HSD Strengthens Anti-Bullying Training

Bullying has been an issue in schools around the nation, and as area schools tighten up their attempts to reduce the issue, sometimes experts have to be brought in.

As was the case recently in the (HSD). Barbara Coloroso, an internationally recognized anti-bullying advocate, recently provided training to a group of HSD counselors, social workers and security officers to enhance the district’s anti-bullying efforts.

“Ms. Coloroso did an excellent job of emphasizing the importance of minimizing bullying through focusing not only on the bully, but on the bullied and the bystander,” said Mike Adam, a social worker at Hazelwood Northwest and , in a statement. “She brought a balance of educating/supporting those who bully, supporting those bullied and she provided strategies for encouraging bystanders to take action.

"We know that most students, whether the bullied, the bystander and sometimes the bully themselves, do not want bullying behavior to occur, (and) by addressing all three types of student roles, the impact on minimizing bullying will be greater.”

Coloroso is a speaker and author. She has published books on parenting, teaching, school discipline, non-violent conflict resolution and reconciliatory justice.

Some of the topics discussed during the session included keys to cyber bullying and media exposure overload.

Coloroso also discussed her three-part, school-led/community-based approach to preventing bullying. She said she advocates that anti-bullying policies must be clearly spelled out, enforced consistently and communicated far and wide.

Coloroso also discussed having clear consequences for bullies and for anyone supporting the bully, that are just as clear as anti-bullying policies.

Her final focus was the topic of schools needing to create programs that reinforce the policy as well as create a safe, caring and welcoming environment for all students.

“Ms. Coloroso has notable credentials regarding her expertise with bullying prevention,” said Adam. “However, it was her passion for trying to help make students feel safer that greatly added to her presentation and fits with the priority Hazelwood is giving this issue."