Today, people no longer consider their child’s safety at school a foregone conclusion. In fact, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, one of the top reasons families choose to homeschool is their concern about the school environment, including safety issues and negative peer pressure. This is an issue that people face from coast to coast, and it’s one that communities must address. The good news is that there are some things parents can do to help keep kids safer this school year.
“Only around five percent of families homeschool,” says Kirk Smalley, co-founder of Stand for the Silent. “It’s simply not an option for most people. We have to take a stand against the safety issues in school, especially when it comes to bullying and negative environments.”
As families kick off the school year, the idea of the bullying culture that may be waiting in the hallways and classrooms is a concern. Now is the time for parents, schools, and communities to proactively address the situation so that it doesn’t become a bigger issue later on. Some things can be done to help address the problem at all levels, and it is better to get ahead of it now rather than wait until it becomes an issue.
Here are some tips for keeping kids safer this school year:
Talk to kids about the issue. They need to know what bullying looks like, what to do about it, how to report it, why it’s unacceptable, etc. We need to normalize discussing these issues with kids so that they are prepared if and when it happens and so that we set the bar on what acceptable behavior is. Discuss bullying in school and online.
Create a culture of kindness. It’s important to respect people’s differences. We will never have everyone the same in any community, home, or classroom. We need to instill a sense of understanding and respect so that people focus more on other things. No matter how different people are, we all have certain things in common, and if we focus on those things, we will create a kinder culture.
Be mindful of sharing personal information. It’s a common practice for proud parents to post pictures of their child headed back to a new school year. When doing this, exercise caution in what personal information is being shared and who can see it. Avoid putting too much personal information in the photo or post, and be sure to check your account settings first so they are set only to show to your friends and not the whole world. That personal information can end up in the hands of predators and be used by others.
Help kids become more confident and learn self-defense. The National Institutes of Health reports that those who are more vulnerable to being bullied are often seen as weak, unable to defend themselves, and having low self-esteem. Improving in these areas may go a long way toward reducing bullying incidents.
Teach healthy phone habits. Not having a phone is not a solution for most families. Kids today have phones, which is not going away for the most part. It’s better to focus on teaching kids how to use them healthily, the dangers of using social media, and how to protect themselves. They also need to know about cyberbullying and what to do about it. Parents must also be sure they are leading by example when using their phones and social media.
Stand for the Silent has also launched a Student Stand Out program this school year. Teachers can nominate students who they feel stand out by being kind, addressing bullying, being a positive role model and good leader, having respect and integrity, and demonstrating actions that show initiative to end bullying at the school. Each week throughout the school year, one nominee will be chosen to receive a $50 Visa gift card, and at the end of each semester, one person will be selected to win a $100 gift card. The nomination period runs from August 1 to December 1 and then from January 1 to April 1.
Stand for the Silent travels the country, providing seminars and talks for communities and schools. They also offer helpful materials online to help people with bullying issues. Each year, they also give scholarships to students who help address bullying at their schools. To get more information on how to have the organization do a presentation or how to start a local chapter, visit https://standforthesilent.org/.
Smalley and his wife, Laura, started the organization following the death of their 11-year-old son, who ended his own life due to bullying. They turned their pain and loss into a mission to help others. Smalley travels the country giving presentations about bullying to schools, providing bullying prevention, giving out scholarships, offering intervention strategies, and more. “Addressing safety and bullying concerns is within all of our power, and we must do it to protect the kids,” he says. Those interested in getting involved can start a chapter of the group in their area, obtain a free K-2 bullying prevention curriculum or cyberbullying handbook for parents, host a presentation at their school, introduce the How It All Started video, and donate to help support the cause. To get more information, visit https://standforthesilent.org/.
