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What You Can Do

Schools

Bullying is not what it used to be— it has morphed into many forms. A rumor passed by hand in the old days now spreads like wildfire online.
A drawing depicting a student in a humiliating way has now in some cases been elevate to an art form, creating pain with photos and videos. It used to be that when a child left school, they= escaped to a safe zone of family or the comfort of home, but now cell phones, texting, and the internet can keep it going 24/7.

Despite these changes, bullying is still handled the same way by schools—often ignored, covered up or minimized. What this has left us with is:

Pain, suffering and shame for the victims
High dropout rates
Suicide
Lawsuits against schools and administrations
Negative school culture
Unnecessarily poor academic performance

Schools have to change. They need to stop protecting bullies and their parents. Times have changed but you can still teach right and wrong. The best way to solve any problem is to know the source, gain the information, and have a plan that has a “buy-in” from the majority of administrators, teachers, parents and students.

With a simple program you can get your students, staff & parents involved in creating a positive school culture that enhances the safety of your school and discourages bullying, violence, drugs and other negative behaviors. Please contact us now, call 1.877.KID.HERO (1.877.543.4376) or learn more at www.thespiritdesk.com.

Parents

What can parents do to help a child who is being bullied and how can they prevent bullying from happening at their school?

Experience has taught me a few things with regards to this question and i think I can help you in a number of ways. From the front lines of school bullying to hidden on-line cyber bullying – what you don't know can hurt your child and others.   

Talk to Your Child About Bullying  

If parents have a son or daughter that is being bullied they need to engage the child by asking questions. Uncover the who/what/when/where of the situation. This information can prove critical; you should take good notes. No one knows your child better than you!  

Talk to Educators

It’s important to keep communication lines open between you and your school. Meet directly with educators. These meetings should never bring victim and bully face-to-face – this can make things worse. Make copies of what you learned with your child. Date them and share the information with the principal and teachers closest to your child. During this meeting, remain calm. Ask teachers for assistance in helping prevent the bullying in the future, and note that you’ll be checking in from time to time. Try to create with them a goal-oriented task list and time-line for action.  Finally, be sure to share your email and cell phone number. If teachers have concerns or notice behavior uncharacteristic of your child, they should notify you immediately. It could be a sign that bullying is still taking place!  

Get Involved!  

As parents, it is your responsibility to understand the environments your child is a part of. At home, monitor your child’s computer and Internet usage. Put computers in high-traffic rooms and use tools like www.youdiligence.com to monitor your child’s social networking sites. Also create rules and boundries for cell use and texting.  Know what your school is currently doing to combat bullying. Suggest to educators that

they brief parents on what programs are in place through newsletters, websites, PTO/PTA meetings and school functions.   Being proactive is the key to monitoring and preventing bullying. Parents should not only watch for changes in their child’s behavior as a result of bullying – but discuss the subject routinely with the whole family. Suggest to educators that bully prevention become the subject of daily or weekly discussion in classrooms and a everyday reminder during morning announcements is in order to keep schools a safe and pleasant place for everyone. We all must intervene when we think bullying is taking place. Step up, step in and share what you know!   

Keys for parents and schools to prevent bullying:

Whole school approach to prevent bullying it takes students, teachers and parent
Gain information from students about what they see and hear!
Know the who, what, where and when!
Be supportive of your child
Don't minimize bullying!

Students

Millions of students of all ages suffer from bullying and are in real need of help! It is also known that kids and students of all ages do the bullying....! INTERESTING ! We know that bullying takes place at school in hallways, lunchrooms, locker rooms, during class, on the bus after school and on-line among kids.

Students can do any number of things based on the situation.

If you are a bully STOP NOW!
If you are being bullied don't suffer in silence. PLEASE tell an adult about it. If they don't help tell another! Keep telling people and it will help. If you are afraid it is understandable but if others don't know they can't help!
Your power against a bully is not keeping it hidden...use your voice, drop a note, share what is going on!
If you witness bullying or know of another student who needs help tell a teacher, or an adult.
Be a friend.
Don't send nasty or mean text messages or emails.
Don’t spread rumors or lies about other students.
Think before you post photo's or statements on-line
If you have a friend(s) that bully others tell them to stop or tell them how uncool you think it is!
Start a hero patrol at your school, kids have the power to protect each other in school and can be taught what to do!

News & Events

National Recognition» Assistant Secretary of Education Applauds Hero in the Hallway Video

Noted » Make It Better magazine article

Video Vibes »S.A.F.E. Alternatives reacts to HIH Video

It Works » Playground Magazine: Camden's Corner - An anti-bullying program that can help save lives

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