Getting rid of the School Yard Bully: What to do
Over the last few years Parents have witnessed lots of examples on TV of frightening escalations in brutal attacks on their children by other children. As texting has become more popular, a new word “cyber-bullying” has been coined. Dozens of websites devoted to the prevention of bullying have popped up. It has been clear for years that bullying is a serious problem at schools, with three-quarters of junior high or middle high school principals admitting that bullying or harassment is a “serious problem” at their school.
Bullying is destructive to the victim, the bully and the witnesses. After the 1999 attack at Columbine High School, Colorado launched a multi million dollar statewide study to learn more about this ugly social problem and how to stop it. It is thought that the two perpetrators had long been the victims of bullying at Columbine. Since then, school security nationwide has changed and a 2008 study about bullying is online and can be seen by Googling “Colorado Trust.” Highlights of their findings are:
· In schools where anti-bullying action has been taken by timely fair intervention of students and teachers with bullies, there entire school is blessed with higher academic achievement!
· The effects of bullying can last a lifetime.
· Victims have lower self esteem, inability to connect socially and an increased chance of academic failure.
· Bullies often end up having criminal problems in later life.
In 2008 the Florida legislature adopted a new Anti Bullying Law. Important provisions of the laws make sure the parents of the victim are regularly told what steps are being taken to protect the victim, and that the bully is referred to counseling.
The Flagler County School Board has policies against bullying, including cyber bullying. Its website invites anyone to report bullying when it is witnessed. A student who violates the anti bullying policies at school can be disciplined which may include expulsion from school. A student is considered at school even when using school transportation (school bus). If a student is being bullied or witnesses bullying, he should always tell an adult at the school.
A school which fails to provide reasonable supervision from dangers like bullying opens itself up to lawsuits. If the school knows that certain kids are bullies and ignores the problems they are causing, it is not only bad for the victims but indirectly everyone in the school can suffer academically. Parents have to send their kids to school, or educate them at home. If the school does not provide a safe education and your child is victimized stand up for them. That’s your job. Kids feel all alone when they are bullied, and do not want to report being bullied because it may hurt them socially. It will hurt them more if they are not protected.
