Students battle bullying

TUCSON, AZ (Tucson News Now) - Bullying effects more kids than ever before. According to The National Education Association approximately 160,000 students will skip school today because of bullying.

La Paloma Academy Lakeside is working hard to keep harassment off campus. School officials held an initiation ceremony Tuesday, Feb. 2 for the school's new Patriot Patrol.

The Patriot Patrol is made up of a group of students who have been nominated by their teachers to serve their school and help with new anti-bullying and safety initiatives. This morning, 16 students will receive this honor, in grades 3 to 6.

The Patriot Patrol will help monitor students during lunch and recess to ensure they are safe. They will help monitor hallways and welcome students to school in the morning. They will also report any dangerous, inappropriate behavior or bullying to an adult at the school.