Main Message: This Project Cornerstone book of the month asks kids to take action against bullying behavior and not just be a bystander but be an UP-stander.

Your Silence is Your Agreement. Speak up, Type up! Say or Do Something!

Say Something is a story about a child who sees and hears teasing, put-downs, pushing, exclusion and other forms of bully behavior at her school. Confused about what to do, she doesn’t do anything. Her response changes as she gains understanding and empathy and realizes that doing nothing is passive acceptance and also can be more stressful than taking action. This short book’s message to “say something” is delivered with sensitivity and purpose. It is a call to action for all of us to move from the role of bystander to the integrity-rich role of being an UP-stander.

Ask your child to share with you the meaning of being an UP-stander and if there was a situation at school where they helped another child by being an UP-stander.

Here are some ways to be an Up-stander:

• Say “That’s not cool” to bully behavior
• Go stand by the targeted child of the bully behavior – this is called ‘getting sticky’
• Ask him/her to play
• Tell him/her “Don’t take the bait!”
• Help him/her to walk away
• Stand up for him/her
• Get an adult if there is a physical threat

Maybe you can share your own experience of being an Up-stander with your child. 

You can also help your child take the 5-day challenge Ask your child to say hello, smile or greet another student who they don’t know or looks like they might need a ‘sticky friend’ for 5 days in a row and see what happens:

Ask your child to say hello, smile or greet another student who they don’t know or looks like they might need a ‘sticky friend’ for 5 days in a row and see what happens:

• Day 1: The child might not trust you
• Day 2: They might still think you’re a little crazy
• Day 3: They might actually think you’re serious
• Day 4: They might say hello back
• Day 5: More smiles and hellos can be shared until you get to know and trust each other

By having these conversation with your child you will be affirming your love and support. Let’s continue to encourage our children to use the language from this book all year long.

About Project Cornerstone There are 41 Asset Building Characteristics which have been identified to be cornerstones in making children feel safe and that they belong. Project Cornerstone has found that the more of these characteristics which a child develops and feels good about, the less they are influenced or will participate in at-risk behavior.

For more information on Project Cornerstone or Asset Building Characteristics please visit www.projectcornerstone.org.