How to Start an Anti-Bullying Campagin: Part 1

Start an Anti Bullying Campain

According to an article from greatschools.com bullying can happen to anyone from President Obama to tween idol Miranda Cosgrove (iCarly) there is growing awareness of bullying and the toll it's taking on young lives.

That's the good news. The bad news is that bullying is still alive and well at many schools around the country, as Marie Newman discovered when her son started fifth grade in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, an affluent Chicago suburb. The boy was cyberbullied by classmates and taunted at school. When Newman spoke to school officials, she discovered that the school didn’t have an official anti-bullying policy, nor did administrators seem clear about how to tackle the problem.

"It wasn't that they didn't care," says Newman. "But principals and teachers these days have so much coming at them that they're overwhelmed." So Newman decided to do it herself. She teamed up with another parent, Jacqui DiMarco, and the two mothers launched an anti-bullying program at their childrens' school.

Recruit a team

The first step? Seek as many allies as possible. Before approaching school district officials, Newman created a committee to explore the issue and gather information. “You want as many people in your corner as possible," Newman says. She recommends including bullying experts -- the YMCA is a good place to find contacts -- as well as teachers, child development experts, parents whose kids have been bullied -- even parents whose kids were bullies themselves. "Parents of kids who've bullied are like reformed smokers," she says. "They’ve become educated and are all about making it good.”

Newman also included high-end attorneys on her anti-bullying team. “We don't advocate suing anyone," she says. "But it's important for the parents to know their rights, and many can't afford to hire lawyers."

Tomorrow we will continue the article from greatschools.com and look at "Building the Case" and "Do Your Research".

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