News: Countryside Elementary Students Learn to be Unafraid of Bullies

"I Am Unafraid" with Dr. Jay Banks from LCPS-TV on Vimeo.


(Nov. 16, 2012) - Students at Countryside Elementary learned they no longer have to be afraid of bullies during two assemblies last month featuring Dr. Jay Banks in the school’s multi-purpose room. Banks presented his “I am Unafraid” program, which empowers students over bullies and bullying situations.


Banks, who has visited schools in 44 states and appeared on Nickelodeon and PBS, shared strategies with students for “becoming unafraid.” His high-energy mix of music, comedy and animated story-telling engrossed every student in attendance.

Banks began his research-based “STAMP-OUT Bullying” program more than 12 years ago. With the emergence of Positive Behavior Intervention & Supports (PBIS), which 52 LCPS schools incorporate into their curriculum, the anti-bullying program transitioned into a four-point strategy embodied into an easily remembered acronym, “I am Unafraid.”

Burns taught the students to:

• A – Avoid bullies. 
• F – Find a friend. 
• R – Report bullying. 
• A – Act confident.