Fifth Grader Takes Action Against BullyingJul 21 2010By Nancy Doherty, Outreach Coordinator Ziainey Stokes, a young student from West Philadelphia certainly provides timely evidence that schools are in critical need of programs such as Safe School Ambassadors to prevent violence and bullying in schools. http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local-beat/5th-Grader-Gets-Obamas-Support-Against-Bullying-98797139.html?yhp=1 Ziainey Stokes’ experience serves as an example of the precarious and dangerous social environment found in many schools today, even at the elementary level. She reports being the victim of harassment and abuse at two schools. From her point of view, bullying at school appears to be tolerated by students and staff. She wrote, “people don’t care.” This article caught my attention for two reasons. First, it provides an unfortunate example of how schools are often unable to create an environment where students can focus on their education. Victims of harassment and bullying spend more time worrying about what will happen to them on the playground or lunchroom rather than the lessons of the day. Second, and perhaps more importantly, Ziainey’s story shows that students do reach out for help from the adults in their community. She is looking for assistance from anyone who will listen and her persistence paid off. Rather than enduring the harassment passively, Ziainey took action. She wrote a letter to President Obama. Out of the countless letters from students across the county, Ziainey’s letter caught his attention. In his response to her, President Obama underscores the importance of a safe school culture when he wrote, “You deserve a safe, engaging and enjoyable classroom, and together we will strive to make this a reality.” Ziainey took President Obama’s words to heart and started her own organization that she calls “No Kid Should Be Bullied.” Ziainey’s goal is to help other kids feel accepted at school. Ziainey believes people do not care but here she is mistaken. The Safe School Ambassadors program provides students and staff with the strategies and tools they need to improve the environment at their school. This program puts students in a position to take effective action at their school. Safe School Ambassadors use these tools and support to create a school where everyone can feel secure. Just like Ziainey, all of us can take action to improve our school community. Ziainey chose to write to President Obama. We can be that supportive adult for a student as well. By writing letters or talking with the school staff, from the teachers to the school board, we let them know how much we value safe schools for our children. Let’s put our values to work for our youngest citizens. A great place to start is right here on the Community Matters website. We have a long track record of success with training students and staff across the country to prevent bullying and improve school environments. You’ll find different ways of getting involved from using our survey to assess school climate to purchasing our book. Please forward our information to school administrators or community members who value cooperation over conflict and peace over discord. 
Recent PostsRick Phillips Speaks On Bullying at the Clinton School of Public ServiceThe Clinton School of Public Service invited Rick Phillips, Executive Director of Community Matters as one of their Distinguished Speakers for their series of public lectures in Little Rock, Arkansas. Safe School Ambassadors school nationally recognized for its tolerance effortsMesa Linda Middle School in Victorville, CA was recognized as a “Mix It Up” Model School by the Teaching Tolerance Project. Straight Talk TNT - Teens ‘n Twenties Publishes Article Praising Safe School Ambassadors ProgramLauren Forcella, founder and editor of the website Straight Talk TNT: Teens ‘n Twenties, has written and published an article on her site praising the effectiveness of the Safe School Ambassadors program. Rick Phillips - Keynote Speaker at the National School Board Association ConferenceRick Phillips presented a two-hour keynote at the National School Board Association’s 71st Annual Conference on Saturday, April 8, held at the San Francisco Moscone Convention Center. SSA program Evaluation Report shows positive resultsA multi-year evaluation of the Safe School Ambassadors (SSA) program has been completed, with some very exciting and gratifying results. |