Ohio Schools Confront Bullying In The Age Of The Internet

CLEVELAND — We hope you’ve noticed over the past year that we’ve been focusing on bullying and cyberbullying, a confounding national crisis that turns youths’ lives upside down with unimaginable angst and dread, sometimes with deadly consequences. With each story, we’ve heard poignant stories from Patch readers in Ohio and others who were bullied and overcame it, but also many who continue to struggle with the damage done by bullies to their self-esteem.

Many common threads emerged in emails from our readers: Teachers and other educators have suggested everything from first-period decompression time to classroom contracts with students on how they’re expected to treat one another. But for all the readers who said schools need to do more to foster an anti-bullying culture, as many said parents should talk more with their kids about bullying and keep closer track on their social media habits.

And in a loud chorus, they said Americans need to stop wringing their hands and work at all levels to create a world safe from bullying.

That’s one of the purposes of National Bullying Prevention Month, observed annually during October to bring attention to the problem and involve people in Ohio and nationwide in a conversation on how to create a world safe from bullying.

STOPPING BULLYING IN OHIO

Northeast Ohio school leaders have been trying to face down the problem of bullying in their districts and individual schools. That has meant a variety of programs and activities designed to bring their students together and eliminate the barriers that frequently serve as catalysts for alienation and bullying.

"We understand the impact that bullying behavior can have on students. We work hard as a team to prevent these types of situations from happening by creating a positive environment for students and educating them on the impact of their behavior," said Avon Superintendent Mike Laub in an email to Patch.

Laub's district has been utilizing PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention and Support) initiatives and a rotating cast of guest speakers to teach students about acceptance. The programs can range from in-depth discussions on bullying, to something simpler like wearing orange as a sign of group solidarity and community.

Neighboring Westlake City Schools uses its own version of the PBIS system, and holds its own anti-bullying assemblies. Several school districts, including Westlake and Avon, have also installed "buddy benches," a special bench where students can sit if they are feeling bored or lonely. Other students can then go to the bench and ask them if they would like to play or talk. It's a simple, if shy, way of saying, "Let's be friends."

"One of the pillars of learning is for every student to be able to come to school every day with a positive outlook. That positive outlook begins with feeling safe and being excited about coming to school. The Avon Lake staff works every day developing a culture in which students treat each other with respect. From Pre-K to the 12th grade, we continually work on how to act toward each other and what to do if you are not treated correctly or if you see someone else being mistreated," said Avon Lake Superintendent Robert Scott.

Other schools, like Strongsville and Lakewood, took part in the "Start with Hello" movement, an anti-bullying campaign that encourages students to reach out to other members of their learning community. In Strongsville, even local businesses and civic groups were invited to take part by hanging signs that read #HelloStrongsville, a sign that their offices or retail shop was a safe space.

"Our hope is that this serves as another reminder of the power of saying 'hello' and being present with those individuals you come into contact with on a daily basis. We see this carrying throughout the school year and beyond for our District. If even one student feels someone made a difference in their life by helping them feel accepted, included, and valued, our efforts will be worth it," said Jennifer Pelko, Strongsville's assistant superintendent.

Ultimately, all of these preventive measures are in place to make students feel as safe and as at-home as possible. Students that feel alone or unimportant at school can see major dips in their grades. So it's also important to have a system in place to help students that are already being bullied.

"The battle against bullying is ongoing and must be a part of the fabric of school. We always as a district begin by focusing on the positive….how do you want to be treated and how do you treat other people. The reality that bullying can and will happen must never be forgotten. Having a system in place where students can, without fear, report being bullied or bullying is a must," Scott added.

A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE

Once viewed as a childhood “rite of passage” that toughened kids to handle the pressures of adulthood, bullying and its more insidious digital twin, cyberbullying, is seen by many experts as a major public health issue — on par with heart disease, cancer and diabetes — with devastating and often long-term effects like the loss of self-esteem, heightened anxiety and depression.

We want to hear from you. Do you have a story to tell about bullying or cyberbullying, a suggestion about how to stem it or an event to publicize? Comment at the end of the story, or email chris.mosby@patch.com and copy bullies@patch.com. You can post Bullying Prevention Month and many other events right on Patch.

Statistics vary, but an aggregate of 80 different studies on bullying suggests one in five American students between 12 and 18 is bullied at some point during their middle or high school years. Traditional bullying — name calling, public humiliation, isolation, physical violence and that sort of thing — occurs most often, with 35 percent of kids reporting they’ve been targeted in one of those ways. The studies cited by the PACER Center, which established National Bullying Prevention Month, show that 15 percent of kids surveyed report being cyberbullied.

And though it occurs less often, cyberbullying — which has resulted in a disturbing string of suicides by adolescents and teenagers — is especially hard to stop. While experts say most cyberbullied kids don’t kill themselves, the long-tailed internet makes a taunt live longer than one flung on the schoolyard. Kids can escape traditional bullying in the safety of their homes, but because social media is so intertwined with how kids communicate, they never really escape it.

READ: Bullied To Death: When Kids Kill With Words

And because cyberbullies have the stealth of anonymity, “empathy tends to fade to zero,” NoBully.org founder Nicholas Carlisle told Patch.

He was knocked around 40 or so years ago as an awkward 12-year-old. The torment persisted through high school, but as tough as it was, his experience was markedly different from the torture kids endure today, he says — and it’s not just that he was attacked in a physical as opposed to online space.

“Online, you can’t see the whites of their eyes,” Carlisle said. “If you can see someone, that’s often a break upon people’s aggression — not always, but it does seem to have some break upon crossing the line.”

(For more news like this, find your local Patch here. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here. And like Patch on Facebook!)

The full consequences of bullying on the brain aren’t fully understood, but kids who are targeted by bullies in childhood and adolescence are at increased risk for psychological problems that can stretch into adulthood, according to experts. In the moment, bullied kids may be unable to sleep or suffer a range of stomach issues and headaches. Later on, they’re at risk for depression, anxiety, and alcohol and drug use.

OCT. 24 UNITY DAY

Among the marquee National Bullying Prevention Month activities is Unity Day, observed on Wednesday, Oct. 24, when everyone is encouraged to wear and show orange to send a message that no child should ever experience bullying.

“Orange provides a powerful, visually compelling expression of solidarity,” Paula Goldberg, the executive director of the PACER Center, said in a statement. “Whether it’s hundreds of individuals at a school wearing orange, store owners offering orange products or a community changing a landmark to orange, the vibrant statement becomes a conversation starter, sending the supportive, universal message that bullying is never acceptable behavior.”

Here’s more about Unity Day:

THE BULLY MENACE: WHAT’S AHEAD

During October and beyond, several experts have agreed to answer readers’ questions about bullying, ranging from how to keep their kids from becoming targets to what to do if their kids are the bullies. We’ll also delve into some of the issues surrounding bullying —

Take a look back at some of the stories in our series:

• America’s Shameful Truth About School Shooters And Bullying
• They All Failed Changed Child: Malden Bullying Detailed
• Bullies, Their Targets The Same In A Surprising Number Of Cases
• ‘Everyday, I Wear Your Words,’ Teen Tells Bullies In Video
• Teen’s ‘I Wear Your Words’ Video Inspires Nashville Songwriters
• Bullying Of Mallory Grossman, 12, Spelled Out In Wrongful Death Lawsuit
• Poetry Teacher Helps Bullied Kids Open Their Tortured Minds
• Why These Kindergartners Start Each Day With A Simple Handshake

If you have a question or want to share your story, please email bullies@patch.com.

Photo via Shutterstock