by elizabeth farina
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The old nursery rhyme “sticks and stones may break my bones…” has become an ineffective approach for children to confront bullies. Today, with text messaging, Facebook and similar social network sites, as well as the face-to-face confrontations at school, bullying has become a problematic issue facing youth and the whole community.

In fact, according to the National Education Association, an estimated 160,000 children miss school every day out of fear of attack or intimidation by other students. There have been 250 violent deaths in schools, and bullying has been a factor in virtually every school shooting, according to recognized bullying prevention statistics from nationally organization, Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights. Virginia is one of the 40 states that adopted laws on bullying. Ten states have not implemented laws addressing bullying.

Effective July 1, Virginia House Bill 1624 became law, mandating the Board of Education to create a model code of student conduct addressing “bullying, harassment, or intimidation …”

Two Chesterfield County middle schools have launched proactive bullying prevention programs to empower their students, enhance the level of positivity at school and build healthy relationships.

Swift Creek Middle School and Tomahawk Creek Middle School have implemented Olweus Bullying Prevention Program.  The kick-off of the Olweus program for Tomahawk Creek Middle School began at an energized school-wide assembly with international motivational speaker Derius Swinton on Friday, Sept. 18.

“What an opportunity to educate our staff and students,” said Tomahawk Creek Middle School assistant principal Derek Wasnock. “Everybody is on board,” said “We’re going from whole school, to grade level, to classroom.”

Wasnock explained that the entire school has taken ownership of the bullying prevention program with active participation from the administration, faculty and the students. Also, in line with the school’s mascot, the Timberwolves, the program has been renamed P.A.C.K, which stands for Peers Acting with Care and Kindness. “This is a way hopefully kids will see that we’re serious about bullying.”

Swinton’s school-wide message was clear – respect of self and of others.  In “3,000 seconds” Swinton delivered four memorable points that resonated with all present in the gymnasium. “There are four things you should do every time, count them, every time you come to school, on the campus, four things you ought to experience everyday,” Swinton said.

“First thing, you must be safe. You got to be safe. What does that mean? That no one can do hurt or harm to you because school is a safe place. No one can bully you. They can’t threaten you,” he told the students. “If you’re a student and don’t like yourself, don’t respect yourself, you’re going to bully somebody.  No, not in this school,” he emphatically said. He addressed the adults, clarifying that it is their job to protect each student.  Whether or not bullying is happening on the bus, in the hallway, or the cafeteria, Swinton assured the students, “You tell these people. Their job is to make sure you are safe when you come to school EVERY day. Bullies don’t belong here,” he said.

As well as being safe, Swinton encouraged students to be healthy. “Everything you put in your mind and body is to be healthy, to be stronger,” he said.  “Your purpose is to get education, knowledge and understanding,” Swinton said.

Third, each student is to build supportive relationships with each other. “Positive and supportive relationships; we will care about each other, and respect each other, and be kind towards each other, and we will value diversity this year. Bullying has nothing to do with it,” he said.  “Respect yourself every day. Respect your classmates. Respect your teachers … We are in this together. This is your space for you to learn.”

Last, Swinton encouraged the students to remain productive in school. “Every student that is in here today can be a successful student … You must be focused and never give up, never give up, never give up,” he said. “Everything in life, to be successful, is to be always moving in the same direction – forward.”

At the end of the assembly, with each cheer, students shouted back in unison the four tools to Swinton, “We will be safe! We will be healthy! We will be supportive! We will be productive!”

However, the PACK program didn’t begin or end with the assembly. Tomahawk Creek Middle School Principal Jeff Ellick said that Chesterfield County marks its tenth year implementing its system-wide Core Values for students. Ellick emphasized to all the students that the kick-off assembly only begins the program at the school. Students will have class meetings twice a month throughout the year to look at how to have a safe, healthy, positive, supportive school-learning environment that emphasizes relationships. “It’s very fitting for us to make it 100 percent school-wide effort that each and every student know that he or she is not alone, that you can always turn to the P.A.C.K.,” Ellick said.