School System Resolved To Counter Bullying

 

By Kendra Bobowick

The younger boy flinched as a fisted hand smashed his books from his grasp. Homework papers fluttered underfoot as the morning rush of students pushed into the school…

“If you are bullied you never forget it; it is with you for life,” Assistant Superintendent Alice Jackson said. “An environment that is threatening causes…feelings of anxiousness and it is hard for kids to learn.”

Any number of scenarios could describe bullying, however, and the pranks in the playground or knocking another child’s books to the floor are just the surface of a problem that the Newtown school district is aggressively addressing.

“The district has been working to do what it can to get this stopped,” Ms Jackson said. “Since 1994 we have adopted programs dealing with conflict and resolution.” The program starts in the young grades and continues through high school.

The lessons are clear.

“We teach the children the skills they need to resolve conflicts and deal with issues,” she said. “At the lowest grade levels you teach kids to use words instead of pushing to resolve issues; talk it out.”

She cites some specific curriculum goals. “There are a lot of pieces attached,” Ms Jackson said. “Recognize [your own] emotions, express them appropriately.” She also explained that the program teaches the concept of empathy.

“Recognize the other person’s feelings,” she said.

On an individual basis, the curriculum enables educators to help children look at what they are doing — especially if what they are doing is not working.

Ms Jackson said, “We help a child…develop appropriate ways of managing situations.”

She hopes to leave the children with strategies about how to handle a bully, she said. “You don’t have to feel so much like a victim and can handle the situation,” she said.

The school system is fighting a battle that goes far beyond the school grounds.

“Bullying happens all over, and all over town — it’s not restricted to the kids,” she said.

Regarding the students, Ms Jackson said, “They don’t only learn things at school; they learn things at home and we are doing everything we can to make the school community a safe place for all the kids.”

She does not expect to banish bullying, however.

“You don’t get it stopped,” Ms Jackson said. “I would like to say there is none in this district. If [bullying] is something they come to us with it’s hard to change the thinking.”

Bullying also is not confined to the give and take of cruel or insulting behavior. On her shelves, her desk, and conference table centered in her office were binders, pamphlets, hardcover books, and workbooks — literally volumes of information about bullying that applies to all age students.

Resources amid her collection include copies of Parent Tool Kits offered at various grade levels. Also available online at www.newtown.k12.ct.us/ and under parent resources are a series of tool kits that state, “Board of Education Policy 8-605 prohibits bullying in schools. Bullying among children is aggressive behavior that is intentional and is repeated over time. Bullying in kindergarten and first grade usually involves hitting or name calling or not allowing a child to play with the group. Bullying may cause children to feel lonely, anxious, or sick. Sometimes children do not tell the school or their parents they are being bullied.”

General policy statements regarding bullying also indicate that the district will “actively prevent bullying through planned, ongoing, and systematic promotion of positive social behaviors for students and staff.”

Administration will investigate all complaints of bullying, according to policy, and students may anonymously report incidents to school staff.

Each school has a bully box for collecting complaints that can be placed anonymously. Parents who suspect problems may call the school, Ms Jackson said.

Overall, the students “are good kids,” she said. “Our kids are really nice kids.”