Hi eccentric and MagnetMom,

My son's old school used to do coffees with the principal too. Theirs were by grade and held once a semester. The principal would talk about news she knew the parents would be interested in, then take questions. There was time for people to mill around and chat too.

Hi eccentric,

Coffee with the Principal is another way to communicate directly with the administration. Unlike a formal conversation that requires an appointment, or a PTA meeting that requires most things being agendized, Coffee with the Principal is just a really informal chat session where seemingly tiny things get discussed, but it's often a different group than the PTA parents. It's short--maybe 30-45 minutes, and you can get face time with the person running the school (she's accessible anyway, but many people feel their issues are too small for a conference can bring them up there.

But it's not just gossip. Sometimes concerns come up, and get dealt with that would never have been brought up through formal channels.

I love the idea of swarming. Our Principal is very strict on children safety and does not tolerate bullying at all. It helps that this is an elementary school. We have anti-bullying assemblies every month, and children are encouraged to go to the office and complain the moment they feel somebody is being bullied.

MagnetMOm, what's Coffee with the Principal? Do you guys get together with the Principal on a monthly/bimonthly meeting and talk about strategies? Just curious!

Great ideas, all!

I was at a "Coffee with the Principal" this morning and the topic came up. The principal is advocating the swarm notion too--if children see someone getting picked on, they should drop what they're doing and stand with the victim. Suddenly what might have been 3 on 1 will suddenly become 3 on 10, and the power shifts.

My kids' school is doing a great program about bullying. In this 100-student, K-8 school, the kids are taught to "swarm" the bully. Whenever they see someone bullying someone else, they immediately go over and stand by the victim. If being bullied themselves, they are taught to (1) tell the bully to stop and, if that doesn't work (2) tell a teacher what is happening. The kids have drawn posters -- "Don't drink the Hate-or-rade" and "Stand up, not back" -- that are hanging all over the school. I don't know if it will have a long-term effect but my kids are certainly talking about it.

Bullying. My Grandchildren have had occurences of just such children (elementary). I advised my Grandchildren to turn their back on them and walk away. Don't hold a dialog with the "Bully". If the Bully continues by making physical contact, immediately tell the teacher. If she/he doesn't listen tell the Principal.
If He/She doesn't listen tell the parent. If the latter would happen, then the chain of command is way out of line. My Grandchildren have tried "turning their backs" on the Bully. They have found that they don't need to go to step #2.

hold your head up high attitude ignore them,my daughter had a bully picking at her and calling her names. she said to him sticks and stones may break my bones but the words you say to me will never hurt me.was this helpful

www.opencongress.org/bill/110-h3132/text
This should help :)

Humor!

To: Sussex County High School Students
From: Becky Carlson, Coordinator and Dot DelCampo, Assistant Coordinator
Re: Annual Middle School Anti-Bullying Summit
June 20, 2008
We are looking for mature, responsible, high school students from Sussex County who are interested in being
mentors and group leaders for the middle school attendees at our 8th annual countywide anti-bullying
conference. The event, which will be held on Wednesday, October 22, 2008 at the Sussex County Technical
School, is fun and educational for both the middle and high school students. Being a part of an initiative to
empower middle school students to reduce bullying and its negative aspects is a great opportunity. Not only is
this an incredible event to be a part of, but you will be doing a wonderful service to the community.
Below are some specifics for the day. If you are interested in being a part of this day, please have your
parent or guardian fill out the attached form and return it to us by October 3rd.
• A request to give student volunteers an excused absence for October 22nd will be sent to all high school
principals in August. This request has always been granted but please confirm with your school
administration prior to the event. A letter will be sent to the school principals advising them of the
students who will be participating.
• We have hired a motivational speaker to do the training for the group leaders on Tuesday, October 21st
from 6:00-8:00 in the McNeice Auditorium at the Sussex County Technical School in Sparta. It is a
mandatory meeting to review the details of the summit. If you do not attend the training you will
not be allowed to attend the summit! You will be responsible for finding transportation to the
training. Pizza will be served.
• On Wednesday, October 22nd, it is imperative you arrive at McNeice Auditorium at Sussex
County Technical School by 8:00 AM. Bagels and juice will be provided.
• It is your responsibility to coordinate your ride to and from the event. In the past, some schools
have sent students with a chaperone and supplied transportation. Please speak with your principal to
find out what your school plans on doing
• Cell phones must be kept off during the event. High school volunteers are there as role models and
should have their attention focused on the middle school students and speakers, not text messages.
• Dress is casual. Please wear nice pants, either khaki or denim. You will be given a summit tee shirt to
wear, which will allow middle school students to identify all of the high school student facilitators.
• Please be prepared to stay until 2:30 PM, after the middle school students have all left.
• If a volunteer does not show up for the event without notifying us in advance as to the reason, their
school will be notified and they will not be allowed to participate in future summit events.
Please call Dot or Becky at 973-383-4787 if you have any questions.
Sussex County Coalition for Healthy & Safe Families
A program of the Center For Prevention and Counseling
61 Spring St, 3rd floor, Newton, NJ 07860
Phone 973.383.4787 Fax 973.383.6576

www.cristina.org/article/713-Preventing+Bullying+At+Schools+With+Computer+Role+Play+Game.html

Current News
Preventing Bullying At Schools With Computer Role Play Game Researchers from the UK, Germany and Portugal have developed a game that helps children identify and thwart bullying in schools by using role playing. The game, "FearNot!" is being tested by 1,000 children all over Europe.

From the article:
Bullying is an often underestimated problem in the everyday life of school children. Studies show that this behaviour can be found in nearly every school and that the incidence is considered to be quite high. Bullying can take many different forms including name-calling, spreading rumours and lies, as well as threatening, blackmailing and beating up other children

In the specially developed computer game “FearNot!” each child takes the role of an invisible friend of the victimised character, discussing problems and exploring possible solutions and coping strategies. The advice given subsequently influences the actions of the victim.
Tags: Education, Health, Schools, Technology



Digg | Technorati | Del.icio.usRead The Full Article (sciencedaily.com)


Link to this page: Preventing Bullying At Schools With Computer Role Play Game
Originally Published: 10/08/2007 by Adapted from: ICWE International Conferences at Science Daily






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Now a days, bullying always seems to lead to violence. But despite the craziness of the world:
strategy 1- and probably the best is to show confidence, holding your head straight, eye contact, and an "i don't care what you think of me" attitude tends to the bully away.
Bullies prey on the ones that are perceived as "weak" , with some eye contact, and assertiveness it should do.

The first strategy we've taught our son in a teasing situation was to speak in a loud voice, saying something like, "Leave me alone," or "I told you to stop bothering me." Not only does it embarrass the teaser, but it brings his/her bad behavior to everyone else's attention.