Anthony Habra, superintendent of Rudyard Area Schools in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, has found a high-tech way to address a common problem. He has acted to make a difference for the 900 students students, parents or community members by giving them a way to text him an anonymous message that school staff can investigate and follow up on. This act of open communication may make it easier to report bullying, violence, or other suspicious activities.

He chose to make a short video to announce and explain his plan, using an affordable online software called xtranormal (http://www.xtranormal.com) to create the video.

Anyone can make videos on xtranormal.  It takes little time, and even if you have very little expertise or prior knowledge with the web you will likely find it possible to create an xtranormal video yourself. Xtranormal allows you to choose your character(s) setting, voice, and totally control the content.

If you have a message to share, go to www.xtranormal.com, explore a bit, choose a package and sign up (the simplest package is free), experiment by making a video and, if you want to, publish it. (There is a publication fee, even with a free sign up.) You purchase points to publish; there is a $10.00 minimum which will most likely allow you to post more than one video.  

Watch Tony's video: 

http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/13599441/helping-everyone-stay-safe

Other options for producing your own video:

• Animoto: http://animoto.com/
• Goanimate: http://goanimate.com/