National Bullying Prevention Month
Submitted by Elementary Counselors
October is National Bullying Prevention Month. Bullying and harassment is against the policy of the State of Iowa, as well as of the West Des Moines Community School District. All schools throughout the WDMCS promote procedures and practices to reduce and eliminate bullying and harassment.
Some events happening across the district for National Bullying Prevention Month:
- On Mon., Oct. 7, students and staff will be wearing blue in support of National Bullying Prevention Month.
- Parents and guardians are invited to join members of our community for renowned author and bullying prevention speaker, Rosalind Wiseman, on Sunday, October 13 at the Valley Community Center (4444 Fuller Road, WDM). Doors will open at 6 p.m. and the presentation will begin at 7 p.m., with a book signing beginning at 8:30 p.m. Wiseman’s book Queen Bees and Wannabes was the impetus for the movie Mean Girls.
Parents, guardians, school staff and other caring adults in your child’s life all have an important role to play in preventing bullying. Ways you can help your child include:
- Talk about what bullying is and how to stand up to it safely.
- Reinforce that any kind of bullying behavior (physical, verbal, emotional and/or cyber bullying) is unacceptable. Make sure your child knows how to get help and who they can go to as a trusted adult for help.
- Keep the lines of communication open. Check in with your kids often. Listen to them. Know their friends, ask about school, and understand their concerns.
- Encourage kids to do what they love. Special activities, interests, and hobbies can boost confidence, help kids make friends, and protect them from bullying behavior.
- Model how to treat others with kindness and respect.
We also encourage you to check out the following bullying prevention websites for many wonderful tips and bullying prevention resources to use with your child.