Have you ever heard the news about the Fil-Am 7th grade student in NYC who committed suicide because of cyber-bullying? It’s very upsetting, right? I may not be the mother of that girl but I was heart-broken and at the same time scared. We don’t want that to happen to any innocent girl or boy especially to our kids. We just want a good life and bright future for them. But how can we prevent those things to happen? The different kinds of bullying, the suicide, depression and all? How can we totally eradicate them? Where should we send our children? Bullying is so prevalent. It happens everywhere! How can we make sure that they are always safe?
Last first week of May, I was invited to talk on Bullying at Reedly International School Libis. The aim of the talk is to spread the word about this growing form of abuse that has claimed lives all over the world, to raise awareness in fighting this global concern. Though I was honored by the invitation, I wasn't able to say yes.
So, let me share with you this write up about Reedly International School’s Campaign against bullying, known as Bully Proof.
There are several forms of bullying, which can be classified into four general types – physical, verbal, social, and cyber. First, physical bullying would involve aggressive physical contact with another person such as hitting, punching, pushing, and even stealing another person’s property. Then, verbal bullying would be name calling, threatening, or making a person feel bad through the use of words. Third, social bullying happens when someone is left out, deliberately ignored, ridiculed or ostracized through gossip, or made to feel like an outsider in a group. Lastly, any information or activity that is deliberately posted on the web or exchanged through technological gadgets, which is harmful to the well-being of another person, is considered as cyber-bullying.
Reedley believes that the best way to address bullying is for students, teachers, and parents to know the different forms of bullying and work together to stop and prevent it from happening. Thus, it is the primary responsibility of any learning institution to educate its community members about the nature and repercussions of bullying and equip them with ways to prevent and address it. Also, schools should establish community awareness and promote community involvement by educating its parents and even other family members about this serious issue. Ultimately, schools must train its teachers and staff to earn their students’ trust and form an honest and nurturing relationship with them. Then, it will be much easier for the teacher to assess the gravity of the bullying situation and help the child put a stop to it. Teachers must be able to help students identify and analyze different bullying situations and take decisive action, whenever they find themselves in the shoes of the bully, or the bullied, or the bystander.
Reedley believes that the best way to address bullying is for students, teachers, and parents to know the different forms of bullying and work together to stop and prevent it from happening. Thus, it is the primary responsibility of any learning institution to educate its community members about the nature and repercussions of bullying and equip them with ways to prevent and address it. Also, schools should establish community awareness and promote community involvement by educating its parents and even other family members about this serious issue. Ultimately, schools must train its teachers and staff to earn their students’ trust and form an honest and nurturing relationship with them. Then, it will be much easier for the teacher to assess the gravity of the bullying situation and help the child put a stop to it. Teachers must be able to help students identify and analyze different bullying situations and take decisive action, whenever they find themselves in the shoes of the bully, or the bullied, or the bystander.
So how did Reedley make itself an anti-bullying school? The school created a comprehensive campaign that focuses on addressing and preventing bullying, which is supported by the values that they instill in their students through their Life Skills program. “Bully-Proof”, as Reesians call it, is an annual month-long activity designed to prevent any form of intimidation amongst students, especially towards younger batches or new students. Activities such as “Big Brother and Big Sister” are launched to promote a culture of kindness, caring, responsibility, and tolerance among students. Special learning modules which are aimed to help students realize their self-worth and respect the value and gifts of other people were integrated in their classes.
Also, the school invites distinguished guest speakers and designated experts on bullying and cyber-bullying to give informative talks to Middle School and Upper School students. These activities are spread out within the month and would end with an oath-taking ceremony where students have now become “bully-proof” Reesians.
Life Skills, on the other hand, is the school’s flagship program created to provide Reedley students with lessons, scripts, and skills to take charge of their life right now, in school, at home, and beyond. This foundational program strengthens and supports the anti-bullying stance of the school and helps create a highly positive impact in its students, parents, and teachers.
With bullying becoming more prevalent today, schools, together with parents, should be more proactive and become more responsible in providing a safe and nurturing environment for our children, both in school and at home. From its inception thirteen years ago, Reedley International School has established the school-and-home-partnership to address bullying and focus on what matters most: kind and happy students.
For more information, contact (02) 571 5291 or visit Reedley International School or log on to Website: www.reedleyschool.com
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