Brandon Twp.- Just a few days before the school district’s winter break, a father lamented the bullying his elementary age children once again endured on the bus.
Wishing to remain anonymous to protect his children, the man expressed his frustration about school officials who seemed to ignore his pleas for a remedy. He and his wife are working parents and he also is a college student, making it impossible to drive the kids to and from school. The lengthy bus rides have turned into a nightmare for the children, who have become targets of bullies.
A solution may be on the way.
On Feb. 4, ‘Every 1 Counts? will kick-off at Brandon Fletcher Intermediate School, 304 South St., with an assembly for students during the day and a parent night that begins at 6:30 p.m. with an aim of getting all the key players in a child’s life on board to prevent bullying.
‘We are inviting all parents and community members from all schools,? said Kaitlin Mason, school social worker. ‘They will learn the main components of the program, data the kids gave us from an online survey, hotspots where bullying happens, the percentage of kids who say they’ve been bulled at BFIS, and we will talk about the ways parents can help kids.?
The district, in conjunction with Brandon Groveland Youth Assistance, established a bullying prevention coordinating committee last year and in August, the committee, comprised of 15 members including parents, BFIS teachers, non-teaching staff and community members, were trained in the Olweus bullying prevention program administered by Oakland Mediation Center.
Developed by Dan Olweus, the program has been used nationally and internationally in schools for more than 40 years and research has proven its effectiveness.
According to the Oakland Mediation Center, the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program ‘gives schools the tools and resources they need to effectively prevent and intervene in bullying behavior long term. The program is designed for students in elementary, middle and high schools. All students participate in the program, while students identified as bullying others, or students who have been bullied, receive additional individualized interventions. All students are educated on roles involved in bullying situations and learn how to become proactive bystanders. Program objectives include reducing existing bullying among students; preventing the development of new bullying problems; achieving better peer relations at school; and making the school a safer and more positive place for students to learn and develop.?
Parent involvement is essential, and committee members are also training various support personnel including paraprofessionals, bus drivers, and cafeteria staff.
Among the findings of the kids survey: 90 percent of respondents said bullying happens on the bus and kids usually tell friends or siblings of a bullying incident before they tell their parents or other adults.
‘We want everyone on board? the kids, the school staff, the community and parents,? said Rhonda Tomei, behavior interventionist. ‘That’s what will make the difference? to understand all the components will give ownership.?
One of the keys is making sure all students are informed on the definition of bullying. As defined by Olweus, ‘Bullying is when someone repeatedly and on purpose says or does mean or hurtful things to another person who has a hard time defending him or herself.?
Bullying is not the same as conflict, stresses BFIS Principal Carol Bogner. The school has a peer mediation program in place that commonly addresses conflict.
At the student assembly, as well as at parent night, the four school rules regarding bullying will be addressed. They include not being a bully; helping other students who are bullied; being inclusive; and telling at least two adults, one at school and one at home, of any bullying occurrences.
The Olweus program also focuses on teaching children to intervene when they see someone else bullied.
‘We’re such a family here,? said Bogner. ‘You put things in place to make the kids feel safe. Parents need to know what we are putting in place and how they can help.?
‘Every 1 Counts? Parent Night is 6:30 p.m., Feb. 4 at Brandon Fletcher Intermediate School, 304 South St. Free childcare is available. Details: 248-627-1840.