WELCOME

In this issue:
- Bullying & Kelso's Choices
​- Internet Safety

Is It Bullying?

As students interact with others, develop relationships, and learn to get along, it is inevitable that there will be some type of conflict. In fact, we all have conflict at some point, no matter our age. It is important to understand what is and is not considered bullying, as well as what to do about bullying.
 
At our school, we teach students to solve small problems using Kelso’s Choices. Small problems are problems that students can try to solve on their own, where no one is in danger or getting hurt. In fact, we encourage students to try 2 of Kelso’s Choices before going to an adult. If the problem is not resolved using Kelso’s Choices or if someone is in danger or getting hurt, that is considered a BIG problem. And for BIG problems, students should tell an adult right away.
In addition, students learn what is and is not considered bullying. For example, in 2nd grade we discuss the 4 types of conflict: disagreement, rude moment, mean moment, and bullying. Disagreements are when people have different ideas about something, rude moments are hurting someone’s body or feelings on accident, and mean moments are hurting someone’s body or feelings on purpose and happens one time or once in a while. For something to be considered bullying, the hurting is done on purpose, happens more than once, and the person doing the hurting has more power.  We also discuss how mean moments can turn into bullying if using Kelso’s Choices does not work. 
We care about each of our students and want to make sure they feel safe and welcomed at Blackman Elementary. If your child or children is experiencing issues, you can talk with them to determine what type of conflict it may be: disagreement, rude moment, mean moment, or bullying. Then you can discuss how to handle the conflict, either using Kelso’s Choices or telling an adult. You can also reach out to your child’s teacher or school counselor for help! We also use videos such as You Can Be an Upstander from the Ned Show to help students practice how to stand up to bullying and encourage students to tell the closest adult when bullying occurs so it can be dealt with as soon as possible. For more bullying videos you can view with your child or children, please visit: https://www.counselorchelsey.com/counselorchelseyblog/bullyingpreventionvideos
For more information about district policy regarding bullying, please refer to the RCS Student Handbook and Code of Behavior and Discipline. You can also find information about bullying in your child’s agenda. This year, Rutherford County Schools has also started to use “STOPit, an online and app-based system, to empower students, parents, teachers and others to anonymously report anything of concern to school officials- from cyber-bullying to threats of violence or self-harm.” For more information about STOPit, please visit this page: https://www.rcschools.net/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=526076&type=d&pREC_ID=1713118

Internet Safety

As children begin to use technology more and more each day, we encourage families to set some guidelines when it comes to technology and social media use. Technology can provide conveniences and education for its users. But it can also create some dangers that adults should be aware of and help protect our children from. As technology continuously advances and updates, we must be proactive and stay up to date in how we protect our children from media that is not-age appropriate.
It’s important to remember that children’s brains are not fully developed, specifically the pre-frontal cortex, which is responsible for critical thinking, judgement, problem-solving, and impulse control. When children view media that contains violence, sexual content, or harmful stereotypes, their own ideas, feelings, and behaviors are impacted. Without some guidance from a trusted adult, repeated exposure to these kinds of media may lead to an increase in aggression and decrease in empathy. Technology can also be another avenue for bullying, which is known as cyberbullying.
For more information about internet safety and cyberbullying, please check out the following resources:

Upcoming Events

10/4: End of 1st nine weeks
10/7-10/11: Fall Break
10/17: Report Cards
10/24: Parent/Teacher Conferences
11/5: Progress Reports
11/7: Early Dismissal
11/27-11/29: Thanksgiving Break

Megan Klopp

K-2 School Counselor

Website: Mrs. Klopp's Page
Email: kloppm@rcschools.net
​Phone: 615-904-3795, Ext. 28772

Courtney Evans

3-5 School Counselor

Website: Ms. Evans' Page
Email: EvansCo@rcschools.net 
​Phone: 615-904-3795, Ext. 28707