News & Features - Family

The Got Assets? Initiative, Pleasanton Unified School District and Faz Pleasanton stand up against BULLYING...

Presentation: Violence or Virtue, a Community Challenge

Presenter: Calvin Terrell, Social Centric

Date: Thursday March 22, 2012

Time: 6:30-8:30pm

Location: Faz at the Four Points Sheraton Ballroom

5115 Hopyard Rd Pleasanton, Ca 94588

Cost: Free

Calvin Terrell, uses a unique interactive approach that engages audience members in discussions about the spectrum of bullying and violence, strategies to prevent bullying and violence and the need for a culture of collaboration.

Here are a few You Tube video links to see what we have to look forward to…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOe2DhwZ2Nk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADDqn7QdzAE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2M0AlSxSaNI

Question: Is bullying a problem?

Answer: Yes bullying is a problem. Peer bullying is the most widespread form of violence in schools. This epidemic traverses through all age groups, ethnicities, genders, sexual identity, and socioeconomic class. There are four types of bullying: physical, verbal, relational, and cyber.

The costs of bullying are pervasive and in many cases devastating. Many of its targets experience bullying as traumatic, leading to chronic anxiety, depression, school absenteeism, and in extreme cases suicide and school shootings. For schools, the costs of bullying are countless hours resolving unending conflicts and the ensuing discussions with students, their parents, and anyone else involved in the community.

Pleasanton Unified School District is addressing bullying as a priority. We are beginning to work on solutions, interventions, and preventive measures. See what your school district is doing for your kids!

A bully-free school requires the entire school culture and community to be involved. This approach needs to be a non-punitive approach that follows the idea of "restorative justice" versus "no-tolerance". We need to stop labeling; there are not bullies only bullying behavior. We need to help our kids move from competition with each other to working together collaboratively. We need to help them to understand tolerance, respect and inclusiveness. How do we do this? We begin by modeling it!

Author: Jennifer Roush