LETTERS

 

School has a longstanding anti-bullying program

To the Editor:

I write in response to the recent string of letters on bullying, as the parent of one child at Worthingway, and another at Worthington Park.

I also write as a product of the district: my husband and I are both Worthington graduates, and are raising our family here because of our strong connection to the community and the continued excellence of the district.

It is every adult's responsibility to help both children in a bullying relationship by encouraging the bullied child to report it -- or, if the child is uncomfortable bringing it to the attention of a teacher or principal, to report the incident on the child's behalf.

It does a potential lifelong bully no good to go unchallenged and unremediated. The bullied child deserves the opportunity to speak up for him or herself, and to have his or her concerns respected. The simple act of being heard is affirming.

Every report of suspected bullying may not have the expected outcome.

Children learn through these conversations that sometimes misunderstandings happen on both sides of a conflict.

When a reported bullying situation is assessed to be true, both the bullied child and the bullying child benefit -- the bullied child through successful self advocacy, the bully through learning a better way to handle relationships. Both are important life skills.

Contrary to the impression given in some earlier letters, Worthington Park does have a longstanding anti-bullying program, as well as a staff full of caring and proactive teachers. Principal Joy Tremmel is outstanding, fair and consistent.

It is heartbreaking for a parent, a teacher, a principal and a community to learn that any child has suffered in silence, until someone wrote a Letter to the Editor on his or her behalf.

Liz Lee