article from a few weeks ago in the Neighbors section of the Erie Times-News. By the way, it looks like the Times Publishing Co. won't be mailing the Neighbors sections to non-subscribers after this week. My guess is they won't gain very many subscriptions off of that move, unless they decide to cut off online access to the section as well.)

The article notes that the program works by encouraging "bystanders"—other children who witness the bullying—to confront the bully about their actions and stand up for the victim. It's not mentioned in the article whether these children get to administer an old-fashioned beatdown on the bully (I'm picturing the ancient Israelites gathering to stone a sinner), but I'm guessing that's probably not part of this innovative solution, which has proven effective in Norway.