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Bully%2520(wince)

BULLYING

Bullying in the Fort Bragg Unified School District is a common occurrence.  The Fort Bragg Police Department’s School Resource Officers, school teachers and administrators address bullying on a daily basis. 

Bullying has taken a more aggressive tone in recent years and has gone far beyond psychological teasing to develop into a violent affair that can be detrimental to both the bully and victim. 

The following tips are offered for parents, teachers and students and are directly quoted from http://www.oprah.com/relationships/How-to-Deal-with-Bullies/1:

Warning Signs
Your child might not tell you if he or she is being bullied at school. Look for these warning signs:
  • Acts withdrawn
  • Has unexplained injuries
  • Clothing is torn
  • Fears going to school
  • Has trouble sleeping
  • Mood changes
  • Stops talking about school
  • Finds excuses to miss school
  • Has new friends
  • Displays aggressive behavior at home (Sometimes if your child is being bullied, he or she will take it out on a sibling.)
How You Can Help
If your child is the victim of a bully at school, you should:
  • Take it seriously—don't minimize the experience.
  • Keep an open dialogue with your child about the bullying.
  • Don't assume the bullying has stopped if your child stops talking about it.
  • Give consistent advice.
  • Bolster your child's self-esteem in other areas. Help them find an activity where they fit in.
  • Don't go it alone. Find other parents whose children are being bullied and organize.
  • Remind your child what you like about him or her and encourage them to find a group of allies.
  • Contact your child's school to report what is going on.
What Not to Do
If your son or daughter admits that they are being bullied, Rachel Simmons says you should:
  • Never tell them it's a "normal phase."
  • Avoid minimizing their problem.
  • Never tell them they are being oversensitive.
  • Never tell them that they are doing something to cause the bullying.
  • Never tell them that they must be joking.
What Your Child Can Do

Even though your child may protest, you must tell his or her school about the bullying and work with the school to make sure it's doing everything possible to protect your child. You can also help your child deal with bullies from the start by telling them to:

  • Deflect the bullying with humor.
  • Speak out—say, 'Stop that. I don't like it!"
  • Get friends to help. Ask them to stand up to the bully

The most important thing for a child to remember is that he or she must tell an adult when the bullying starts. An adult can support and empower the child, and take the power away from the bully.