STEPHEN CHRISTOPHER
Stephen is ten years old and lives in Woodburn with his mother, Erin, his father, Howard, and his older brother, David, who has autism. Stephen also appears in The Kids on the Block Program on Autism, but this topic is not addressed in The Kids on the Block Program on Bullies and School Safety. Stephen likes to play baseball and write mystery stories.
Stephen is a mature and thoughtful child with a few close friends at his Woodburn Elementary school. Recently, however, Stephen has begun having problems with a boy at school who has been taunting him, pushing him around, taking his lunch money, and waiting for him after school, either to humiliate him or beat him up. Stephen has been very upset about this but has not talked to anyone yet. He is ashamed and embarrassed and doesn’t believe anyone can help him. He also feels somewhat guilty because when his friend, Jason, was having similar problems, Stephen did nothing to help him. In fact, much of his guilt comes from the fact that, when Jason was being bullied, Stephen was secretly relieved that it was happening to Jason rather than himself.
Through Stephen, children learn that it’s common for the target of a bully to feel afraid, confused, and embarrassed about the victimization.
CLARE SANCHEZ
Clare is 14 and knows Stephen from the youth center where she volunteers. When Stephen finally tells Clare what has happened at school, she is very concerned about the situation. Clare had experienced a similar situation when she was in the fifth grade, and a group of girls were harassing her. She understands firsthand how it feels to be bullied and to dread going to school. Through Clare, audiences learn about social bullying. When Clare was in the fifth grade, it was happening to her. She didn’t know what to do but knew she had to do something. In the Kids on the Block Program on Bullies and School Safety, she serves as a confidante to Stephen and offers him advice based on her research on the subject.
Clare also serves as a mentor to Stephen and Melody as they work on a school safety project. Clare draws upon her own experience, having worked on a school safety plan at Woodburn Jr. High the year before. Clare likes being involved in activities that can help people in her community. Clare also appears in The Kids on the Block Program on Ostomy and The Kids on the Block Program on Gangs, Violence and Prejudice. (Clare has had an ileostomy, which is not addressed in this program.) Her family is Hispanic (or Latino), and she lives with her parents, her 15-year-old brother, John, and her younger brother, Marty. Clare is usually optimistic and sensible toward adversity and is an effective problem solver.
MELODY JAMES
Melody James is 11 years old and appears in many Kids on the Block programs. She is a featured character in The Kids on the Block Program on Children’s Mental Health.
Melody loves to roller skate and enjoys ballet lessons. She lives with her dad, mom, three older brothers, and one younger brother. She sometimes gets frustrated with her brothers (“Yuck!”), but deep down, she loves them all, especially her big brother Shaun. Melody misses her brother, Darryl, who was struck and killed by an automobile two years ago and still considers herself to have four older brothers.
Melody is sensitive to her peers’ feelings. When her friends face challenges, she is quick to get involved and help resolve problems.