Emma Skinner is a great friend. She’s kind to her classmates and makes sure everyone feels included. But last spring, Emma did something she’d never done before. She was mean to a boy in her class.

Thankfully, Emma was just acting. She and other fourth-graders were filming public service announcements (PSAs) about bullying. PSAs are messages that teach people about important topics. 

The PSA Emma’s class made was about how to handle different bullying situations. In the video, Emma makes fun of another student’s artwork. The boy, Fulton Frehse, could have teased Emma right back. But instead, Fulton kindly tells Emma that he likes his drawing. He asks her to keep her opinion to herself. Then he walks away. That helps stop the situation from escalating.  

“I was really proud of the video and how hard our class worked together,” Emma says.

Emma and her classmates at Bronxville Elementary School in New York learned how to make a movie. Along the way, they also found out how to spot bullying and stop it.  

Emma Skinner is a great friend. She’s kind to her classmates. She makes sure everyone is included. But last spring, Emma did something she’d never done before. She was mean to a boy in her class.

Thankfully, Emma was just acting. She and other fourth-graders were filming public service announcements (PSAs) about bullying. PSAs are messages that teach people about important topics. 

Emma’s class made a PSA about how to handle different bullying situations. In the video, Emma makes fun of another student’s artwork. The boy, Fulton Frehse, could have teased Emma back. But Fulton kindly tells Emma that he likes his drawing. He asks her to keep her opinion to herself. Then he walks away. That helps stop the situation from escalating.  

“I was really proud of the video and how hard our class worked together,” Emma says.

Emma and her classmates attend Bronxville Elementary School in New York. They learned how to make a movie. Along the way, they also learned how to spot bullying and stop it.  

Many kids are affected by bullying. You’ve probably seen students teasing their classmates or excluding them. Maybe you’ve even experienced the mean behavior yourself. 

Supporting students who are bullied is important. But knowing what you should—and shouldn’t—do in different situations can be tricky (see “What Should You Do?”). That’s where the students’ PSAs came in. Their goal was to end bullying at their school once and for all.

“School should be a fun and safe place for kids,” Emma says.  

Many kids are affected by bullying. You may have seen students teasing or excluding others. Maybe you’ve experienced the mean behavior yourself. 

Supporting kids who are bullied is important. But knowing what to do in different situations can be tricky (see “What Should You Do?”). That’s where the students’ PSAs came in. Their goal was to end bullying at their school. 

“School should be a fun and safe place for kids,” Emma says.  

Each class partnered with a filmmaker named Mike Feurstein. He created a program called Don’t Wait to Unmake a Bully. As part of the program, Feurstein works with students across the country to create anti-bullying PSAs. 

First, Feurstein helped each class at Bronxville Elementary come up with topics for their PSAs. Many of the students’ ideas came from their own experiences. One class focused on the pressure to fit in with popular kids. Another dealt with the reasons why students might bully others.

Each class partnered with Mike Feurstein. He’s a filmmaker. He started a program called Don’t Wait to Unmake a Bully. Through the program, Feurstein works with students across the country. Together, they create anti-bullying PSAs. 

First, Feurstein helped each class at Bronxville Elementary think of topics for their PSAs. Many students’ ideas came from their own experiences. One class focused on the pressure to be popular. Another focused on the reasons why kids might bully others.

Next, the students worked together to write scripts. Then it was time to film the videos. Before long, the school was turned into a movie set. 

Each student had a special role. Some, like Emma, were actors. Others served as directors, camera operators, and more.

“It was really fun,” says Blair Zloto. She helped keep track of props and other parts of filming.

Feurstein then edited each class’s footage into a two-to-three-minute PSA. But it would be another few weeks before the kids got to see their work on the big screen.

Next, the students wrote scripts. Then it was time to film the videos. The school was turned into a movie set. 

Each student had a special role. Like Emma, some were actors. Others were directors, camera operators, and more.

“It was really fun,” says Blair Zloto. She organized props and other parts of filming.

Feurstein then edited each class’s footage. Each became a two-to-three-minute PSA. But the kids wouldn’t see their work on the big screen for another few weeks. 

Last June, school officials held a special premiere in the auditorium. The kids got dressed up and walked on a red carpet, just like movie stars do. Then the students watched the PSAs together for the first time. 

“It was really cool to see what the other classes did,” says student Luke Leavell. He was one of the directors.

Blair says the experience taught her a lot. Now she knows what to do if she sees students being teased or excluded.

“You can try to put a stop to it or tell a teacher,” Blair explains.

Emma learned an important lesson too.

“You can change a person’s day if you’re kind to them,” she says.

Last June, school officials held a special premiere. It was in the auditorium. The kids got dressed up. They walked on a red carpet, like movie stars do. Then the students watched the PSAs together. 

“It was really cool to see what the other classes did,” says student Luke Leavell. He was one of the directors.

Blair says she learned a lot. Now she knows what to do if she sees students being teased or excluded.

“You can try to put a stop to it or tell a teacher,” Blair explains.

Emma learned an important lesson too.

“You can change a person’s day if you’re kind to them,” she says.