Excerpt 1
The taunts and teasing are vivid memories for Assata Washington, 12, of Atlanta, Georgia. When
she was in third grade, some of the girls in her class called her names because she wore glasses.
The situation was so bad, Assata didn't want to go to school. "I used to ask, 'Mommy, why do I
have to go?'" Assata says.
Assata was being bullied. Bullying is a constant problem in U.S. schools. At least one third of
children in the fourth to eighth grades say they have been bullied, according to recent studies.
Sometimes kids miss school to avoid bullies. There are ways to stop bullies. But kids don't always
do the most important thing--talk about it. Getting a teacher, parent, or other responsible adult
involved is very important. Assata told her mom and her teachers about her bullies. And her
teachers kept an eye out for her.
If you see bullying, you can also step up to help tell someone to stop. If you feel safe to do so.
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