October is National Bullying Prevention Month and in recognition, the Sacramento City Unified School District (SCUSD) is sponsoring a series of parent and community bullying prevention trainings, according to an official press release.
The trainings are free and open to anyone in the community who wants to learn more about bullying.
“We’re working hard to raise awareness of bullying so our students can better advocate for themselves when bullying occurs,” said SCUSD Bullying Prevention Specialist Sheila Self. SCUSD is one of the only school districts in the region with a full-time expert dedicated to curbing dangerously aggressive behaviors.“The safety of our kids is our top priority.”
The community trainings are part of a district-wide crackdown on bullying that began in June 2011 when SCUSD’s Board of Education approved a sweeping new anti-bullying policy aimed at reducing incidents of bullying on campus and in cyberspace.
The policy defines bullying as severe or pervasive aggressive behavior – including electronic acts – intentionally directed at one or more students that result in:
- Fear of harm
- A detrimental effect on physical or mental health
- A substantial interference with academic performance
- A substantial interference with the ability to participate in or benefit from school or activities
At the trainings, parents can learn how to identify bullying behaviors and what to do if their child is being bullied, Self said. “Bullying is such a high-profile issue,” she said. “We want to make sure families have the tools to recognize it and get help.”
Trainings are from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on the following dates at the following locations:
- Wednesday, October 10, Sutter Middle School, 3150 I St.
- Monday, October 29, California Middle School, 1600 Vallejo Way
- Thursday, November 1, Rosemont High School, 9594 Kiefer Blvd.
- Tuesday, November 13, Will C. Wood Middle School, 6201 Lemon Hill Ave.
- Wednesday, November 14, John F. Kennedy High School, 6715 Gloria Drive
For more information, visit www.scusd.edu.
