HFM
BOCES to host bullying seminar on Nov. 12
Fostering safety and respect key to countering school
violence
 Bullying
among young people is a significant problem for schools--and it
is steadily increasing. In fact, some experts believe bullying
has become so widespread and common, many adults are blinded to
its extensive harm.
HFM BOCES Instructional Services, together with Catholic
Charities Youth Services, will present a full-day professional
development seminar focused on bullying. The workshop—How to
Foster Respect and Safety In and Out of the Classroom—will
address the growing problem among students, and provide teachers
and staff with strategies they can use to help students avoid
becoming victims.
The seminar will be held Friday, Nov. 12, 2010 at HFM BOCES, and
is divided into two sessions. The morning session (8-11 a.m.) is
tailored for elementary teachers, while the afternoon session
(11:30-2:30 pm.) targets secondary teachers. The cost for each
workshop is $5 per person.
Studies suggest that one in seven students is either a bully or
a victim. The National Education Association estimates that
160,000 children miss school every day due to fear of attack or
intimidation by other students.
The impact of bullying on schools extends to more than student
absenteeism. Tension and violence quickly erode the secure
environment school leaders value as most favorable for learning.
School-related violence, including deaths, is frequently related
to bullying. Even when bullying is restrained to verbal
harassment, the victims and the bullies are statistically
associated with a greater liklihood to drop out of school,
develop psychological and social adjustment issues, and become
involved in criminal activity.
Problems also extend beyond just the antagonist and victim. A
Harvard study revealed that teen witnesses of bullying often
feel guilty or helpless for not standing up to a bully on behalf
of a victim. In addition, some students deal with guilt feelings
by blaming the victim and deciding he or she deserved the abuse.
In some cases, friendships are ended when a student abandons a
relationship with a bullying victim in order to avoid losing
status or also being targeted.
The HFM BOCES seminar has become even more relevant in light of
Gov. David Paterson signing the Dignity for All Students Act on
Sept. 8. The new law extends school districts' requirement to
protect children against bullying to include harassment because
of sexual orientation or weight.
While the new measure does not override existing laws or state
regulations against discrimination, it does require school
districts to revise their codes of conduct and adopt guidelines
for employee sensitivity programs. The new law will require at
least one staff member in each school to be taught special
instructional and counseling methods relevant to the newly
inclusions.
Registration for the bullying seminar is through HFM BOCES
Instructional Services. A registration form may be downloaded
here. |
