Over the past year Columbia School District teachers and staff members have worked together to curtail bullying. Much of the concern regarding bullying in educational settings comes from the statistics: according to the National Education Association, over 160,000 students across the country miss school each day because they are worried about being intimidated, harassed, and bullied. What is more startling is to learn that one in three school children across the country in the middle grades, grade six through ten, are bullied during the year.
By partnering with Columbia Schools parents can assist in our quest to be bully-free! It is important for parents and schools to work together to help support our students and create a safe learning environment. For years, many have thought that bullying is just harmless teasing, but it may have a lasting impact on our students' ability to learn. In addition to the high levels of absenteeism for victims of bullying, researchers have found a connection between suicide and bullying and being a victim of bullying for children.
When parents work with their children's teachers to end bullying, the emotional portion of school safety improves. Parents should encourage their children to communicate with their teacher or a school staff member when they are bullied or see another student being bullied. Contrary to a child's fear, letting one's teacher know they are being bullied is not tattling and it may make the difference between being comfortable in the social environment of school and feeling anxious and alienated.
Parents may encourage their child to be nice to other children. Being friendly and making positive comments to other students, especially those affected by bullying, will help them feel accepted rather than alienated and lonely. Everyone wants to feel accepted and valued. By encouraging your child to consider other children's feelings and not to exclude them at recess, in class or at lunch, your child can make a difference in the lives of their classmates.
You may also make a difference if you learn about cyber bullying. Cyber bullying is growing by leaps and bounds with the increasing emphasis on technology even for our youngest children. This technological tormenting is impactful. Comments made by children about others on Facebook, Twitter and texting could make you shudder with disapproval. Parents who audit and check their child's Facebook statements, Tweets and texts can insure that their child is not the cause of another child's pain, because even good children can make inappropriate comments.
Join with the Columbia School District this year and help Blast Out Bullying! If you have questions about Columbia Schools, our anti-bullying policy or would like to register your child for school, please call 517-592-6641 or email me at pam.campbell@myeagles.org.
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