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Its About We - A Hingham Community Initiative to Stop Bullying and Harrassment
www.itsaboutwe.com
June 12, 2008 MEETING POSTPONED
Over the past several months, we have been aggressively working to address what we, and other parents perceive, is a growing problem of bullying and harassment in our schools and community.
The issue not only pertains student/ to student behavior, but to all relationships within and outside of schools including, teacher/student, parent/teacher, coach/player etc.
As we've communicated with school officials, we've been encouraging the need for a more pro-active, progressive approach to address these issues. While the schools do have programs in place, we still believe fervently, that more needs to, and can be done.
We're continuing to lobby for more robust K-12 programs and community building activities, to address the overall climate of each school. There are various progressive approaches which can be easily implemented within our schools, and promoted within our community.
While an improved school climate is critical in addressing this issue, it is equally critical we recognize that much of this behavior occurring in our schools, is often a result of behavior that is developed, repeated, and tolerated outside of school.
We have suggested that an Interschool/Community Committee be formed, comprised of parents, educators, clergy, and youth group leaders (sports, scouts, etc.) to work together and develop various strategies to promote positive change in our schools and community.
As a first step, an event was hosted in March at Hingham Middle School. While attendance was outstanding, the format of the meeting did not allow the open dialogue, which was our goal, to take place.
Let us try again to have that open dialogue, to voice our concerns and share our ideas for positive change. Only by working together, and openly discussing the issues, can any change come about.
Just recently, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Published a book entitled “Direct from the Field – A Guide to Bullying Prevention”.
Please copy and paste the link below to a new browser window; to download a copy and the other attachments. If you can't, please contact us and we'll happily e-mail you a copy.
http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=eohhs2terminal&L=4&L0=Home&L1=Consumer&L2=Family+Services&L3=Violence%2c+Abuse+or+Neglect&sid=Eeohhs2&b=terminalcontent&f=dph_com_health_violence_c_bullying&csid=Eeohhs2
For more information, Please e-mail us at info@itsaboutwe.com
Mitch and Ginny Paine
“Be the change you wish to see in the world” - Ghandi
Email us at: info@itsaboutwe.com
Visit us at: http://www.cafepress.com/itsaboutwe |
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