LA students take pledge during National Bullying Prevention Month

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Students at Extera Charter Elementary School kicked off National Bullying Prevention Month by making a pledge to stand up and speak out against bullying.

The Los Angeles Police Department was on hand with the Pacer National Bullying Prevention Center to help students take the pledge.

"Students who are being bullied, there are high rates of absenteeism, they just don't want to go to school," Judy French with the Pacer National Bullying Prevention Center explained.

The Pacer National Bullying Prevention Center said one in four students reported being bullied in school last year.

"I got bullied because I didn't know how to say the words right," 6th grader Valeria Perez said. "It made me feel sad and worried about myself."

National Bullying Prevention Month aims to teach students and parents that bullying should not be tolerated and children should stand up for themselves and for others.

Parents are encouraged to talk to their kids about their friendships and notify the school if they think their child may be a victim.

"It doesn't matter how they look or how they act, what they wear, what they have or what they don't have. Nobody should be bullied," French said.

Extera Charter Elementary School said when students exhibit bully-like behavior, parents are notified and if necessary, discipline action will be taken.