ROYAL OAK, Mich. — Royal Oak Public Schools students will be featured in an Oct. 12 episode of MTV's "If You Really Knew Me," a cable television program that the producer describes as "students trying to be accepted for who they are," according to a report in The Oakland Press.
The program tackles a different high school issue in each episode, ranging from cyber bulling to "rumor mills" to racial unrest, according to The Press. The episode featuring Royal Oak is built around the district's annual "Challenge Day," which invites students to get to know other students outside their typical social circles, The Press reported.
Superintendent Thomas Moline told The Press that the district initiated Challenge Days five years ago in a bid to end cross-town rivalry when two district high schools merged into Royal Oak High.
"We're producing a large number of people in Royal Oak prone to accept others and not to pre-judge," Moline told The Press. "That will make them far more successful as adults."
Arnold Shapiro, producer, said in a statement that students who participate are surprised to learn about the difficulties in each other's lives, The Press reported.
SOURCE:
The Oakland Press, "Students get real for new MTV series:
Final episode features Royal Oak High," Aug. 27, 2010
https://www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2010/08/27/life/doc4c7704a2bfed2847682906.txt
FURTHER READING:
Michigan Education Digest, "Anti-bullying bills again before
Legislature," April 24, 2010
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