Bullying in schools is as old as any problem that plagues schools today, and yet it is one of those cases that receive the least amount of attention. The air of denial is sometimes so pronounced that some schools brand themselves as "bully free" institutions. In the end, these downplayed incidents leave victims traumatized and scarred for many years while the culprits gain more confidence to continue with their evil deeds. The American Association of School Administrators has recognized the problem that bullying presents in schools, and has provided pertinent information on their website: http://www.aasa.org/content.aspx?id=218. The Department of Education just released guidance for educators to assist in the reduction and elimination of bullying: http://www.onlinesentinel.com/news/Feds-issue-anti-bullying-guidance-to-educators.html. Each day there seems to be more news and information about this growing problem in our schools.
Physical abuse, taunting, and exclusion of the victim from popular groups and pasttimes are some symptoms of bullying in schools. The victims are usually those students who are typically insecure, branded as "nerds", and lack a circle of friends. Although most victims of bullying in schools are too meek to take matters into their own hands, a few of them can be pushed to certain critical limits. How do we combat this growing epidemic? Destination ImagiNation is not a magic cure for bullying but at the same time DI teaches students to respect the ideas and property of others. We teach collaboration and cooperation. We offer a fantastic opportunity for schools that are seeking positive ways to combat bullying and to teach social and emotional learning.
Challenges like projectOUTREACH tackle issues like bullying through innovative student thinking, last season I was fortunate enough to apPraise a team from Colorado at Global Finals. This pO team last year that earned a special award for their presentation on Bullycide. They took on this difficult topic after a student from their school was a victim of bullying. The team brought tears to the eyes of all of the appraisers and most of the audience, they took a topic that has be come cliche and redundant and brought bullying back to a personal place with all of us.
In knowing how amazing of a program this is, how it strengthens students to become strong independent thinkers, why wouldn't you want this for your kids and the students in North Dakota. If you know a school that needs Destination ImagiNation - call, email, text - 701.212.5372 or mkringen@creatend.org - I try to stay available through many different communication avenues!
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