Bullying among children has hit near epidemic levels. It is estimated that nearly one in three students has been bullied, while nearly 70 percent of children have witnessed someone else being bullied (Stopbullying.gov). In another survey, more than half the students surveyed reported having had something hurtful said about them online (bullyingstatistics.org). The increased use of social media among children only appears to be raising these statistics. So how is Pea Ridge Middle School combating this growing problem?
Pea Ridge Middle School, which is home to students in grades 6 through 8, has instituted a school-wide advisory program for the past two years that provides opportunities for teachers and students to discuss such issues as conflict resolution, responsibility, tolerance and acceptance, and positive self image.
Early adolescence can be a time of tremendous social and emotional development for students in which positive self images and self esteem levels often hinge on how students feel they are perceived by their peers. PRMS faculty members believe that by educating students in these developmental aspects, we can better prepare our students to act and respond in appropriate manners to many of life's challenges. The advisory program also allows teachers and students to develop meaningful relationships with each other, providing students with mentors at school that can help students in times of stress and uncertainty.
In August, Pea Ridge Middle School brought in a national bullying expert, Dr. Malcolm Smith from New Hampshire, to train staff about the origins of bullying behavior, how to identify bullying, and research-based strategies to prevent and stop bullying. Dr. Smith, creator of the program "Courage 2 Care" which focuses on fostering empathy and civility among adolescents, stressed to our staff that bullying, or behaviors that may lead to bullying, must never be ignored. Immediate interventions must be taken to prevent bullies from becoming powerful and instilling fear in others. Staff members of PRMS have worked diligently to intervene as soon as a possible incident is recognized. Teachers and staff have stressed to students the importance of early reporting so that a single isolated incident does not turn into a pattern of intimidating or otherwise hurtful behavior.
Since October is national "Bullying Prevention Month," Mrs. Starnes, counselor, and Sgt. John Langham, School Resource Officer, are working together to lead discussions during Advisory about bullying and appropriate ways to stand up to those that bully others. The program allows students to role play situations involving bullying and discuss with their peers the proper ways to handle the situation. In order to stop bullying, it is important that incidents involving bullying are reported immediately, and students understand the appropriate way to stand up to bullies.
While completely stopping bullying among students may seem like an unrealistic goal, administrators and faculty at PRMS are working each day to make sure our school is a more safe and welcoming environment for all students. From our school-wide advisory program, to teacher trainings led by national experts, to our counselors and School Resource Officer working together to educate students about bullying, PRMS is focused on creating a school that is accepting of all students. We must all work together to fight this issue. We are all stakeholders in the future of our students. Educators, students, parents, and community members we must never be satisfied until every student is free from the harm of bullying.
Community on 10/14/2015