Grades 7 & 8 are wonderful years of students becoming more independent and growing into the young adults.  With that reality, peers can become of increasing importance and influence in their daily lives.  As parents and guardians that can feel uncomfortable.  The best way to support your child is to remain active and involved in their school and out of school lives.  You remain an important part in your child’s academic and social success.  Talk to your kids daily about the exciting things happening at school.  Follow our Twitter feeds so that you know what is going on in the school and you can encourage your child to stay involved.  Our twitter feed is @ParkManorPS. PKM is a wonderful school with great students and staff.  Our staff’s caring approach to your child will help build the bridges that will keep your kids growing, learning and safe.

It is unfortunate that despite these great supportive factors bullying still exists.  In today’s society there are many instances of reported and unreported bullying.  With our young teen’s attachment to technology, we must be vigilant in our awareness of who our children are talking to online.  A rule of thumb is that if that person is not someone that you might have sit at our dinner table or have over for a get-together, then establishing those connections would be important.   Some students at this age try to get as many followers or friends as possible without really knowing them.

Within our school, we have a plan.  Bullying is not accepted.  All staff have had training to identify the various types of bullying and to ensure that they feel they know how to respond in various situations.  Our students will learn through our staff what bullying looks like and sounds like and how it is different from conflict.  We encourage positive interactions for our kids through programs like the compassion games and the Umbrella Project.  Our student of the month initiatives help reinforce the skills that kids need to be compassionate, contributing members of society.  Both consequences and supports are in place for perpetrators, victims and bystanders.  Our plan focuses on moving bystanders into the role of responder as research shows that this is the best way to stop bullying.  The small act of helping a victim or letting a staff member know about a situation can make all the difference in stopping bullying.

If your child shares a concern, please ensure that either they speak to an adult in the building or that you give us a call.  Our kids are too important for bullying to be permitted.