A rash of teen suicides (4 in the last six months) has alarmed a Schenectady, New York school district. At least two of the suicides have been directly attributed to abuse and bullying, especially girl to girl harassment. However, the school superintendent has been quoted as spreading the blame, “The community is also beginning to understand that these activities are embedded within neighborhoods and even in the homes across our city and across our country.â€Â He has also made the point that educators aren’t parents and that their influence and control are limited.
Of course, the superintendent is right, but I’d like to see him step up and tell what part of the problem he’s going to attack with speed, intensity and determination.
First, he sounds like he’s leading a debate down the pathway of analyzing all the factors involved and describing the ones he might label as the most important. He’s an “educator,†which means he’ll get stuck in “analysis paralysis.â€
But he doesn’t have to analyze or solve the whole problem of teen abuse and bullying in society. He simply has to take responsibility for the number one task of his school district and of each principal. The number one task is not education, it’s safety and security. Only when he can guarantee pretty good safety and security, can the principals and teachers in his district do their second task of education.
Second, he doesn’t have to continue analyzing what’s wrong at school, the kids know and each teacher, principal, administrative assistant and bus driver also should know. One brave middle school student spoke up at a community meeting pleading, “Just help us. We need help.â€Â The four suicides, all in the same high school should be a wake-up call to him.
The superintendent is also wasting the summer; his best opportunity to get programs developed and installed. Summer is the best time to do the behind-the-scenes work to get an anti-bullying, anti-abuse campaign ready so they begin resolutely on the first day of school. A few straightforward, but sometimes difficult steps are for the superintendent, principals and a core group of committed parents are to:
- Develop programs complete with detailed descriptions of what’s considered abuse, harassment and bullying, and with swift, firm processes to impose consequences including expulsion.
- Get support from teachers and staff.
- Get buy-in from the community and a majority of parents.
- Train teachers and staff in what to recognize and how to respond effectively.
- Kick off the program with the students when school starts. Teach them what to do if they’re picked on or if they see bullying or abuse happen to someone else. Teach them how to be bully-proof.
Notice that I haven’t said anything about educating, therapeutizing or rehabilitating bullies. That succeeds only after anti-abuse, anti-bullying programs are implemented.
Wall plaques saying that students must respect each other are nice but ineffective by themselves. A detailed program with clear consequences, implemented strategically, firmly and continually can solve 90% of the problems at school. That’s the best that schools can do
Also, that would be teaching children and teenagers that the adult authorities will actually fulfill their responsibility. New York may also need laws to force this superintendent to do his job.
Resource Cited: http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=788949
Ben Leichtling, Ph.D. is author of the books and CDs “How to Stop Bullies in Their Tracks,†“Parenting Bully-Proof Kids†and “Eliminate the High cost of Low Attitudes.†He is available for coaching, consulting and speaking. To find practical, real-world tactics to stop bullies and bullying at home, school, work and in relationships, see his web site (http://www.BulliesBeGone.com ) and blog (http://www.BulliesBeGoneBlog.com ).
2 users commented in " Teen Suicides Call for Anti-Bullying, Abuse School Programs "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackSchools are for learning not for bullying. Parents should teach their children how to respect others. It’s their responsibilities as parents to intervene in their children’s lives. Good behaviours start at home and can be accomplished without corporal punishments. However, if a teacher is able to observe a bad behaviour, she/he must do the utmost to alleviate the situation before it becomes a tragedy. It’s not always easy for teachers to intervene in every situation because they have too many students to worry about. A collaboration between the school and the parents could work wonder.
Hi Lili,
Thanks for your comment.
I think the major problem for good teachers is not that they have too many children; it’s that their principals haven’t established no-bullying policies and won’t back them up. The good teachers are afraid that if they intervene, the bully’s parents will attack the teacher for labeling their little darling as a bully. Like in the Harry Potter series, Lucius Malfoy protects his little terrorist, Draco.
Many good teachers are afraid. Unfortunately, many other teachers simply don’t care.
Best wishes,
Ben
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