Almost a year since this journey started.

The story behind Tariques-voice: http://youtu.be/3bx1A1PnOLM

The Prevalence of Bullying and the Severe Consequences

Bullying is such a severe and pervasive problem in our schools and communities now.  Times have changed and with the ease of social media at our finger tips at any second of the day the ease of being a bully has taken on a whole new meaning.

Despite the rise of bullying behaviors in schools and the attention it has gotten you would think that schools would give it more attention than it does. But the sad fact is that they don't. Even worse is the communities do not demand it.  We pay taxes, we send our children to school and think that once they are there they will be safe and receiving a wonderful education.  Schools do have a wide variety of resources at their hands to develop strategies to prevent and decrease bullying.  And the good news is that once the communities have started to rise up and demand it the school boards are putting that action into place.  They have become more open to allowing outside agencies come in and help develop programs or offer their services to the schools at either no cost or little cost. 

In order for schools to make a real advance against the fight in bullying behaviors they must be all feet in and willing to do whatever it takes.  The need to be part of a district-wide anti-bullying campaign that has the commitment of all their staff, students and their parents.  While some schools simply have a one time assembly "stating bullying is not tolerated" this is not acceptable.
There needs to be a comprehensive, multifaceted, wide-ranging program that addresses the school climate and culture.  This approach will ensure the best results and the greater chance and making sure kids are safer in their schools.
Clearly bullying is an issue that not only resides in the schools but it is in our communities, homes and work. 

Society must address this change and I leave you with this:

"If we are to reach real peace in the world, we shall have to begin with our children - Gandhi

Bullying from a Policy Perspective

Kids these days yearn for a school that they can go to and feel safe. Those type of schools are few and far between now days. I remember the days where there were not alarms on doors where you had to be buzzed into the school, you did not have to wear a name tag and certainly there were not police officers roaming the halls. But face it those days are long over.
As you send your kid to school this year and you look to address the school climate particulary in respects to bullying, it is important to review your boards policies to insure they are inline with current state and federal laws and reflect the district's zero-tolerance stance.  You might think that this information is not easily available to you as a normal parent, but it is and it is our right as parents to demand it.
Bullying and harassment is a very serious issue in schools and there has been a great amount of discussion in legislation about the subject. In Ohio there was a passage of Ohio House Bill (HB) 116, the Jessica Logan Act.  Jessica committed suicide in 2008 after relentless cyber-bullying and other harassment. So you should be aware of three (3) key policies that a board MUST adopt are:
Zero Tolerance; hazing and bullying; and Internet safety policies.
According to state law, all school boards must adopt a zero-tolerance policy.  This policy should contain a statement that "the board has "zero tolerance of violent, disruptive, harassing, intimidating, bullying or other inappropriate behavior by it's students."  Within this policy, it is important to state that students will be disciplined for failure to comply with this policy. The policy does not have to outline the specific discipline, but rather refer to the procedures in the student handbook.  The district MUST provide written information about the zero-tolerance policy to students and parents annually.
Most schools do this by putting a "Blurb" about it in the student hand book. But  let's get real here how many student's read those and honestly how many parent's of those kids get to see it in the book. I know my kid's don't show me their student hand book and I am all over them about this sort of thing.  What about the parent's who are not? 
A little less known fact:
In 2009 HB 19 added the requirement that districts are to provide continuing education instruction in grades 7 through 12 regarding dating violence prevention. This should be stated in the zero-tolerance policy and in the district's hazing and bullying policy.
So when your kids get their books look in them and check.  If that information is not in there, if your kids are not getting their educational instruction about this DEMAND it from your Educational Board.

www.tariques-voice.org

Is your Kid a Bully? What does it mean to be a bully?

What Is Bullying?
It's bullying if:
• One person is hurting or harming another with words or behavior.
• It is being done on purpose.
• The person being hurt has a hard time making it stop.
• The kids who are doing it have more power.*
*“Power” can mean the person bullying is older, bigger or stronger,
more popular, or there’s a group of kids who “gang up” on someone.

Bullying can be:

Physical: This one’s easy to recognize. This is when someone pushes, shoves, hits, kicks, bites, or otherwise hurts another kid’s body. It can also include taking or damaging someone else’s things.

Verbal: It’s really common because it is quick, direct, and easy to do.  Examples include teasing, name calling, threats, mean jokes, rumors, gossip, and saying things about someone that aren’t true.

Emotional: This type of bullying isn’t always obvious, but it can hurt a lot.  It hurts people on the inside and makes them feel bad about themselves.  Examples include leaving someone out on purpose, telling lies about  someone, and embarrassing somebody publicly. 

Cyberbullying: Using technology is the newest way to bully. Examples include sending mean text messages, posting videos, stories, or photos that make fun of someone, and spreading rumors online.

 A lot of kids describe bullying as, "When someone tries to make you feel bad about yourself.”

"They only have the power if you let them have the power"

Be a Friend, Receive a Friend the 5 Must Do's when it come's to a Bully

Everyone goes to school the first day and they think, Okay it is a new day and a new year, time for a fresh start.  But then you approach those same faces you tried your hardest to stay away from the year before.  And before you know it the day does not feel like a brand new day but yet more like Ground Hog Day!

Here are some 5 simple rules when it comes to a bully! Set the tone first and foremost at the start of the year.  Bullies tend to go towards the more meeker looking student's.  Those they feel they can target easy and continue to abuse throughout the year.

The old saying that there is safety in number's rings true!  I suggest that you be a friend and you will in return receive a friend.  Make a goal to at least meet 1 new friend a day.  If that is too much then aim for at least 1 new friend per week.  Mix it up a little and try to sit at different lunch tables throughout the week if you are allowed.  Hopefully you will have different locker neighbors so you are able to introduce yourself.  Make it a point to be friendly.  It is hard to pick on someone that everyone knows.

www.tariques-Voice.org
A Place to Educate, Encourage and Support

Are you Gearing up for School yet?

Are you ready for the school year to start? I bet a lot of parent's including myself are beyond excited. However, there might be some kiddo's who are not all on board as of yet.  It might be because they don't want summer to end or that they don't want to endure another year of "prison" tortured by their bully either out in the open or on the down low. 
As a mother who knows first hand, I have spent my entire summer day in and day out preparing my son on how to behave appropriately if he is bullied again this year.  What steps he must take if it happens again to him or if he sees it happen to another student.  I have spent the entire summer preparing my son to be an UpStander this year around and to teach others to do the same.  I am so proud of the young advocate he has become and the countless hours of research both my daughter and my son has done to be better informed.
Parent's take the time sit with your kid's for at least 10 minutes and talk about what it means to be an UpStander and a ByStander.  We will be putting up tips for speaking with your kids and survey's such as"Is your kid a bully?" and "Is your child being bullied"?

Please send in all questions or concerns. We would love to hear from you.....