Three local schools receive grant to implement prevention
program
A climate study of three local schools last year conducted by
the county’s gang prevention coordinator found that teachers,
administrators and even most parents agree that bullying is a
problem.
One of the surprising findings from the study is that 50 to 60
percent of kids who reported that they were chronically bullied
said the bullying lasted at least six months or more.
Three local schools receive grant to implement prevention program
A climate study of three local schools last year conducted by the county’s gang prevention coordinator found that teachers, administrators and even most parents agree that bullying is a problem.
One of the surprising findings from the study is that 50 to 60 percent of kids who reported that they were chronically bullied said the bullying lasted at least six months or more.
But teachers, administrators and parents don’t always know how to combat the multitude of behaviors in which bullying can manifest itself, sometimes leaving lifelong scars on victims as well as bystanders, according to studies.
“There are a lot of myths that some people believe,” said Al De Vos, the gang prevention coordinator. “Maybe it makes you tough. But now (studies are showing) even bystanders have some severe emotional effects.”
This year, with the help of a California state grant received by the Hollister Police Department and the San Benito County Probation department, three schools will take a multi-faceted approach to an issue that can range from physical violence to verbal assault to indirect attacks, such as spreading rumors or excluding students from activities.
On Oct. 13 and 14, teams of teachers and administrators from San Juan School, Cerra Vista and Sunnyslope Elementary schools met at the Hollister School District offices for two days of training on how to recognize the signs of bullying, what they can do to stop the activity and how to get parents on board with the program. The groups will take what they have learned back to their home campus where all teachers and staff will be trained.
One of the main outcomes of the training is that the schools will have a clear policy in place to deal with bullying behavior.
“If it happens the first time, this is the consequence,” De Vos said. “We will lay it out to everyone. Kids will not only be safer, but will feel safer.”
Willard McCabe, the superintendent for the Aromas-San Juan School District, said he is supporting the program for the transformative effect it can potentially have on campus.
“Bullying on campus is not acceptable,” McCabe said. “We did a survey of parents and parents said bullying was a high priority. … There are no more excuses. We need to take a firm, aggressive stand.”
The stand at San Juan School started at the beginning of the school year. Even the week before training, some students had been suspended for mistreating another student. Hallie Shepherd, a teacher, described how the girl who was the target came to her office in tears. The student didn’t want to be at school and was afraid to even use the restroom.
McCabe cited a study that said if students don’t feel safe, their learning capacity goes down by 75 percent.
“We want to teach kids how to make the right choices,” he said.
Part of that process will be for kids who see others being picked on to tell a teacher.
“Even kids who are not being bullied or not bullying others feel shame when they see it and don’t do anything,” said Patricia Marquez, a counselor for the Hollister Youth Alliance.
Marquez will play a key role on each campus at least one day a week. Teachers will be able to refer students through the Hollister Youth Alliance for counseling. Those who meet the criteria will be assigned to work with Marquez in one-on-one, peer-group and possibly family-counseling sessions. HYA will be able to refer students with other needs to other agencies.
“A lot of kids want to do something, but they don’t know what to do,” De Vos added. “That’s where adults come in.”
One of the suggested tactics is to teach students who see bullying to tell one adult at school and one adult at home so there is follow through.
“Most victims are not telling anyone at home,” he said. “It was an unfortunate finding at all the schools.”
One of the key factors in deciding which three schools to work with in San Benito County came down to the commitment of the principals. De Vos said Bronson Mendes-LoBue, of San Juan School, Cerra Vista’s Pam Little and Sunnyslope’s Melinda Scott were engaged from the start.
Talking of the myths about bullying, Marquez said there can be many reasons a student resorts to such behavior.
“Sometimes it is case specific and you find out the bully at school is being bullied at home,” she said. “But sometimes it’s complex. Kids can be ill equipped to deal with emotions.”
De Vos added that some students are just self-focused and lack an understanding of how their actions affect others.
One key factor in bullying is that there is often a difference in power between the aggressor and the victim, whether because of a physical size difference or social status.
De Vos will be working with the San Benito County Police Activities League to offer recognition once a quarter “when kids do the right thing.” Teachers will also have certificates to give out.
Quoting Gandhi, McCabe said, “We want to be the change we want to see in the world.”
Myths about bullying
Dan Olewus, who studies bullying, has found that research debunks some of the myths below:
THE MYTH: Bullies suffer from insecurity and low self-esteem. They pick on others to make themselves feel more important.
THE RESEARCH: Most bullies have average or above-average self-esteem. They “suffer” from aggressive temperaments, a lack of empathy, and poor parenting.
THE MYTH: Bullies are looking for attention. Ignore them and the bullying will stop.
THE RESEARCH: Bullies are looking for control, and they rarely stop if their behavior is ignored. The level of bullying usually increases if the bullying is not addressed by adults.
THE MYTH: Boys will be boys.
THE RESEARCH: Bullying is seldom outgrown; it’s simply redirected. About 60 percent of boys identified as bullies in middle school commit at least one crime by the time they are 24.
THE MYTH: Kids can be cruel about differences.
THE RESEARCH: Physical differences play only a very small role in bullying situations. Most victims are chosen because they are sensitive, anxious, and unable to retaliate.
THE MYTH: Victims of bullies need to learn to stand up for themselves and deal with the situation.
THE RESEARCH: Victims of bullies are usually younger or physically weaker than their attackers. They also lack the social skills to develop supportive friendships. They cannot deal with the situation themselves.
THE MYTH: Large schools or classes are conducive to bullying.
THE RESEARCH: No correlation has been established between class or school size and bullying. In fact, there is some evidence that bullying may be less prevalent in larger schools where potential victims have increased opportunities for finding supportive friends.
THE MYTH: Most bullying occurs off school grounds.
THE RESEARCH: Although some bullying occurs outside of school or on the way to and from school, most occurs on school grounds: in classrooms, in hallways, and on playgrounds.
THE MYTH: Bullying affects only a small number of students.
THE RESEARCH: At any given time, about 25 percent of U.S. students are the victims of bullies and about 20 percent are engaged in bullying behavior. The National Association of School Psychologists estimates that 160,000 children stay home from school every day because they are afraid of being bullied.
THE MYTH: Teachers know if bullying is a problem in their classes.
THE RESEARCH: Bullying behavior usually takes place out of sight of teachers. Most victims are reluctant to report the bullying for fear of embarrassment or retaliation, and most bullies deny or justify their behavior.
THE MYTH: Victims of bullying need to follow the adage “Sticks and stones will break your bones, but names can never hurt you.”
THE RESEARCH: Victims of bullying often suffer lifelong problems with low self-esteem. They are prone to depression, suicide, and other mental health problems throughout their lives.
Courtesy of http://www.educationworld.com/a_issues/issues102.shtml.
