Bully

Bully

Parenting:
Did you see the movie Bully? (The actual title of the DVD has a
circle surrounding and slash going through the word. I have no clue
how to achieve this with my iPod touch). If you haven't, that is a
good and doable New Years resolution. I scored a copy through my
public library. It's a truly thought provoking movie that documents
kids being bullied in public school.
If you have seen it or follow my advice and see it and then are
inspired to do something, you're in luck. Bully: An Action Plan For
Teachers, Parents, And Communities To Combat The Bullying Crisis
(again with the circle and slash), edited by Lee Hirsch and Cynthia
Lowen, is a wealth of information. It follows up on people introduced
in the movie, talks about how this movie has morphed into a movement,
and introduces experts in various fields who have down-to-earth advice
on exactly what bullying is and what we can be doing to combat it in
daily life. (Two of the contributers are Haley Kirkpatrick, author of
The Drama Years, and Rosemary Wiseman, author of Queen Bees &
Wannabees, whose books also are must reads for folks who care about
this topic. You can find reviews on my blog.)
*Why are children with disabilities more likely to be targeted?
*How can adults be made more aware of the problem as something darker
than "kids just being kids"?
*What can parents do if their child is bullied, bullying, or both?
*How can schools be transformed into safe places where all children
can learn and thrive?
These are some of the questions you'll be challenged to wrap your mind
around.
What I like best about the book, apart from its
comprehensiveness, inclusion of a real diversity of voices, and down-
to-Earth readability, is that it nudges us away from quick fix non
answers like zero tolerance, the unidimensional bully/victim mindset,
and having your school board write such an airtight policy your school
couldn't possibly be sued. It also stresses the fact that schools are
not exercising due dilligence if they wait until bullying is
discovered and then react. What needs to be done in all schools is
creating environments where all kids learn the skills that enable them
to work together respectfully and caringly beginning in the earliest
grades. You also need techniques in place where the perpetrators as
well as the victims are helped to get back on track and in good graces
when bullying does happen. And you need the adults to make sure
they're walking the walk as well as talking the talk, modelling rather
than just preaching the virtues of, the behaviors they want to see in
their kids. The bottom line is this: OUR CHILDREN DESERVE NOTHING
LESS!
As I bet you suspect, I recommend this book to parents and other
relatives of kids in school, older students, school board members,
teachers, admin, and, of course, guidance counselors.
On a personal note, the most proficient bullies aren't anywhere near
schools: people cutting back on SNAP (formerly food stamps) funds,
the jokers who gave gazilionaire multi national corporations
personhood, United States United Nations people questioning clean
water and sanitation as basic human rights... If there is a book on
dealing with that I sure want Santa Claus to leave a copy in my
stocking.
A great big shout out goes out to people who strive to make our
schools safe and welcoming places for all kids and all families.
Julia Emily Hathaway



Sent from my iPod