Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Ohio School Shooting

In thinking about and praying for all those affected by this horrible tragedy, I am wondering why there are always conflicting reports.  As usual there are the similar reports that the shooter was an outcast, dressed in goth style, and didn't have many friends.
The conflict that is present, which I seem to notice happens often when things like this happen, is that some are saying he was bullied and others are saying he was never bullied.  I saw the same thing happening with Ruth Ann Payton, the 12 year old girl who killed herself two weeks ago.
Are others just not willing to admit there was bullying?  Are they afraid of being bullied themselves if they speak up?  Or do they just not want to get involved?
The school here in Chetek where Payton attended says they have things in place to prevent and report bullying.  But as teachers and counselors were meeting with the kids after Payton's death no one was saying anything about bullying, therefore making the school feel that bullying was not an issue.  I really don't like to accuse or suggest that the school officials were not telling the truth, but we all know that bullying goes on everywhere.  What I don't understand is why reports coming from outside the perimeter of the school grounds say bullying was definitely a part of this girls decision to end her life at such a young age.
My heart goes out to the families in Ohio who are having to deal with children who were injured yesterday, it goes out to everyone having to understand their feelings and fears.  It especially goes out to the family who lost a child.  No parent should have to suffer that.  And my heart goes out to the family of the shooter and him.  Obviously this boy, this child, was hurting in some way to make him feel the need to hurt and kill other kids.  I cannot pretend to know or understand why.  But it breaks my heart.
What are your thoughts on this tragedy?  What are your thoughts on why kids don't want to admit that bullying is occurring?  Are we as parents and educators, pastors dropping the ball somewhere?  Are we causing them to fear telling us these things or admitting these things?  I just want to understand.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Teacher Against Bullying

A teacher in New York was teaching her class about bullying and gave them the following exercise to perform. She had the children take a piece of paper and told them to crumple it up, stomp on it and really mess it up, but do not rip it. Then she had them unfold the paper, smooth it out and look at how scarred and dirty it was. She then told them to tell it they’re sorry. Now even though they said..................they were sorry and tried to fix the paper, she pointed out all the scars they left behind. And that those scars will never go away no matter how hard they tried to fix it. That is what happens when a child bullys another child, they may say they’re sorry but the scars are there forever. The looks on the faces of the children in the classroom told her the message hit home.

Monday, February 20, 2012

Taylor Swift

Anybody heard Taylor Swift's new song "Mean"
She wrote it because a critic was bullying her.

Student Takes On Bullying

This is a powerful video from one of our local high school students
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Friday, February 17, 2012

The Bully Tapes

David Levine
Another update...Thanks

The Bully Tapes
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Great Resources

Some great resources here!
empathy.ashoka.org
Want to keep learning about empathy and its many applications? We've compiled this list of resources to help get you started.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Payton Ruth Ann Richardson

http://www.weau.com/home/headlines/Friend_makes_video_to_honor_friend_and_stop_bullying_139339713.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsG8vZJRofg

Tonight I will be attending the school district meeting that was brought about by the tragic death of 12 year old Payton Ruth Ann Richardson who tragically ended her life on February 12, 2012.  The reason, bullying.  She felt she had no other options.  God rest her soul.  
Please pray for Payton's family, friends, teachers, and all of who are fighting to keep this from happening to one more child.  I would also ask that you pray for those who bullied her.  Pray that Jesus will reach their hearts and help them to find a way to stop their behavior.

God Bless you all.  Peace be with you Payton.