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BULLYING HURTS AND KEEPS ON HURTING
Newsletter - September 08
Bully Beware's free newsletter keeps you up with the latest and hottest news about bullying. Every issue of this free newsletter is jam-packed with great information about bullying, news of our services and special offers for our merchandise. This is a totally spam-free service, as is our entire site, and your e-mail address will be used for nothing but our newsletter. Please send us an e-mail if you would like to submit any stories or experiences to the newsletter or if you have any suggestions.
September is all about Building Positive Relationships
No matter where you are in the world, September is a “full ahead” month. This month, I am asking all of us who work with children or youth, or work in a position of leadership, to really focus on building positive relationships with others who might be new in our lives, or those who have challenged us in the past, and maintain those positive relationships that we have already built. Our kids and students learn from us. They learn best from our actions, not our words. Bullying is about relationships gone bad. Youth and children who adopt bullying behaviours are abusing the power they have in their relationships with others. Kids need to see the adults in their lives engaging in healthy, powerful, reciprocal relationships. They need to see us have patience, and be welcoming to newcomers. They need to see us embrace and welcome different styles. To that end, be very aware of the way you interact with your partner, your teaching colleagues, your students and even the cashier at the local grocery store. We have no control over the relationships our kids are a part of in their own homes, but we DO have the power to have an impact on our interactions with others in our schools and communities.
GREET your students by name. Say hello to them in the hall. Hold the door open for them and remind them, gently, to thank you for your kindness. One of my favourite reminders is to say quietly “Thank you Ms. Seddon” after the kids have passed through the door I’ve been holding. After a while, they catch on and remember themselves. Smile at them.
GREET your colleagues in the hallway when you pass them. Go out of your way to be sure that others feel included in your circle. Do you always sit in the same seat with the same group in the staff room?? Take a risk! Invite someone else to be a part of your circle.
Mind your manners in staff meetings. When one of your colleagues has a new idea that may not match your style, but has the courage to present it, listen and ask information seeking questions. Eye rolling, catching your friend’s eye across the room, heavy sighing; all of those behaviours are rude do not build positive relationships. Holding a grudge against a colleague and passing each other in the hallway as if the other doesn’t exist is childish, and teaches our students that it is ok to treat others as invisible. Find a way to be professional even with those you find hard to work with.
GREET your partner or spouse with excitement, enthusiasm and love. Remember that this person is so important to you, and let him or her know that. Show those around you that you truly care about the ones you love. Do a check with your self. Are you more positive with those you know less or those you know best.? Be sure you have it the right way around. Show your good manners. Surprise someone with a compliment. Say the nice things that you are thinking. Hold yourself up to the same expectation and dream that you hold for your students. Remember, bbullying is all about relationships gone bad. Show others how to make them go right.
The October newsletter will feature some new facilitators and presenters. Please be sure to watch for these new faces.
Bully B'ware Productions
6 Bedingfield Street,
Port Moody,
British Columbia,
Canada V3H 3N1
Telephone/Fax: (604) 936-8000
or 1-888-552-8559
E-mail: info@bullybeware.com
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