The Start of the School Year Brings Bullying Prevention with STOMP Out Bullying
New York, NY, August 25, 2010 --(PR.com)-- Love Our Children USA announced today the Second Annual Blue Shirt Day to kickoff National Bullying Prevention Awareness Week. Blue Shirt Day is an initiative of STOMP Out Bullying to combat bullying and cyberbullying.
With the new school year beginning, this is a call to action for schools.
To signify the importance of National Bullying Prevention Week October 3rd – 9th, STOMP Out Bullying, a signature program of Love Our Children USA, created Blue Shirt Day which is observed on the first Monday of October. On this day, we ask kids and adults alike to make Monday, October 4th, the day that bullying prevention is heard around the world by wearing a Blue Shirt in solidarity to STOMP Out Bullying.
While this time of year should be an exciting time for learning, the reality for many kids and teens is often very different. They're the victims of bullying at school, on playgrounds and online. They’re afraid to return to school for fear of being bullied.
Ross Ellis, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Love Our Children USA said: "Kids who are intimidated, threatened, or harmed by bullies and cyberbullies often experience low self-esteem and depression. Some kids are so tormented that suicide has become an alternative for them. It has everyone worried. Not just the kids on its receiving end, but the parents and others who may not understand how extreme bullying can get. Parents, teachers and school administrators must take caution and sensitivity in handling these issues."
STOMP Out Bullying offers kids and teens a safe haven. From information and resources, to an online area where kids and teens can talk about bullying, to getting involved in social media efforts, signing a petition, a pledge for younger kids, raising awareness, Blue Shirt Day and PSAs from teen singers JoJo and Demi Lovato and the Oogieloves for younger kids. Kids can get involved by creating Blue Shirt Day and STOMP Out Bullying events. There are many ways to get involved.
Ellis said: "The more involved kids are with these activities, the more likely schools will participate. Last year one of our teen ambassadors got her school to participate in Blue Shirt Day."
Bullying can be so painful and clearly has played a role in recent suicides across the country. And cyberbullying is in full force with the use of social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and other sites popular with kids and teens. This social online cruelty is used by an individual or group intended to harm our youth.
Bullies and cyerbullies may have low self-esteem or even very high self-esteem, but they also usually come from homes of violence, anger and other maladies.
Bystanders are the kids and teens who witness the bullying and do nothing.
The victims, the bullies and the bystanders must get help.
Bullying starts as early as kindergarten. We have to look at prevention as a community issue. It’s up to parents, schools, law enforcement and the students to work together to educate and prevent – putting an end to the violence and to the suicides.
The parents of Scott Walz, Sladjana Vidovic, Phoebe Prince, Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover, Jesse Logan, Hope Witsell, Ryan Halligan and all of the others who took their lives know only too well, because they their kids could no longer take the daily torment. They might be here today if their schools had listened and taken a stand against all forms of bullying.
Ellis said: "Parents must learn to be tech savvy and keep open communication with their kids on a constant basis. Have that talk before the bullying and cyberbullying even start. Look for the signs. And school administrators can no longer sweep bullying under the rug."
Students should be educated about the harmful effects of bullying and cyberbullying. They can begin by observing National Bullying Prevention Awareness Week and Blue Shirt Day.
Recent Statistics Show:
- 1 out of 4 kids is Bullied.
- Approximately 160000 kids stay home from school each day due to the fear of being bullied
- 43% of teens, 97% of middle schoolers and 47% of older teens 18-24 are cyberbullied.
Ellis said: "Helping your children cope with either being a bully or a victim often requires outside assistance, such as from your child's school or the community. School and the Internet are the likeliest places for bullying to occur. Discuss your concerns with your child's teachers and counselor and ask what they can do to help. School personnel can and should be influential in helping a child modify his behavior. Take advantage of any psychological counseling services that may be offered at your child's school or in your community."
Bullying and cyberbullying are forms of child abuse and bullies are very likely to grow up as an adult who abuses children.
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With the new school year beginning, this is a call to action for schools.
