|
|
It's time to deal with school bullies
By Leo Kelley, Ada Evening News
WINNING Editorial-August 2002
There's good news and bad news about school bullies. First, the good news. School officials are sending a message to individuals who bully and terrorize others: It will not be tolerated. Second, the bad news. It has taken almost a century for Oklahomans to recognize just how destructive bullying is to others.
It's nothing new. There have always been those who enjoy watching others suffer. For decades, some teachers and administrators have recognized the abuse taking place at their schools. Rather than dishing out harsh punishment to bullies to discourage such behavior they have often turned a "blind" eye to it. It has been the easier way, the coward's way to deal with theses disrespectful, abusive individuals.
Bullying, researches say, is often passed on from one generation to another like a deadly cancer gene. Actually, this type of sadistic behavior is more often learned from parents or other role models who take their feelings of failure and
unworthiness out on others.
While every bully doesn't grow up to be a criminal, research indicates that many bullies end up in prison. Data also reveals that a common thread exists between those who go on rampages at school and kill others: Oftentimes, these children have been bullies by others.
Policies to counter bullying are required for school districts statewide by Senate Bill 992, the Bully Prevention Act.
SB 992 requires school boards to adopt a policy by Nov. 1 prohibiting bullying, which is defined as harassment and intimidation by students at school.
The punishment for bullying depends on the type of offense and is left to the building administrator to decide. Bullying can end in immediate suspension, although detention or alternative in-school suspension could be other punishments.
We strongly recommend that area schools develop strong anti-bullying programs. Although many accept bullying as a natural part of the process, it isn't.
Nevertheless, those who believe that legislature will put an end to the problem are only fooling themselves. It will take added vigilance from some teachers who in the past have looked the other way. It will take a school board that is determined to end this shameful behavior. And administrators who have the guts to deal with bullies and their parents, some who are bullies themselves.
If these programs in our schools are really going to work, students must be provided an atmosphere where they can learn without being harassed and bullied. We owe it to the kids who have been taught to respect others. If we don't have what it takes to challenge the misfits who despise others just because they want to improve themselves, let's find people who do.
|
