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Dear Jennifer,
As educators, we strive to teach our students not only what's
found in their textbooks but also the life skills they need to
become healthy and contributing adults in our society. We do our
best to understand the challenges they face and we want to be
available to help them - and their parents - in any way we can.
This issue of OH! News is designed to give you information on the
growing and hurtful trend called cyberbullying. What is
cyberbullying? Simply defined, it's online bullying and it's a
growing and hurtful trend among students in our society.
For the past 4 years, MindOH! has sponsored an annual Character's
Cool Contest to take a pulse on issues facing today's youth. It
helps us assess students' needs and predict future trends in order
to develop tools that help kids, parents and schools. In this year's
survey, there were over 5,500 participants (ages 11-18) and the
overarching theme was bullying with a specific emphasis on
cyberbullying.
What trends do we see? We see that the cyberbullying trend
will only grow bigger if we don't curb this issue now. Technology is
advancing - it's becoming more accessible. Because kids are the
early adopters, they're more comfortable with technology than
adults. And kids initially don't understand the implications of
using it in a negative way. The bad news is cyberbullying exists -
78% of the students surveyed have been exposed to cyberbullying.
The good news is these kids get it. Cyberbullying doesn't feel
good. They feel horrible when they are the victim. And they feel bad
when they are bystanders and they see the impact - they don't want
this done to them. Additionally, the bullies feel regret for their
behavior. They want solutions for dealing with this new form of
bullying that usually starts in the home but follows them to school.
What can you do to help your students or children in your
life? Take the time to read this month's article from Dr. Marvin
Berkowitz on "Character, Bullying and the Cyberworld". Please
share a cyberbullying lesson with your students - we've included a
Lesson Plan, Instant Cruelty, for your use. Finally, for
additional tips and information, you can take advantage of the 15
Free Cyberbullying Prevention Tools found at www.mindoh.com.
As always, we appreciate your support and your feedback. If you
see other ways we can help curb this cyberbullying trend, please
email me at beth.carls@min
doh.com.
Sincerely,
Beth Carls, Co-founder/CEO
| Character, Bullying and the Cyber-world |
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By Guest Authors Dr. Marvin Berkowitz and Melinda Bier,
University of Missouri-St. Louis
When we were students, there was no Internet and no known
Cyber-world. But there was character and there was,
unfortunately, bullying. As William Golding made patently
clear in his classic novel Lord of the Flies, there is
a frightening potential in youth to savagely psychologically
abuse peers, what has become known as "bullying." It has taken
many forms over the millennia from teasing gone too far to
individual predation to group bullying. And there are precious
few of us who have not been both a victim and a perpetrator of
bullying at some point in our lives. The point is that it
seems difficult to eradicate, almost part of the human
condition, and that it is quite variable in its
manifestations. Almost sounds like a particularly resilient
and adaptive virus, doesn't it?
And like most viruses, the symptoms of being bullied can be
mild or serious, even lethal. In Japan, for instance, bullying
may take the form of group bullying to the point where the
victim is driven to suicide. Grieving parents have attributed
several recent teen suicides in the US to cyber-bullying by
multiple perpetrators. In fact suicide from bullying has
become so prevalent that a term has been coined for it ...
bullycide.
And like many viruses, bullying adapts to its environment.
So new we have a new mutation of bullying, what many are now
calling "Cyber-bullying." Children and adolescents bully each
other electronically.
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| Funding Corner: The ASCD Outstanding Young Educator
Award, The Home Depot Foundation and American Honda
Foundation |
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The ASCD Outstanding Young Educator Award
ASCD, in their ongoing search for what works in schools,
has decided to seek out, highlight, and celebrate the
accomplishments of a young educator who achieves excellence
and equity in teaching and learning. The ASCD Outstanding
Young Educator Award (OYEA) is their way of recognizing an
emerging educational leader and sharing his or her exemplary
practices with the education community. Spring nominations
close April 15, with up to two finalists announced in May.
Nominate
Someone Today!
The American Honda Foundation
The American Honda Foundation makes grants to K- 12
schools, colleges, universities, trade schools, and other
youth-focused nonprofit organizations for programs that
benefit youth and scientific education. Maximum Award: $10,000
-$100,000. Eligibility: Schools and youth-focused nonprofit
organizations. Deadline: Grant applications are accepted four
times per year: Nov. 1, Feb. 1, May 1, and Aug. 1.
Visit
the American Honda Foundation
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| Culture Corner: Under the Surface |
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By Amy Dow, MindOH! Content Writer
What did you have for lunch today? What is your favorite
chocolate bar?
For many of us here in North America the answers to those
questions are easy. However, if you were to ask children in
Africa, there would be trouble. Many families live day to day
on little to no food, unhygienic conditions and little
education.There are many organizations that are striving to
help families and communities in Africa. The one that stuck
out most for me is The Kopeyia Ghana School Fund.
The Kopeyia Ghana School Fund is unique. The organization
provides a generation of children in Western Africa with the
access to education that will empower them to revitalize their
local economy and become a self sufficient community. With
this goal in mind KGSF has evolved from 80 students and two
teachers teaching in the shade of a palm tree, to a Pre
Kindergarten- through 9th grade school which now serves over
800 students. Not only has the school grown with the generous
support of volunteers, donations and the communal labor of the
local people, the school has also got some awesome graduation
stats. Check it out, 97% of the eight grading classes have
passed their Ghana National Final Exams. What an achievement!
The founder of KGSF, Robert Levin has been working with the
people in Ghana for close to 17 years. I had the pleasure and
honor of talking to him just a week ago. He gave me lots if
insights in what it is like to get to know another culture and
the amazing things that he has learned. We discussed how
unique and diverse world culture is. When you travel to
another county you must not only scratch the surface, but you
must see what is underneath. You will be amazed!! You can't do
this by visiting a county for a week and staying in a hotel or
hot tourist destination. You have to stay longer and get off
that beaten track.
So next time you plan a trip, why not go for longer? Or
check out the volunteer opportunities around the world. There
are hundreds to choose from. They can offer you an affordable
trip and you can get a truly satisfying experience getting to
know another culture and helping those in need. GO FOR IT!!
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Featured Lesson Plan: Instant
Cruelty |
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Cyberbullying is harassing, humiliating, intimidating
and/or threatening others on the Internet or using other
technology such as cell phones or PDAs.
This month's featured lesson plan will allow you and your
students to define cyberbullying, explore their knowledge,
attitudes and experience with it and determine your Personal
Internet Standards.
Download
the Featured Lesson Plan Access more free cyberbullying
prevention tools |
Get Involved!
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