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Students unveil 'Be the Change' anti-bullying campaign and district rollout
Summary
A student-led multimedia campaign called 'Be the Change' was presented Sept. 29 to Modesto City Schools' board. The initiative pairs student videos with PBIS and character-trait work and includes incentives, a website and social-media promotion to reduce bullying and increase student engagement.
Students and district staff introduced 'Be the Change' at the Sept. 29 board meeting as a districtwide, student-led campaign to reduce bullying, increase belonging and promote positive behavior.
Speakers from the district described the program as aligned with the district vision and PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports). The campaign centers on student-produced video content, monthly character-trait themes, and site-level activities intended to give students agency over school culture. Student representatives Juliana Garcia and Sabrina Tour narrated the keynote video and described plans for student leadership through 'Be the Change' clubs, lunch events and social-media outreach.
Multiple short videos were shown: a district promo edited by students, a bullying-focused clip produced by students in the Video Production Network (VPN) at Johansson High School, and elementary-level 'Actions Matter' spots. Nick Garcia (VPN teacher) and student producers explained the videos aim to make peer-to-peer norms visible and offer concrete examples—keeping hands to oneself, respectful bathroom behavior, and bystander support. The production work earned recognition; student editors were credited and one student’s clip had been shortlisted in state-level competitions.
Board members and the public praised the student work. Trustees asked how the campaign will address micro-bullying (short, verbal jabs students call ‘jokes’) and whether staff will receive tools to respond. Superintendent Dr. Petrago said she is visiting sites and will provide a bullying-focused presentation and resources; a director said the district will expand PBIS incentives and site-level supports and that the campaign will be used to amplify student voice rather than replace adult-led interventions.
MTA and CSEA representatives at the meeting said they will bring related staff concerns (classroom safety, disciplinary consistency) to the Oct. 20 board meeting; district leaders said they welcome that input as complementary to 'Be the Change.'
The board did not vote on the campaign. District staff listed immediate next steps: student-led monthly content, a central hub on the district website, incentives for exemplary sites and continued training for staff to address micro-bullying. Trustees requested follow-up showing metrics the district will use to track reductions in bullying and increases in student engagement.
