Quote for the day

“…teach your children what to do -- kindness, empathy, fair play, and turn-taking are critical skills for good peer relations.”
~Education.com

Building solid people begins in childhood, at home.  What the child does is what the parent taught.

Quote for the day

“Bullying is different from aggression. Whereas aggression may involve a single act, bullying involves repeated attacks against the target…”
~Washington State Department of Labor

Just in case we needed to define the problem...

Quote for the day

"There is a light at the end of the tunnel but first you'll have to find the light switch and change the bulb before switching it on yourself. No problem, as targets of bullying are picked on for their competence and abilities."
~ Tim Field

And how sad is it that bullies are most likely to pick on those who could probably help them to find the answers...
 
 

Quote for the day

“Your kids learn a lot about power relationships from watching you. When you get angry at a waiter, a sales clerk, another driver on the road, or even your child, you have a great opportunity to model effective communication techniques. Don’t blow it by blowing your top! Any time you speak to another person in a mean or abusive way, you’re teaching your child that bullying is ok.”
~Education.com

And how easy is it to forget that someone is always watching?

Quote for the day

"Bullies thrive wherever authority is weak"
~Tim Field

This kind of speaks for itself, doesn't it?
 
 

Quote for the day

"I just want the bullying to stop. That is all I ever wanted. I used to love going to school. Now I hate it."
~9-year-old Verity Ward (quoted in the Sunday Telegraph, 12 March 2000)

Out of the mouths of babes.  If your child asked for a new toy, you'd find a way to get it, right?  All this child wants is to go to school in peace.  How do we give her what she's asking for?  Think about it...
  
 

How To Stop Bullying -- a few suggestions.

We've been thinking -- a lot.  And while this may or may not be seen as a good thing (in so many ways...), we've decided that there are some very specific things that need to be considered when it comes to bullying.  With that in mind, we've made the following list and hope it gives everyone some starting places when it comes to getting past the bullying epidemic in our society.

Here's our list of the top ten ways to end bullying:

1. Learn the facts
2. Understand the language
3. Stop bad behavior
4. Set the policy
5. Plan school-wide activities
6. Be public
7. Address cyber bullying
8. Train and educate everyone
9. Work for comprehensive health education
10. Resources, resources, resources

Now, like Glinda the Good Witch in The Wizard of Oz said, "it's always best to start at the beginning."  So pick your point and grow from where you are, but whatever you do, know that your effort is for the good of us all.

   
  

Quote for the day

"The best indicator of a sociopathic serial bully is not a clinical diagnosis but the trail of devastation and destruction of lives and livelihoods surrounding this individual throughout their life."
~ Tim Field

Scarey, isn't it?  Now, what can we do to fix it?

Quote for the day

"One would not expect a victim of rape to have to single-handedly identify, trace, catch, arrest, prosecute, convict and punish the person who raped her. Targets of bullying often find themselves doing all of these whilst those in positions of authority persistently abdicate and deny responsibility."

~ Tim Field

Administrative back turning and essentially walking away is not acceptable, and yet it happens every day.  The frightening part is that students are damaged in the process.

 

In The Name Of One

The name I have in mind is that of Warren Lewis, an 18-year old student of North Forest ISD (Houston, TX).  Warren is not the kind of kid anyone would expect to be a victim of bullying.  He is well-manered, well-spoken, and responsible.  He is tall and strong, handsome and athletic, a leader in the classroom and on the playing field.  And yet, he was bullied and assaulted in school, while attending classes.  When school officials ignored both Warren and his mother, leaving him on his own, he felt he had to protect himself, and he did.  Now he is facing aggravated assault charges.

You have to know that none of that was a part of his plan when he went to school with his homework done, right?

Well, now Warren needs your support.  He needs money for legal defense and he needs to know that he is not alone.  You can contribute money to his defense fund on Indiegogo.com.  You can contribute to the safety and sanity of EVERY student by speaking up and taking a Step Up For A Student.