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Whitehall district moves to protect vulnerable students
Saturday, September 23, 2000
Bullies have been an unpleasant part of growing up ever since the first kid crossed the schoolhouse threshold ages ago.
As any adult who as a child never quite "fit in" with the crowd will tell you, some unknowing educators and parents have dismissed complaints about bullies for years, saying that crossing their paths was a part of growing up. Or, just as bad, they have given into gender stereotypes by saying with a shrug of the shoulders and a note of resignation, "Boys will be boys."
But school violence, awareness of the psychological development of children and the impact of dysfunctional families on them, along with just plain common sense, have prompted a change in attitude toward bullying. Finally, the problem is being taken seriously. It's about time.
In the Whitehall School District, Principal Donna Milanovich, teachers and counselors started an anti-bullying education campaign for Harrison Middle School, with the goal being to wipe out bullying at the middle school and, eventually, throughout the district.
There are a number of valuable aspects to the program. First, it encourages pupils to "break the code of silence" and end the tacit support that is given to bullies because of fear or a desire to conform.
Peers exert a powerful influence on the young, and if they send a message that it's no longer acceptable to hurt other people, there's a stronger chance it will be heard and acted upon.
It's also important that parental involvement is a key element of the program. Everyone knows that follow-up at home with families is important to avoid sending conflicting messages to youngsters.
Other steps being taken at Harrison Middle School should prove helpful as well. For instance, janitors, school bus drivers and coaches will be trained to watch out for bullying. That will reduce the likelihood that those inclined to bully will do it outside the classroom, where they think it will be tolerated.
Isolation is an important component of bullying that needs to be addressed, and to reduce it in the cafeteria, the school replaced rectangular tables with round ones that encourage interaction.
The tough part now, of course, will be enforcement. Students must realize that this is a serious matter. The pupils have been through role playing, movies and lectures and have been given material, as have the teachers and parents.
It is to be hoped that other school districts will follow Whitehall's example and take steps to make sure bullying becomes a part of educational history along with McGuffey readers and one-room schoolhouses.