03/16/10 - Workshop aims to prevent bullying

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: March 16, 2010
Contact: Deborah Luehrs
deborah.luehrs@siskin.org
423.648.1708, office

School administrator training to address bullying
National expert to speak, offer ways to prevent bullying

To register for the seminar, click here.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Almost six million children in the United States are believed to be involved in bullying, and the problem has long-ranging, serious consequences, researchers say.

Kids Like You, Kids Like Me, sponsored by Unum, and presented by Siskin Children's Institute, will offer guidance to school administrators on how to prevent bullying through evaluation of the school climate and development of prevention policies.

The free day-long workshop April 29 will feature Susan Swearer, Ph.D., a University of Nebraska-Lincoln researcher, who will help administrators:

• evaluate the school climate;
• define, recognize and assess bullying;
• recognize differences in bullying across school years;
• indentify critical components in a bully prevention plan;
• implement practical strategies for reducing bullying; and
• write an effective bullying policy for each school.

“Bullying is no longer considered a harmless part of growing up,” Dr. Swearer said. “Rather, parents, psychologists, school personnel and policy makers have become increasingly aware of the severe consequence of bullying in our nation’s schools. The need for a safe, non-threatening learning environment has never been more evident.”

Research suggests even bullies themselves suffer consequences because of their actions. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finds that 60 percent of those characterized as bullies in grades six through ninth had at least one criminal conviction by age 24.

“School administrators are vitally important for creating a school climate where bullying is minimized,” Dr. Swearer said. “This seminar will provide participants with realistic strategies that are inexpensive, straightforward, and designed to eliminate the conditions in schools that allow bullying to occur.”

Children with special needs are particularly vulnerable to bullying. In October 2009, a Murray County, Ga., teen with Asperger’s Syndrome committed suicide after being the target of bullying, his parents said.

“Incidents like the one in Murray County are disheartening,” said Tracey Carisch, director of the Siskin Outreach and Resource Center. “We often find bullying policies and other proactive measures such as disability awareness training can help.”

In today’s technology age, bullying reaches far beyond the schoolyard. Students on Facebook and other online social mediums are finding it harder to escape bullying.

To register online, visit www.siskin.org/bullying.

BULLYING FACTS

• 5.7 million children report being involved in bullying
• 13 percent reported bullying others
• 11 percent reported being the target of bullies
• 6 percent said that they bullied others and were bullied themselves

SOURCE: The National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

ABOUT SISKIN CHILDREN’S INSTITUTE

Siskin Children's Institute makes life better for children with special needs and their families. Founded in 1950, the non-profit organization achieves its mission locally and nationally through four initiatives: education, outreach, health care and research. The Institute provides early childhood education where children with and without disabilities learn together; family support and professional development programs; developmental behavioral pediatric health care; and innovative research in early childhood development and special education. For more information about Siskin Children's Institute, visit www.siskin.org.