Most Minnesota children look forward to the start of a new school year. Renewing old friendships, meeting new teachers and taking another step toward high school graduation makes them feel excited and challenged.
Some children might feel uneasy about all the new things they are expected to learn and be able to do in the coming year. But for too many Minnesota students, another school year means another nine months of fear and worry.
My department has launched an initiative meant to ease these children’s fears by addressing the causes and problems of bullying in Minnesota schools. We are going to provide information to every school district in the state, raise awareness of the problems and how to deal with them and start dialogues at the local level. But we will need your help to make school exciting and challenging instead of fearful and worrying for more Minnesota students.
Here are some things parents, educators, students and community leaders can do to reduce bullying in schools and help solve the problems it causes for our children:
– Agree that bullying – the repeated mistreatment of those who either cannot or do not defend themselves – is a problem that can and must be dealt with.
– Make clear that bullying in any form is unacceptable. Bullying is not a rite of passage. Children are not born to be bullies or to be targets of bullying. Bullying is learned; it can be unlearned.
– Take complaints of bullying very seriously. Immediately attend to the needs of bullying victims.
– Help someone who is bullying take responsibility for their behavior by holding them accountable, helping them change their behavior and making amends. Confront the offending student privately. Doing so in public can reinforce the bullying behavior and make things worse for the victim.
– Ask how you can help someone who is being bullied.
– Include all children in activities. Isolating children who are “different” or not popular can make them more vulnerable to bullying.
– Be aware that your behavior is an example for your child. Be a positive role model and teacher.
– Help develop a conflict resolution policy in your school district if there is not already one in place. Use this policy immediately and consistently.
– Learn, practice and teach skills such as anger management and peaceful problem solving.
– Ask schools and community educators to teach parents, guardians and trusted adults about proven techniques to address bullying, such as conflict resolution, peacemaking circles, anger management, and pro-social skill building, at PTA/PTSO meetings, parent teacher nights and interactive home activities.
If we all work together, we can help more of our students look forward to beginning a new school year. I am looking forward to working with you on these problems in the coming months.
-Christine Jax, Ph.D., is commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Children, Families and Learning.