Jeffery Johnston Stand up for All Students Act.

Every year as the first day of school approaches, MILLIONS of studentsaround the world contemplate what the year will bring.

Great times with old and new friends, achievements that will shape their future, a year full of fun memories that will last a lifetime. We wish this was the case for all the youth of today and tomorrow.

UNFORTUNATELY THE SAD TRUTH IS:

Every year as the first day of school approaches. Millions of students around the world FEAR what the new year will bring

Physical violence on a daily basis, slander on line, emotional attacks for no reason, depression creating a fog around you, and memories that can haunt you a lifetime

Last year we had: From August 2011 to June 2012 Total reports 2,801Unsubstantiated 1957Substantiated 850

This year to date: August 2012 to March 3, 2013Total reports 2,144Unsubstantiated 1, 788Substantiated 356

“The shameful act of bullying in our schools, school buses, bus stops and activities is everyone’s problem” (Bully Police U.S.A.).

At some point in our life, we will be touched by an act of bullying (Bully Police USA). Bullying and abuse on school property will only be removed from our schools by the combined effort of many concerned and compassionate individuals.

Make it a Safe Haven

Bullying on the Bus

With around 24 million children riding school buses daily in the US, the problem of bullying on board has experts alarmed and scrambling for solutions.One adult preoccupied with traffic, 20 to 65 kids bursting with energy. Most school buses are rife with the kinds of conditions that foment bullying. According to Committee for Children researcher Miriam Hirschstein.

Hirchstein said,

“Most teachers agree that a child who arrives for school humiliated or injured is not ready to take on challenging academic pursuits.”

Nationally Buses are the second most frequent location of bullying

behind the playground.

Pinellas County Transportation Survey Says

BULLYING

Is the number one safety issue on the school bus.

Because of the close area, other students can easily be drawn into the action, either as additional victims or succumbing to the peer pressure to be a bully themselves. Severe bullying can distract the driver, increasing the risk of vehicle accidents that can severely injure students, other motorist and pedestrians.

23% of Pinellas County Schools preventable school bus accidents are caused by student disruption. Let’s look

at the out come.

Bullying is not a rite of passage and does not create a safe passage

to and from school.

Dangers of Bullying

While there is no doubt that bullying is dangerous to the student being tormented – in addition to physical harm, constant bullying tactics can damage a child’s confidence, self esteem and other personality traits – bullying is dangerous to everyone in the vehicle.

On the Bus Bully Lookout

Signs of School Bus Bullying

•Fear of going to school, bus stop or riding the bus.•Habitually delaying or otherwise deliberately trying to miss the bus.•Continually asking for rides to school

More Signs of School Bus Bullying

•Finding excuses to ride with friends Instead of the bus.•Ripped clothes, missing possessions or signs of physical abuse that a teacher or bus driver is unable to report happening in class or on the bus.

It is estimated that nearly one in five students is subjected to school bus bullying.

The Pinellas County School Board upholds that bullying of any student or employee is prohibited:

•During any educational program or activity conducted by the district school;

During any school-related or school-sponsored program or activity;On a school bus or at a school bus stop; orThrough the use of data or computer software that is accessed through a computer, computer system, or computer network within the scope of the district school system.

How Can We Help

Keep bullying off the bus by empowering kids.

1. Stop the behavior even if you are not sure if it’s bullying. Ignoring or not intervening sends the message that bullying is allowed or it will not be stopped. 2. Let all students know that bullying or any inappropriate behaviors are not allowed on this bus and will be reported. 3. Make sure all students are in assigned seats.4. Move problem students to the front of the bus if necessary.

5. If a student reports bullying to the driver or the driver sees bullying it must be report by going to the District’s Online Reporting site www.bullying.pcsb.org and let an administrator know too.

For Pinellas this is a requirement:

Teaching Tolerance

School Bus Anti-Bullying Pledge

We the Students of ______________________________________Agree to join together to stop bullying.

BY SIGNING THIS PLEDGE I AGREE TO:Treat others respectfully.Try to include those who are left out.Refuse to bully others.Refuse to watch, laugh or join in when someone is being bullied.Tell and adult.Help those who are being bullied.

Signed__________________________________________

Date____________________________________________ By Mary Harrison

Everyone’s Children Lillian Kate

Each of us must come to care about everyone else’s children. We must recognize that the welfare of our children and grandchildren is intimately linked to the welfare of all other people’s children. After all, when one of our children needs some lifesaving surgery, someone else’s child will perform it. If one of our children is threatened or harmed by violence, someone else’s child will be responsible for the violent act. The good life for our own children can be secured only if good life is also secured for all other people’s children.

LET”S STAND UP FORAll STUDENT’S IN ALL

PLACES