Warning Signs That Your Child Is Being Bullied, Is a Bully, Is Using Drugs or Alcohol

“School Bullying is Nothing New, But Psychologists Identify New Ways to Prevent It,” American Psychological Association, Research in Action (p 236 - 237)

Warning Signs That Your Child Is Being Bullied

* Pattern of withdrawal, shame, fearfulness

* Onset of depression, anxiety, low self-esteem

* Persistent, vague, unexplained physical complaints

* Damaged or missing belongings

* Unexplained bruises or injuries

* Diminished social contacts

* Excuses to avoid school; decline in grades

* Trouble sleeping or eating

Warning Signs that Your Child Is A Bully

* Angers easily

* Demonstrates a need to dominate

* Acts our impulsively

* Lacks empathy toward others

* Defiant toward adults

* Aggressive behavior

* Has unexplained belongings

* Makes hypercritical remarks about other students

Warning Signs That Your Child Is Using Drugs or Alcohol

* Rapid loss of weight

* Paleness of the skin

* Discoloration

* Dark circles under the eyes

 * Shaky hands

* Dropping grades

* More absences from school than you know about

* Sudden mood changes

* Rise in anger at family members

Teaching by Example

But parents need to do more for their children than just talk to them.  The biggest influence on a child’s development is the behavior of the same-sex parent.  And the lessons they learn from watching how their parents behave, for good or ill, will last them a lifetime.

Remember that “stranger danger” accounts for only 10 percent of child abuse.  Ninety percent results from people who parents bring into their children’s life or who are already there…

Violence Risk Threat Assessment in school systems/schools: 6 ?s

Violence Risk Threat Assessment (VRTA): process in which school administrator, law enforcement official, mental health counselor, and teacher or school employee involved TOGETHER investigate, examine, evaluate and report the threat

1) Should NC implement a uniform, mandatory Violence Risk Threat Assessment for NC public schools?

 

2) Should NC require that each NC public school system implement a mandatory Violence Risk Threat Assessment?

 

3) What are the pros and cons of implementation and accountability of a mandatory Violence Risk Threat Assessment in our NC public school systems/schools?

 

4) Who should have access to the mandatory Violence Risk Threat Assessment for NC public schools?

 *4b) Who should have access to the information derived from the Violence Risk Threat Assessment for NC schools?

5) Who should be responsible for implementing the mandatory Violence Risk Threat Assessment in each NC public school system/school?

 

6) Check acts in our NC public schools that warrant a Violence Risk Threat Assessment?

_verbal threats of violence                     

_written threats of violence                   

_bomb threats

_trespassing                                           

_damaged property                               

_assault

_disorderly conduct                               

_affray                                                     

_larceny

_alcohol violations                                 

_drug violations                                       

_weapons on school property

_robbery                                                

_sex offenses                                          

_arson/fire

_other: please specify

*7) What is the penalty for not implementing the Violence Risk Threat Assessment and for not investigating, examining, evaluating, and reporting adequate and correct information?

* Questions added from initial survey feedback from parents, teachers/staff members, law enforcement, and community members.

Are you receptive to sharing your school system/school Violence Risk Threat Assessment?

saferschools@yahoo.com

Anti-Bullying video: Bars and Melody, Charlie Lenehan and Leondre Devries, Britian’s Got Talent

http://blog.petflow.com/their-powerful-performance-brought-an-audience-to-their-feet-you-must-hear-this-song/#6bzy2uVQuE5ZlYBe.01