Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter"
Dr. Martin Luther King
Valley Outreach members and all of the schools are very concerned about the bullying problem among our youth. Our local schools are working on this problem and they need your help to address it. The following sites have specific information on how parents can help:
At Kennett High School there is an Equity Committee that is actively trying to address the issue. Equity team members went into advisory periods at the High School to share information with students and to have them fill out a survey which will help us understand the extent of the problem. Below are the results of the survey.
Student results: Percentages of respondants answering positively:
1. Do you feel safe at school? 87%
2. Do you believe most young people feel safe at school? 64%
3. Do you think teachers/other adults take bullying seriously? 66%
4. In the past month, a student has bullied me physically. 8%
5. In the last month, a student has bullied me by intimidation. 14%
6. In the last month, a student has sexually harassed me. 14%
7. In the last month, I have been a victim of relational bullying. 15%
8. In the last month, I have been the victim of taunting. 16%
9. In the last month, a student has bullied me using the internet. 7%
10. In the last month, a student at school has bullied me in the classroom. 15%
11. In the last month, a student at school has bullied me in the halls. 17%
12. In the last month, a student at school has bullied me in the cafeteria. 12%
13. In the last month, a student at school has bullied me in the bathrooms. 4%
14. In the last month, a student at school has bullied me in the locker room. 5%
15. In the last month, a student at school has bullied me on the bus. 9%
16. In your opinion, does the school need to do more to stop bullying? 45%
Bullying is considered a form of pupil harassment. Bullying is defined as something that someone repeatedly says or does in order to gain power over or dominate another person. It occurs across all gender, racial and socio-economic boundaries. No child deserves to be bullied and no child should bully another.
The best protection parents can offer their children is to foster their child’s confidence and self-esteem. Talking openly about respect for themselves and others will increase tolerance for differences.
Our school is committed to providing all pupils a safe school environment in which all members of the school community are treated with respect.
The Bully:
A bully is someone who wants to control others by manipulating and embarrassing them. Bullying is never OK. It is a learned behavior and can be changed. The bully can receive help and support to change bullying behaviors.
Examples of Bullying:
Name calling
Teasing, making fun of someone
Spreading rumors
Put downs
Starting lies about another
Making subtle negative comments
Excluding specific persons
Pushing
Tripping
Ridiculing
Threatening
Taunting
Intimidating
Making sexual comments
Stealing, property damage
What parents can do:
Talk to your child about bullying and harassment. If you suspect your child is being bullied or is a bully, seek out support. Encourage your child to report bullying at school to administrators, teachers, guidance counselors, parents, the school nurse or any school employee.
Ways for Students and Parents to Report Bullying
Talk to:
School Administrator
Teacher
Guidance Counselor
School Nurse
Any school employee
Complete a Bullying Complaint form (Available in the guidance office)
What Students can Do:
Report bullying in school
Avoid & ignore the bully
Walk away
Be assertive, but do not get into a verbal or physical fight
Show confidence in yourself
Use humor
What the Witness can do:
Support the victim
Tell the bully to stop
Report all incidents of bullying to school staff and encourage the student to do so.
