“People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.”

“People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.” ~ George Bernard Shaw

...on anti-bullying/anti-harassment efforts during October - National Bullying Prevention Month:

This proactive and inspiring quote can be applied to so many situations in education, and needless to say, throughout society. However, we often hear common expressions as it relates to teaching manners, character, tolerance, and addressing bullying type behaviors, "Boys will be boys; girls will be girls; it's just a part of growing up; kids these days just don't have respect," and so on. 

Here at Graettinger-Terril, we are trying to reverse these all too often accepted excuses for unacceptable behavior. Though it is sometimes difficult to be without error, the phrase, "What I permit, I promote" is one we try to keep front and center. Simply having a conversation is better than looking the other way. 

When processing incidents with students, a key reflection question we ask, "Am I a part of the solution, or am I part of the problem?" As we review details of a situation, and as we explore our own fingerprints and footprints, it's really very simple. Either we are promoting a positive culture, or... we are not.

When we hear, "Agh, it's just how kids are these days," or "Why's everyone so uptight??...We had this all the time when we were kids, and we are just fine!" Food for thought: Is this really how we want society to shape itself? One last frequently repeated set of questions from the bully's corner, "Why didn't the victim say, "Stop"?" and "What are YOU doing to teach the victim how to stick up for him/herself?" Believe me, we are doing our best to help those with perhaps a little less experience and confidence in dealing with harmful threats or physical attacks; however, it is not where we should be shining the light. We, not just the school but also the community, have an ethical responsibility to teach right from wrong. 

Photo from WSAZ NewsChannel 3

Let's wind up the gears to find ways we, together, can teach good manners, strong character, healthy tolerance, and self-reflection skills. I would much rather we join forces and work from prevention than from reaction. 

Whether you believe it can be done or cannot be done; believe it or not, we have many fine people throughout our school and community "already doing it."

Join G-T staff members in wearing blue tomorrow (October 7) and other days throughout the month of October as publicized. Please contact us with any questions or concerns regarding bullying and harassment in school.

--------------
A little more background on the criterion used to identify bullying and whether it may be legally actionable: 

McGrath Five-Point Criterion (Bullying and Harassment/Hostile Environment)

1. Harm Occurs/Target in a Protected Class
1. intent must often be inferred from the action of the alleged perpetrator
1. "When you were doing that, what were you trying to do? What did you mean to cause?"
2. directed at a member of a protected class of people  (race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, etc.)
2. Unwelcome
1. is the conduct welcome by the recipient?
2. *even if someone consents to the behavior, it does not mean the behavior is welcome (*imbalance of power)
3. Severe, Persistent or Pervasive (to be bullying, behavior only hast to fit one of these three below)
1. the more severe (assault or threat of bodily harm), the less a pattern of misconduct is required
2. the behavior is persistent - repeated
3. the unwelcome behavior is pervasive - found throughout the school environment (not just in one place)
4. Unreasonably Interferes with Education
5. Subjectively and Objectively Interferes
1. subjectively, did the alleged victim experience unreasonable interference?
2. objectively, would a reasonable person similarly situated be unreasonably interfered with?

McGrath Five-Point Criterion is from McGrath Training Systems (Mary Jo McGrath), www.mcgrathinc.com

--------------