RCMS Run Club Officially Underway

This afternoon we had our first RCMS Run Club meeting...and it was awesome.  We had 23 students, staff, and parents come out to join us for a few laps and a lot of laughs.  Hopefully our little club will continue to grow in popularity.

I want to share with you a true story about one of our run club members.  Since this member is a minor, I'll call this person "KT" to protect their identity.

KT is a student at RCMS who unfortunately got into a little trouble today and as a result had to spend some quality time in front of me (the AP).  See, KT decided to make a rather hurtful remark about another person in our school today, and really hurt that person's feelings.  Offenses of this nature just don't sit well with me, so we had our little chat.

During the course of our conversation, KT told me that they had signed up for the running club, and I told KT that while I'm glad they signed up, I am even more disappointed about their actions, as this can be construed as a form of bullying...something our running club is very much against (obviously).

When I saw KT later at run club, KT told me "I really didn't want to be here today."  I asked "Why not?" and KT responded, "I'm a little tired and I really just didn't feel like running.  But as I thought about what I did earlier today, I just felt like I should be here."

I couldn't help but smile and give KT a little fist bump. 

TC

Attention dailymile Members

For those of you who are dailymile members, I want to invite you to join the Buddy Up Against Bullying Virtual 5K challenge.

If you are unfamiliar with dailymile, it is a social media site where runners, walkers, cyclists, and swimmers can log information about their workouts.  As a part of the site, you can create or join "challenges" as well.  In setting up the Buddy Up challenge on dailymile, I really just wanted to give folks a place to post their times...and it is another way of spreading the word.

Thank you one and all for your continued support...and keep spreading the word.

TC

Do You Like A Good Flash Mob?

On January 20, hundreds of kids from 17 different schools in Vancouver British Columbia got together and pulled off this really cool flash mob at a hockey game.  The best part is this was a way to spread their message of acceptance.

The final credit reads:

Acceptance

Spread the Word

Help Stop Bullying

Support Pink Shirt Day

February 27, 2013

We're on the same team here with these kids, and I encourage all of our "Buddies" out there to support Pink Shirt Day on February 27.  Now...check out their video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IT4qzVWGU8w

You too can have a "Buddy Up 5K"!

Here we are with just about 7 weeks to go.  Wowsers!  It will be here before we know it.  :)

I wanted to talk about a post on our Facebook page.  One of our "buddies" commented they wished they had something like our run where they are in the Virgin Islands.  (Actually, we get quite a few comments like this when people hear about "Buddy Up".)  First of all, how wild would it be to have worldwide "Buddy Up 5Ks" everywhere?!  In our planning, we are talking about doing something bigger next year (*fingers crossed*), but to go worldwide, would be just unbelievable and would have taken our movement to a whole other level.  Just... amazing.  :)

Like it says on our  "About Buddy Up" blog page, this really just started with a conversation.  In the most simplistic way of defining it, it was two people who came together and decided to make it happen.  We were both talking about bullying, both sharing our interests in running, and from there, it really was just details.  We got the respective support of the school Administration and the Chief of Police, and we were off. 

The thing is, "Buddy Up" doesn't have to be a 5K.  It could be a jump rope event, a silly dress up day, or even a get together to beautify the school day, whatever you can to bring people together.  The most important thing is having the kids take some ownership outside of the classroom.  They have to feel they are not alone and empowered to speak up.  Doing an event together, with a buddy or buddies, does just that and continues to spread awareness against bullying. 

We haven't had our event yet, and are still working through it, but we are more than happy to share what we've learned thus far.  Hmm... maybe when this is all done, we'll post a pic of our "planning wall" and add a  "Step by Step - The TomKat Way of Planning a 5K" page to the blog.  That will be interesting to see. Lol.  :)

Until next time...
Keep downloading!  -->  Buddy Up 5K Race Bib



- KC

Buddy Up Against Bullying Movement Is Spreading

It's been just about 5 full days now since we launched our blog page, and in that time we've had just over 500 views.  Not too shabby!

The part that amazes us the most though is the fact that we are getting views from folks from not only right here in the United States, but also in Canada, Germany, Italy, and Australia as well.  Again...not too shabby.

I hope that as we gain more followers from around the globe, we are also getting downloads of our bib.

Speaking of our bib...if you are a supporter of Buddy Up and just cannot wait for March 16 to get here, feel free to go ahead and download the bib and pin it on for an upcoming race!  No harm in getting the word out early!

Thank you one and all for your continued support.

TC

Buddy Up Blog Gets Some Love

Special thanks to Beth from Shut Up & Run for giving Buddy Up a shout out on her blog today.  

Her virtual run in February of 2012 was the inspiration for the Buddy Up Against Bullying Virtual 5K.  We appreciate not only her inspiration, but also the support she has shown us since day one.

Humbled & Thrilled

I really cannot find the words right now to adequately express my gratitude for the support being given to our cause.  Almost everyone I've spoken to has responded with, "What can I do to help?"  From friends I've known my entire life, to folks I've just met in the last 24 hours.  The outpouring of love over what we are doing is almost overwhelming. 

Your support means so much to not only to me and Officer Christian...but to the students of RCMS, and far beyond our campus to the students of our nation.  I am so excited to know how many (give or take a few thousand) participate in the Virtual 5K.  Keep spreading the word for us.

Thank you just doesn't seem like enough.  But thank you.

TC

Holy Running Shoes Batman!

I cannot believe I'm saying this, but I just invited The First Lady to join us on March 16.  While we'd love to host her on our campus, I can see where that might create an unanticipated traffic situation.  Perhaps she'll at least take part in the Virtual 5K.  Stay tuned!

Buddy Up on Social Media

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Welcome To Our Blog

Hello there!  My name is Tom Campbell, Assistant Principal at Reedy Creek Middle School in Cary, North Carolina.  On behalf of myself and Officer Katherine Christian (our School Resource Officer) I want to welcome you to the Buddy Up Against Bullying blog.  Additionally, I want to say thank you for supporting our efforts to keep the conversation about bullying on the front burner.

While you're here, please take a look around to learn the backstory of how Buddy Up got started, as well as what you can do help.