Although Isolating, Feelings About Bullying Are Universal
I was writing about this Beat Bullying You Tube video from the UK and then I heard about the shooting in Ohio. Can we fathom the pain that some kids are going through? It’s a terrible question, but for every child who gets pushed far enough to take out a gun, how many others are […]
Am I Pretty? Girls Are So Vulnerable…
Time Magazine’s blog points out a disturbing trend. Young girls reaching out online trying to get reassurance. That spells disaster for a few reasons, including: • Girls who post videos like this are already feeling unsure of themselves and are desperate for reassurance. • Not feeling confident seems to make kids more of a target […]
Trusted Adults Can Be the Difference Between Life and Bullycide
A new study was released regarding bullying of gay and lesbian kids and suicide. Once again, it was good to have a study to back up what we already know. Perhaps this way, people will start really paying attention to solutions. What I want to discuss here is something that I think is key — […]
Weekly Reader’s Current Health Steps Up to Address Bullying
Weekly Reader’s Current Health Magazine is offering two free online special issues on bullying — one for grades 4-7, the other for grades 7-12 — worth reading and using in your classroom or at home. “Facing the Bully” issues are comprehensive and are also supported by an extensive teacher’s guide available online. It’s hard for […]
Kids and the Two Sides of Facebook…Feb. 7 is Internet Safety Day
Yesterday I was walking past two boys playing basketball. My guess is that they were about 12 years old and they were having a great time. Laughing and joking around. One of the kids had to leave and as he ran down the street, he yelled back at his friend, “See you online!” Today I […]
Artist, Second Ave. Sinatra and Rapper Step Up For Amanda Cummings
They didn’t know her. Geoff Rawling, a mural artist, Gary Russo, the 2nd Avenue Sinatra, and Rap artist JoJo Pellegrino came together at a local watering hole in Staten Island to offer their talent to help raise money to help cover the funeral expenses for Amanda Cummings, the 15 year-old who stepped in front of […]
No Name-Calling Week
Retard. Homo. Lard Ass. Spaz. Ask a middle or high school kid and they can usually come up with many more words meant to be weapons aimed at anybody who seems to be a little different…or maybe even someone that isn’t different but inspires jealousy. This week is No Name-Calling Week. Language is really important […]
U of Illinois Study: Social Goals: How Kids’ React to Bullying
This study, spearheaded by Karen Rudolph at the University of Illinois, is worth a read because knowing why certain kids have more difficulty in bullying situations may help us help them much more effectively. Although anyone in the bullying prevention field would like to come up with ways to wipe it off the face of […]
Amanda Cummings Went to School in My Neighborhood
It’s hard to believe that Amanda no longer goes to New Dorp High School. She didn’t transfer or graduate early. Carrying a suicide note, she stepped in front of a bus and later died from the injuries. What will it take for all of us to demand that we address the issue of bullying — […]
Bullying Diminishes the “Inner Resume”
Claire, the well-spoken teen who appears with author, expert and founder of Girls Leadership Institute, Rachel Simmons in this Tedx Women Talk, beautifully describes the irrational acts of exclusion and the fallout of real pain due to bullying in middle school. Rachel goes on to talk about the inner resume. Although I had never heard […]
