AUSTIN, Texas--About 200 students at Linder Elementary School will participate in an anti-bullying event by Superior Health Plans, Centene Corporation, its subsidiary Cenpatico, and Children's National Health System as part of the district's No Place for Hate initiative. 

Who: Children's book author Michelle Bain

When: Tuesday, March 25, an assembly from 8-9:15 a.m. for 3rd graders and an assembly from 9:15-10:30 a.m. for 2nd graders

What: The "No Bullying Zone" event will feature children's book author Michelle Bain, reading a new anti-bullying book called "Splotch the Madpole," which was co-authored with Centene, Cenpatico and anti-bullying expert Dr. Joseph Wright of Children's National Health System. The event will also feature an anti-bullying "graffiti wall" where children will write positive messages about themselves and their friends.

Background: This event is part of a new national initiative to prevent bullying among school-aged children. This new national initiative was launched during National Anti-bullying Awareness Month in October and aims to educate students, teachers and parents on how to prevent, identify and appropriately intervene when bullying threatens school-aged children.

Linder Elementary School, with more than 480 students, was the first elementary in AISD to implement No Place for Hate and have continued to earn the designation for the last seven years. The school, which is a dual language school, promotes inclusiveness and strives for individual respect. Social and Emotional Learning is an initiative that the school has embraced and has implemented for the last two years. Since then, Linder's academic data has improved.

With more than 67 percent limited English learners, and more than 97 percent low socio-economic status, the school's discipline rates is one of the lowest in the district.

For more information, please contact Rebeca Salinas, of Linder Elementary School, at 512-414-3718.

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