Bullying has received a good deal of attention in recent years, as schools become more proactive in fighting the problem.
Tonight, Guilford County Schools is offering a bullying prevention workshop, titled “Bullyproofing Your Child.” The workshop will be hosted by Brenda Elliot, the GCS Executive Director of Student Services. She outlined what's in store for the workshop's attendees.
“We have some students who will be leading some presentations, as well as the District sharing what our goals are…talking about our own line, anonymous reporting system. We will be talking about our peer-mediation program we've launched in our middle schools; we also have some human relations commissioners in our high schools who will be talking with parents about how parents can be advocates for young people in preventing bullying," she said.
Elliot says that bullying is not necessarily the most pressing discipline problem faced by Guilford County schools, “…however, it's one of those areas that really impacts school climate, so even if there are just a few incidents taking place in the schools, if students feel there's a culture that accepts it, it can have a major impact on the culture of the school.”
The proliferation of the Internet and social media have changed the face of bullying in the past couple of decades. A harmful message can now be seen by thousands of people as soon as it's posted on-line. This makes it more pervasive, and more dangerous. Elliot says it's important for kids to have a good relationship with adults they can trust… and parents can play a big role in the prevention of bullying.
“Parents can help to ascertain whether it's really vicious bullying, or if it's just some teasing that's going on. Some of that teasing does take place and if parents are able to talk students through that, if that's what it is. But if it's serious bullying, they need to bring it to the attention of the school staff," she pointed out.
The workshop will be held this evening from 6 until 8 at the Ferndale Middle School Media Center, on Ferndale Avenue in High Point. It's open to students and parents… and child care is available for those between 3 and 8.
The workshop will include food, student presentations and small group discussions. Childcare will be provided for children ages 3-8, and children 9 years old and older are encouraged to join in the workshop. For more information and to register, contact Stephanie Savage at meltons2@gcsnc.com or Kim Gilyard at 336-819-2855, ext. 1114.
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