Cyberbullying occurs when one is harassed, threatened, humiliated, targeted by another through interactive technology. Today’s youths are very techno-savvy and rely heavily on technology to communicate. Through the use of cell phones, the internet, and instant messaging, cyberbullying follows a child home and can occur any time, day or night.

Sooooo, how do you protect yourself from cyberbullying??

• block the bully from sending messages
• notify your cell phone or internet service provider
• tell a parent, teacher, or counselor
• do not retaliate or respond to the message(s)
• be respectful of others, online and offline

Conside other’s feelings and remember, once you hit the send button, you can not stop your message….think before speaking or typing…

Use technolgy in a safe, fun, expressive way for all to enjoy!

Pre-Deployment:
Set educational goals with the student before leaving. This can be talking to a Kindergartener about learning to read while the parent is away, or a middle school child about the grades they are going to strive for on their report card and the steps they are going to take to reach the goals. With a high school student this can be talking about classes they are going to register for. The conversation is dependent on the student and parent, but the goals need to realistic and reachable.

Let the teachers/counselor at the school know when a parent is deployed. This is not information that needs to be shared with a lot of people, but those that are in a position of providing a support system for the student need to know. Keeping an open line of communication with the school allows the child to see that educators and school are important.

Deployment:

Have the child send copies of progress reports, report cards, and work samples to the deployed parent.
Have the deployed parents email account listed for teacher communication.
If possible, the deployed parent can check school websites to find out about recent events to talk to the student about.
The older student and the deployed parent can read the same book, and have a conversation about the story.
When emailing or talking to the child the deployed parent can ask specific school related questions that do not require yes or no questions. What book are you reading? What is your favorite subject? Who do you sit next to at lunch?

Post-Deployment:
Set time aside to look through school work that was done when the parent was gone.

Topics have included the following vocabulary:

• Active Listening
• Empathy
• Ally
•  Disagreeing Respectfully
• Considering Perspectives

Students are involved in discussion and then practice each skill presented.

As school starts, students are faced with new responsibilites and challenges. Students have hopes, plans, and goals for the new year. Sixth graders have to remember locker combinations, class schedules, and where to go without being late!

Students come to school to learn, to use their academic skills. However, students need social skills too. Part of having a successful school year, is fitting in. As a school counselor, it is my goal to assist students in learning/improving social skills. Social skills include solving problems, communicating, getting along, managing anger, and making positive decisions. If students utilize social skills appropriately in middle school, they’re building life skills to help them become successful in the future.