Students ‘black out bullying’ in Desert Hot Springs

Johnny Murphy is a seventh grader at Desert Springs Middle School. He said he’s faced bullies since kindergarten.

“I see it and I’ve experienced it,” said Murphy.

“PE was the worst. Everything happened there,” said Diane Murphy, Johnny’s grandmother.

Johnny’s grandmother reported the issues to the school and had him removed from PE.

The 12-year-old confronted Desert Hot Springs City Council members about bullying and it’s link to suicide, voicing his efforts to help those targeted online and at his school.

Down the road, Painted Hills Middle School in Desert Hot Springs launched an anti-bullying campaign with “Black Out Bullying” Wednesdays.

“We’re wearing black because we are against bullying. We believe it affects people’s lives,” said eighth grader Micco Gollette.

The campaign calls for school counselors to visit classrooms each month to educate students on the consequences of bullying. Students will write and perform bullying skits that are performed during the monthly Panther assembly starting Friday. Safe classrooms will be open for students who want to speak with a trusted teacher rather than an administrator. Parent involvement will be mandated at the school.

“If we change the culture on campus where students are part of the solution, we’ll do a really good job of addressing the bullying issue we’re dealing with on campus,” said principal Dr. Michael Greinger.

The hope is for the campaign to spread like wildfire across the school district and the Coachella Valley.

“I would tell the bullies it’s wrong what they’re doing and they don’t know how much they’re hurting other people,” said Johnny.