The Bully Project

The official film synopsis:

This year, over 13 million American kids will be bullied, making it the most common form of violence young people in the U.S. experience. Directed by Sundance- and Emmy-award winning filmmaker, Lee Hirsch, Bully is a beautifully cinematic, character-driven documentary—at its heart are those with the most at stake and whose stories each represent a different facet of this bullying crisis.

Following five kids and families over the course of a school year, the film confronts bullying’s most tragic outcomes, including the stories of two families who’ve lost children to suicide and a mother who waits to learn the fate of her 14 –year-old daughter, incarcerated after bringing a gun on her school bus. With rare access to the Sioux City Community School District, the film also gives an intimate glimpse into school busses, classrooms, cafeterias and even principles offices, offering insight into the often-cruel world of children, as teachers, administrators and parents struggle to find answers.

While the stories examine the dire consequences of bullying, they also give testimony to the courage and strength of the victims of bullying and seek to inspire real changes in the way we deal with bullying as parents, teachers, children, and in society as a whole. Through the power of these stories, Bully aims to be a catalyst for change and to turn the tide on an epidemic of violence that has touched every community in the United States—and far beyond.

Currently, the film is rated R for strong language, although there is a movement to lower the rating to PG-13. Regardless of the rating, I do believe this is a movie for all parents and their children. And don't just watch it...talk about what it means to be bullied and how to help. For more information or to sign the petition to change the rating, go to  http://www.thebullyproject.com

Or, to read more reviews, go to: http://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/bully

Bullying and Teasing: No Laughing Matter | Scholastic.com

Bullying and Teasing: No Laughing Matter | Scholastic.com



Here is a great article I thought every parent should read...

‘Tis the Season for Giving and Gratitude

And for those of us who need a little holiday help with the "Gimmie Goblins" this holiday season...

‘Tis the Season for Giving and Gratitude

A Very Merry Character Tree!

In an effort not to leave anyone out this holiday season, some of the students and staff helped me put together our "Character Tree". We think it turned out great.
Like the commercial says, "It's not what's on the tree, but who's around it."

Happy Holidays!

An Inspirational Message

While talking to our students about the effects of bullying on others, it is very difficult for us to really understand what happens to those victims. Students want to know "why can't they get over it" or "they'll be ok"...

But how do they really feel? This is a great video. Please take the time to watch and talk with your kids...

Getting Ready For The Holidays

As I'm writing this, I feel like I'm still in the warm glow of "turkey coma"...the sensation of eating turkey until feeling like you're going to pop, resulting in not wanting to eat again for a week.
After rolling ourselves away from the table on Thursday afternoon, us ladies began looking through the sale ads, looking to see if there really was anything we wanted to stay up all night and wait in line for - there wasn't. If you are like most people, you are sometimes at a lost as to what to give our children for Christmas that would interest them for more than a few hours.
Common Sense Media has compiled a list gift ideas...take a look and let me know if it was worth posting!

70+ Gift Ideas for Every Kid on Your List

11-11-11

Yesterday, I asked some of our students and teachers why is Friday a special day? Their response: It's 11-11-11! OK - what else? All I got were blank stares...
Yes, the calendar anomaly is cool, but it's Veteran's Day people! A time to reflect and give a heart-felt "Thank You" to all of our military personnel.
My boys and I have been watching the Vietnam in HD documentary on the History Channel for the past few nights and I asked them what they were doing in school to recognize Veteran's Day. Both boys told me that they had an assembly or breakfast where Veterans were invited to be their guests and do some special activities to thank them for their service to our country. Ian said this was one of his favorite days..."you get to do something that's real". Isn't that important? To connect our children to what is going on around them and teaching them how to be thankful and compassionate and what those words really mean?
Tyler mentioned that most of the people who came fought in Vietnam. He was really shocked after seeing some of the footage of how our soldiers were treated when they returned from the war. I count myself lucky to have sons who put the feelings of others in front of their own and are truly appreciative for all our service-men and women do for us...or, at least until Tyler is old enough to register! :-)
Happy Veteran's Day!