By Mike Dougherty

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — October is National Bullying Prevention Month.  In West Philadelphia today, a singer-songwriter was using music to teach kids to stand up and speak out.

Students at the Wissahickon Charter School clapped their hands and sang along, “Count on me…,” as Susan Goodman played the saxophone.

Her message was clear, according to second-grader Marley:  “Speak up to bullies and show them they can’t be mean to you anymore.”

“Even little kids have power in their voices,” says Goodman (far right in photo), “so if they know that, they can stand up and speak out.  They can make a difference.”

School co-CEO Kristi Littell believes music helps drive the point home.

“This is a fun way to hear that message and to celebrate difference,” she tells KYW Newsradio.  “We talk about celebrating difference all the time, but this really feels like a celebration!”

Littell says her staff is proactive about building community at the school because children can’t learn if they don’t feel comfortable.