Bullying

There have been a lot of stories in the news lately about bullying, its consequences, and what can be done to prevent bullying. Ever since starting at Sweetwater I have noticed their strong stance against bullying. Time is spent during Team Time (half an hour spent every day with the students' homeroom teachers every day before their last class) talking about bullying, signs are up around the school declaring it a "bullying free zone." Sweetwater is working hard to combat bullying.

Unfortunately, many of the students still participate in some sort of bullying. They pick on each other a lot and many of the students' favorite insult is calling another student gay.

On Tuesday one of the girls had her head down for the later part of class, and we realized that she was crying once the bell rang and students started leaving. I went to check on her while Mr. Dorray kept the next class waiting in the hallway. When I asked her what was wrong and she told me that no one liked her. Apparently, another girl had announced in front of the entire class that everyone hated her. She was very upset and there was a puddle of tears on the table.

I felt really bad for her and tired to comfort her. I don't have a lot of experience with this sort of stuff, so I did my best. I took her down to the counselor's office so that she would have someone to talk to who knew what they were doing. During the last few days I have kept an eye on this student and she seems to be doing better. She talks with others in the hallway on the way to class and during lunch, so she does have friends.

I never experienced bullying in school, but it is something that many of these students must deal with.