To signify the importance of National Bullying Prevention Week October 3rd – 9th, STOMP Out Bullying, a signature program of Love Our Children USA, created Blue Shirt Day which is observed on the first Monday of October. On this day, we ask kids and adults alike to make Monday, October 4th, the day that bullying prevention is heard around the world by wearing a Blue Shirt in solidarity to STOMP Out Bullying.
While this time of year should be an exciting time for learning, the reality for many kids and teens is often very different. They're the victims of bullying at school, on playgrounds and online. They’re afraid to return to school for fear of being bullied.
Ross Ellis, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Love Our Children USA said: "Kids who are intimidated, threatened, or harmed by bullies and cyberbullies often experience low self-esteem and depression. Some kids are so tormented that suicide has become an alternative for them. It has everyone worried. Not just the kids on its receiving end, but the parents and others who may not understand how extreme bullying can get. Parents, teachers and school administrators must take caution and sensitivity in handling these issues."
STOMP Out Bullying offers kids and teens a safe haven. From information and resources, to an online area where kids and teens can talk about bullying, to getting involved in social media efforts, signing a petition, a pledge for younger kids, raising awareness, Blue Shirt Day and PSAs from teen singers JoJo and Demi Lovato and the Oogieloves for younger kids. Kids can get involved by creating Blue Shirt Day and STOMP Out Bullying events. There are many ways to get involved.
Ellis said: "The more involved kids are with these activities, the more likely schools will participate. Last year one of our teen ambassadors got her school to participate in Blue Shirt Day."
Bullying can be so painful and clearly has played a role in recent suicides across the country. And cyberbullying is in full force with the use of social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and other sites popular with kids and teens. This social online cruelty is used by an individual or group intended to harm our youth.
Bullies and cyerbullies may have low self-esteem or even very high self-esteem, but they also usually come from homes of violence, anger and other maladies.
Bystanders are the kids and teens who witness the bullying and do nothing.
The victims, the bullies and the bystanders must get help.
Bullying starts as early as kindergarten. We have to look at prevention as a community issue. It’s up to parents, schools, law enforcement and the students to work together to educate and prevent – putting an end to the violence and to the suicides.
The parents of Scott Walz, Sladjana Vidovic, Phoebe Prince, Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover, Jesse Logan, Hope Witsell, Ryan Halligan and all of the others who took their lives know only too well, because they their kids could no longer take the daily torment. They might be here today if their schools had listened and taken a stand against all forms of bullying.
Ellis said: "Parents must learn to be tech savvy and keep open communication with their kids on a constant basis. Have that talk before the bullying and cyberbullying even start. Look for the signs. And school administrators can no longer sweep bullying under the rug."
Students should be educated about the harmful effects of bullying and cyberbullying. They can begin by observing National Bullying Prevention Awareness Week and Blue Shirt Day.
Recent Statistics Show:
- 1 out of 4 kids is Bullied.
- Approximately 160000 kids stay home from school each day due to the fear of being bullied
- 43% of teens, 97% of middle schoolers and 47% of older teens 18-24 are cyberbullied.
Ellis said: "Helping your children cope with either being a bully or a victim often requires outside assistance, such as from your child's school or the community. School and the Internet are the likeliest places for bullying to occur. Discuss your concerns with your child's teachers and counselor and ask what they can do to help. School personnel can and should be influential in helping a child modify his behavior. Take advantage of any psychological counseling services that may be offered at your child's school or in your community."
Bullying and cyberbullying are forms of child abuse and bullies are very likely to grow up as an adult who abuses children.
###
Contact
Love Our Children USA
Ross Ellis
888-347-KIDS
www.stompoutbullying.org
About STOMP Out Bullying (www.stompoutbullying.org)
STOMP Out Bullying™ (a signature program of Love Our Children USA)
Ross Ellis
888-347-KIDS
www.stompoutbullying.org
About STOMP Out Bullying (www.stompoutbullying.org)
STOMP Out Bullying™ (a signature program of Love Our Children USA)
Contact
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