"Bullying may be physical or verbal. Teasing, harassing, spreading rumors, actively ignoring or intentionally hurting another child are all forms of bullying. Victims of bullying are more likely to experience depression, less likely to be accepted by classmates and may experience a drop in their self-esteem. And in some cases, the effects are fatal, causing our children to commit suicide or do harm to themselves - dimming the light on their once bright futures."
--Katie O'Malley, first lady of Maryland
Happy Kids and Safe Schools is my way of encouraging people to advocate for community and school environments that are free from negative peer pressure and bullying. Happy Kids and Safe Schools is my official personal platform as a local titleholder in the Miss Indiana program.
Bullying affects approximately five million children in the United States, which is almost 1 in 7 school children according to the National Association of School Psychologists.
With 1 in 7 children experiencing bullying, this is a problem in every single classroom in America. This is a problem in your school, your community and maybe even your family.
I've had my own experiences with bullying which is what inspired me to take a stand. Taking a stand means a lot of things. It might be a student going to a teacher or principal to report bullying in school. It might be a parent demanding new polices with clear outcomes at a school meeting. Or it might be you, supporting new laws and legislation here in Indiana and across the country to help our kids be happy and safe.
Stop Bullying Now! is a national campaign to help educate kids and adults about bullying and what we can to to help. I like how Stop Bullying Now! talks about taking a stand and lending a hand, because solving this problem is about everyone helping.
Stomp Out Bullying! is another great online resource with lots of information to get you started. Remember, taking care of kids and creating safe, happy schools is everyone's responsibility, so as they say at Stop Bullying Now! "take and stand and lend a hand."
