l[
Page Twelve
N/Warren Town and County News
Thursday, September 23, 2010
/
MORE HOMECOMING PHOTOS
Middle School Cheerleaders
Varsity Cheerleaders
Homecoming pictures by Toni Johnson Photography and Dave C. Smith Photography.
DISCIPLINE SEMINAR
Concluded from p.8
ing, register ahead of time. Provide the number of people attending, any children
accompanying and contact information to bcollins@norwalk.k12.ia.us or 981-1850
ext. 1406. There is limited space available. This seminar is open to families with stu-
dents attending Oviatt, Lakewood, or Norwalk Middle School.
OVIATT
Concluded from p.8
4
Varsity Cheerleaders
Norwalk High School Band
Genius is I percent inspiration, 99 percent perspiration.
-Thomas A.
Edison
ashamed to tell their parents. Pay attention to changes in your child's behavior and
social activities (e.g., loss of appetite, sleeplessness, headaches, nervousness, s 0ol
avoidance) and let your child know that he or she can talk to you if someone is being
cruel to them.
Prevent
• Be prepared. Children are most likely to pick on others who are, or who come
across as, weaker or different. If your child is markedly different from his or her
peers, prevent any possible teasing by helping your child develop strong self-confi-
dence and self-esteem.
• Work with the school. Does your child's school have a policy that addresses teas-
ing? [f not, bring it up for discussion. Many schools have character education pro-
grams that may also help prevent aggressive behavior.
• Strength in numbers. Boys and girls with a good group of friends are less likely to
be the victim of teasing. Help your child cultivate a group of buddies. Encourage
social and group activities-from Scouts to sports teams-to give your child peer sup-
port.
TakeAction
If your child is the victim of teasing:
• Report it to the school. Elementary and middle school children can be very sly in
their abuse of others, much of which escapes detection by adults. Report any harass-
ment to the teacher as soon as you become aware of it. Involve the school counselor
and, if necessary, the principal. Schools are more aware than ever of the negative
implications of teasing and are implementing programs to address the problem.
• Teach coping skills. There are excellent materials written for children who are
victims of teasing. Ask if your school counselor has a program to help children cope.
Check out online resources (e.g., www.no-bully.org, www.antibullying.net,
www.bullying.org, www.n cpc.org) and books for children and adults. Role-play
with your children about how to respond when they are being harassed, showing
them how to come across as strong and self-confident. Above all, take action to help
them realize that it isfhe teasers, not themselves, who are troubled.
• Work together until the problem is fixed. You, your child, your family members,
teachers, counselors, and the school will all need to work together until the issues
are resolved. Most importantly, children need to know that their home is a safe ha-
ven, a place where they will not be teased by siblings or parents, a place where they
can relax and be themselves.
