No Bullies in Saratoga!

Saratoga Mayor Chuck Page has declared the week of Oct. 14-20 as "Freedom From Bullies Week."

According to Page, who was himself bullied as a child, the California Healthy Workplace Advocates, a coalition of citizens dedicated to ensuring civility and professionalism within the workplace, is working to increase awareness of the growing problem of workplace bullies.

The proclamation coincides with National Bullying Prevention Month and Page invited all students in Saratoga to attend the City Council meeting this week, held Wednesday evening at the Civic Center, 13777 Fruitvale Ave., to accept the proclamation.

The principals of Argonaut, Blue Hills, McAuliffe and Saratoga elementary schools, the principal of Redwood Middle School and the Head of Middle School from Saint Andrews attended the meeting.

So did representatives from Foothill, Sacred Heart and Marshall Lane schools. Some of the schools brought students and parents who are participating in the anti-bullying campaigns and they spoke about the steps they're taking to eliminate bullying.

Page recalled being bullied as a child while in the first grade and while riding his bike to school. "There was this bully, but some of my friends stook up for me and he backed down. That was my one experience with bullying, but it's so extreme ... now they can bully with texts, photo shop, through YouTube ... it can get real nasty," he said.

That's the reason the observance is so important to learn what bullying is and how to prevent it from happening, he noted. 

"We need to be aware of each other and having the courage to stand up and say, 'That's wrong ... you shouldn't do that,' when you see someone being bullied," he said. "It's one of the hardest things for kids to do."

The small document states that bullying is physical, verbal, sexual or emotional harm or intimidation intentionally directed at a person or group of people and that bullying occurs in neighborhoods, playgrounds, schools, in the workplace, and through technology, such as the Internet and cell phones.

"... Bullying can result in physical symptoms, depression or anxiety, absenteeism, reduced productivity, employee turnover and may have lifelong impacts on those affected by [it]," the proclamation stated.