Bullying is next topic for Teen Connection

How safe are students in Wisconsin’s classrooms? The next “Teen Connection” will examine the prevalence of bullying in Wisconsin schools, as well as spotlight several school districts with initiatives to end bullying and foster a safe learning environment. The program “School Safety” will air on public television stations statewide at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17, and be streamed live online at www.wpt.org/teenconnection. The program will take viewers to Ashwaubenon High School to see how Rachel’s Challenge (named for Rachel Scott, the first student killed at Columbine) has educated students on the negative effects of bullying and inspired them to promote acts of kindness. Viewers will also hear how The Alliance School, a charter school in the Milwaukee Public School system, provides a safe place for students regardless of sexuality, identity, appearance, ability or beliefs. The live, call-in program will address the psychological origins of bullying with featured guests: UW-La Crosse Prof. Betty DeBoer; Steve Fernan of the Wisconsin DPI; and several Wisconsin teens. “Teen Connection” originates from the studios of Educational Television Productions of Northeast Wisconsin (ETP-NEW) on the UW-Green Bay campus.