There is a new awareness campaign that is a partnership between MPS and the Family Sunshine Center. It is working to change attitudes about bullying, not through punishments but by positive reinforcement and education.

The Rockin’ Respect campaign is a citywide effort to promote respect not only in our schools but throughout the community. Posters and educational materials will be placed in all MPS elementary schools and public libraries in our community encouraging students to “R.O.C.K” (Respect, Others, Create, Kindness). Helpful links and phone numbers will also be posted in schools and the community so students and parents know who they can call on for help if they are the victim of bullying or if they witness bullying.
In addition to Rockin’ Respect, students at several schools recently received peer mediation training and are learning how to resolve disputes between two people or small groups before they escalate. As a result, this leads to improved self-esteem, listening and critical thinking skills, and a better school climate for learning, as well as reduced disciplinary actions and less fights. These skills are transferable outside of the classroom.

The first step is educating our employees. The Sunshine Center, Character at Heart and other community groups have been working with elementary principals, teachers and counselors to provide resources that teach students how to show respect for themselves and others. These character education programs emphasize respect and kindness and how helping each other not only is the right thing to do, it makes us feel good, too.

Thanks to the public relations firm LWT Communications, we have a variety of wonderful materials to help support this effort. We will also have guest speakers for students like Jessica Brookshire, founder of Kids Against Ridicule, Aggression and Meanness (K.A.R.M.A.). Ms. Brookshire is a vibrant young woman who has served as an expert commentator for various news outlets on the subject of bullying.

It is no secret that parents are a child’s first teacher, and even before children learn how to read and write or can tell blue from red, they learn from us how to behave and solve conflicts. Parents are the most important tool in the fight against bullying. Please take the time to talk to your children – first to ensure they are not victims. Then help them understand that it is important that we are kind to one another and that making fun of another person or physically harming someone is not acceptable.

If your child is having trouble with another student, talk to his or her principal or the school counselor. Together we can help our children understand that problems are solved with cooperation and respect.