What can I do about bullying

This Post is for all of the kids out there that are being bullied.

First and foremost No one deserves to be bullied. If it is happening to you, it is not your fault.

Try to ignore the bullying, Try not to show that you are upset or angry. Make a joke, walk off and join some other kids. For example, if a student makes fun on your clothing, laugh and say, "Yeah, I think this shirt is kind of funny-looking, too."
Bullies love to get a reaction - it's 'fun'. If you can keep calm and hide your emotions, they might get bored and leave you alone. As one teenager said, 'they can't bully you if you don't care'. The bully wants you to be afraid and to look afraid and upset. Sometimes when bullies don't get you to be afraid, they will stop.
Try to stay away from the bully. Bullies like power and control. They feel more powerful when you are alone. Avoid areas of the school where there are not many students or teachers around. Don't bring expensive things or lots of money to school. Take a different route through hallways or walk with friends or a teacher to your classes.
If you need help, don't be embarrassed about asking. Everyone needs help sometimes and asking for help to stop bullying doesn't mean that you are weak or a failure.

If you are being bullied, tell a friend, Ask him or her to help you. It will be harder for the bully to pick on you if you have a friend with you for support.
Write down the details of the incidents and your feelings. When you do decide to tell someone, a written record of the bullying makes it easier to prove what has been going on.
Tell a teacher and tell your parents.
Tell Someone! Make people listen to you and don't take no for an answer. It won't stop unless you do. It can be hard to do this so if you don't feel you can do it in person it might be easier to write a note to your parents explaining how you feel, or perhaps confide in someone outside the immediate family, like a grandparent, aunt, uncle or cousin and ask them to help you tell your parents what's going on. I know that this does not cover all aspects of bullying but I do hope that it helps some.

Safe Route to School Walking School Bus Program

At our last meeting we touched on the subject of walking and safety of our children and riding bikes in the neighborhood.
I sent off for some information on these subjects and came across the Safe Route to School Walking School Bus Program or SRTS. Oklahoma does have funding for this program and with rising gas prices this could be an answer to the school fuel problem. Here is the link if you would like to have more information on this program and please pass it on to those who would know how to use this information. http://www.okladot.state.ok.us/srts/index.php
A walking school bus is a group of children walking or riding their bikes to school with one or more adults. For many parents, safety concerns are reduced when adult supervision is provided.
CONTACT THE OKLAHOMA DEPT. OF TRANSPORTATION SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL PROGRAM 200 N.E. 21ST STREET, ROOM 2-C6 OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73105-3024 Phone 522-3570 Email: srts@odot.org
or ODOT Field Division Office Headquarters (ask for the Traffic Engineer) Division 3 Ada (580)332-1526 The Division Engineer is Paul Rachel
Shawnee Interstate Maintenance #109 Superintendent: Jamie Price #382-1222
For More Information

First day of School

Shawnee students start school on Wednesday, August 13. Enroll you Pre-kindergarten through 8Th grade students at the old Wal-Mart building at the Shawnee mall on Thursday, July 31, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Shawnee students returning for the new school year are required to have all records updated, if prior information has changed. For more information, contact the Board of Education 326 N Union, 273-0653.