HOISINGTON — Hoisington Middle School and Lincoln Elementary School have recently focused on anti-bullying, according to the councilor at the school Leonard Kaiser.
Kaiser has worked with the students on how words and computer bullying can take place. They particularly wanted to focus on cyber bullying because it has become so rampant, he said.
The middle school recently held a scavenger hunt where they practiced turning bullying scenarios into a positive outcome. There were different scenarios located throughout the building. The students searched for the scenarios and verified that it was bullying. The scenarios included all types of bullying, and then the student were rewarded with a package of candy.
"Every month we’re doing a character education topic," said Kaiser. This month they are talking about respect. Parents also received a packet of information about bullying.
"We want to educate parents about what the law says," he said.
In addition, the students watched a video of the cartoon "Fat Albert." The students then wrote a story on what it would be like to be Fat Albert.
"We have a big push with repetition about scenarios," said Kaiser. With repetition, they’ll be better at solving the problems.
According to Kaiser, the Kansas law says bullying is:
• Intentional acts that can be written, verbal, gestures or electronic conveying a physical act or threat. Acts such as tripping shoving or hazing to gain power is bullying.
• Severe, persistent or pervasive.
• Creates an intimidating, threatening or abusive educational environment. This includes plagiarism, fabrication, deception or sabotage and disrupts the orderly learning environment.
• Results in actual physical or mental harm. The use of e-mail, instant messaging, text messages, blogs, phones, games and web sites is included in bullying.
• Results in reasonable fear of physical or mental harm. The systematic diminishment of a targeted students sense of self with the goal of them or sacrificing their standing which also includes shunning, ignoring, and gossiping.
• Results in damage to property or fear of damage.
