A roomful of 6th graders can be chaotic, but in Donna Yu's 6th grade class at Eastern Heights Elementary in Saint Paul, students are busy at work -- before the first bell rings! One group is working on math problems, just for fun. Other students might be reading. They show each other, and their teacher, respect.

It's due in part to an effort that got underway several years ago at Eastern Heights to create a positive, safe environment where kids can focus on learning.

Principal Jayne Ropella surveyed students, and found a significant number of them concerned about bullying. The school has since implemented an anti-bullying curriculum and taken other steps that have not only resulted in a more calm atmosphere, it has helped students improve academically. The curriculum is called Steps to Respect, available through the Committee For Children.