Thanks in part to a $2,500 grant from the Center for Injury andViolence Prevention at the Virginia Department of Health, parents andstudents in Roanoke County this fall will have a chance to voicetheir concerns about bullying.
Four forums will be conducted in Roanoke County this fall to focuson cyberbullying - the relatively recent trend of students' harassingtheir peers online. Other types of bullying also will be discussed.
The forums will be sponsored by a partnership between the RoanokeCounty Council of Parent-Teacher Associations, the Roanoke CountyPrevention Council and the Kevin Jones Performing Arts Studio.
Beth Fobare, president of the council of PTAs, said thepartnership is the first of its kind for the organizations.
"Our goal is to get more parents involved with their children andthe Internet, so that they can become more knowledgeable about whatis happening," she said.
Eleven bullying grants were awarded for the first time this yearthrough the center's 2004 Small Grant Funding Opportunity, accordingto Youth Violence Prevention Specialist Brian Ambrose. Lynchburg,Rockbridge and Tazewell counties also were awarded grants.
A good work plan and previous experience with youth violenceactivity and community involvement aided in the center's decision toaward a grant to the Roanoke County coalition, Ambrose said.
He also was pleased with the group's focus on cyberbullyingbecause it will gain more attention in the future, he said.
"Cyberbullying is a new topic that we've just been confronted within the last year," he said.
Fobare, the mother of a senior at Northside High School and aseventh-grader at Northside Middle School, said bullying occursthrough e-mail, chat rooms and other means. It's a problem seen mostin fourth through ninth grades, she said, although it's not limitedto that age group.
"It's just a growing issue, and a lot of people aren't aware ofit," she said.
With concerns about bullying in Roanoke County schools,Superintendent Linda Weber said she is pleased that the forums willbe held.
"I don't like any of our kids coming to school and not feelingsafe," she said. "Anything we can do to cut into that should bedone."
Dates and times for the forums haven't been determined, Fobaresaid. In addition to the forums, the grant will allow the group toair public service announcements, directed by Kevin Jones.
Organizers approached Jones about using his studio as an outletfor adding drama to the group's mission to heighten awareness ofbullying.
"People are unaware of bullying," he said. "I had no idea it wasas big as it is."
Through funding from a three-year grant awarded to the RoanokeCounty Prevention Council in October 2001 by the Governor's Officefor Substance Abuse Prevention, Jones directed "True Colors." The 30-minute drama staring middle and high school students encourages theirpeers to take a stand against bullying, cheating, self-injury,substance abuse and disrespecting their parents.
He said he wants the group's efforts to serve as an eye-opener forparents and that kids see an opportunity to realize that they are notalone.
"I hope people can stand up for their convictions once it's allsaid and done," he said.
Tips for Parents
Tips to prevent your child from becoming a victim:
- Instill self-confidence in your child.
- Assist him or her in establishing good friendships and othersocial skills.
- Teach him or her to seek help from you or another trusted adultif she or he is harassed.
- Try to meet with the bully to work things out; if the problemcontinues, call or meet with the parent of the bully.
Tips to prevent your child from becoming a bully:
- Teach your child to respect himself or herself and others.
- Clearly state that violence is not acceptable.
- Assist your child in finding nonviolent strategies for angermanagement and conflict resolution.
- Present yourself as a model of nonviolent behavior.
- Seek help from school counselors for bullying and aggressivebehavior.
Source: www.vahealth.org / civp / index.htm
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