Earlier this week, a few parents of students in the Tehachapi School District protested the prospect of their kids having to attend anti-bullying training in school this year.
The federally-mandated curriculum was put in place after the parents of Seth Walsh, a bully victim who committed suicide, sued the district.
We wanted to know what other area schools are doing to prevent bullying.
Officials with the Kern High School District said this is the first year it's required to report bullying. However, unlike Tehachapi, bullying prevention is not a mandatory part of the curriculum.
But, that's not stopping KHSD from making it part of class.
"Most of us have been bullied at some point," said Mike Bhone, Site Administrator at Nueva Continuation High School.
But, now there are federal rules to report bullying in school, and the Kern High School District is taking them seriously.
"We are now required by law as a mandated reporter, that if we see it or perceive it, we are required to report it," said Bhone.
But, most high schools are taking anti-bullying efforts beyond reporting and stressing prevention.
"We actually have been working on this for a couple of years," said Bhone.
All this week, Nueva Continuation High School is holding an anti-bullying program.
"We kind of made it fun. That's the whole thing, learning has to be fun in the high school," said Bhone.
The students have made posters, told stories, and spoke about bullying in classes, all as part of the prevention effort because their bullying policy is simple.
"There's a zero tolerance for that," said Bhone.
It's not the only school going for extra credit. Otis Jennings, Director of Pupil Personnel at KHSD, said all of the district's 29 schools have an anti-bullying policy and most have prevention programs.
"As students, when you feel safe you are more apt to learn," said Jennings.
"We want our people to be better citizens and be better people when they leave us," said Bhone.
