APOSTOLIC News

Bullying is not just something that happens on the playground.  According to a recent survey by the American Public Health Association, more than half the 10,000 plus children polled said verbal and physical taunts happen in the classroom right under the teacher’s nose.  

Many adults don’t realize how often kids see and experience bullying at school.  Sometimes, adults at school know that a child is being bullied, but they may not know what to do, or may not realize the extent of hurt the bullying is causing a child.

Nevertheless, if your child complains that another kid or kids are saying or doing mean things to them, don’t assume the teacher or yard supervisor caught and stopped the behavior.  You may need to intervene in spite of your child’s request for you not to.

Kids often need help to stop bullying so you should never be afraid to contact your child’s school and report that your child is being bullied and ask for their help to stop it.  No child should have to tolerate bullying at school any more than you should tolerate name calling or taunting at work.

Here are a few tips on how to work with your school officials about the bullying problem your child is experiencing.

• Keep a record of the bullying incidents.  Record the kids names, where and when it happened.
• Meet with your child’s teacher and kindly tell her about your concerns.
• Ask her if she has noticed any of the bullying in class or if the other children seem to be excluding your child in some of the other school activities.
• Ask the teacher what she might be able to do to help stop the bullying from happening.
• Set up another meeting in the near future to discuss any progress.
• Keep notes of your meetings with the teacher and any other administrators.
•  If the bullying continues, set up an appointment to talk with the school principal. Be sure to take a copy of your notes with you and give a copy to them.
• Most school administrators are responsive to bullying concerns, however, if the bullying continues; write to your school superintendant for help.

[ Note:  If the bullying escalates and another child has physically assaulted your child or is seriously threatening them with bodily harm, you may want to consider involving law enforcement.  Ask you school administrator for the name and phone number of the school resource officer assigned to the school your child attends and contact them immediately.]

Every child is entitled to a safe learning environment and to be treated with respect by both students and staff at school.  To learn more about bullying and what you can do to stop it, go to www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov

Beth Baus is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a private practice in Riverside, CA.  She teaches for Apostolic School of Theology / Hope International University.  To learn more, visit her new website at www.ourhealthyfamilies.org