By Sarah Kuper
This month, nearly 4,000 elementary, middle and high school children will walk through the doors of Homewood’s five public schools.
With the new school year comes adjustments and challenges, but according to Homewood city school officials, one challenge is the same every year.
Bullying is an age-old dilemma from which no school is exempt. But Homewood schools’ behavior and interventional specialist, Leigh Cohen Long, believes Homewood students are well equipped to prevent and handle bullying.
“We are so diverse in Homewood, kids are understanding and have respect,” she said. “Plus, we have guidance lessons woven through the curriculum from elementary school to high school.”
Long gives the example of the “Shades Cahaba Way,” a six-point mantra each elementary schooler learns at Shades Cahaba Elementary:
“Speak for yourself … and others when needed.
Listen to others … and they will listen to you.
Avoid put-downs … who needs them?
Take charge of yourself … you are responsible for you.
Show respect … everyone is important.
Have fun … life is a gift.”
Long said the undercurrent of teaching tolerance and respect continues to middle and high school through what the system calls the “Homewood Spirit.”
Vestavia Hills, Hoover and Mountain Brook city schools also have anti-bullying programs in place, plus resources for parents and students both online and through guidance counselors.
Even with a strong anti-bullying message broadcast throughout the schools, Long acknowledges that, nowadays, most bullying goes on in secret.
“Anything can happen anytime online. Cyberbullying is as concerning as traditional bullying, if not more so because it is so secretive,” she said.
Long said the stereotypical playground bully isn’t nearly as prevalent or visible as the bully terrorizing another student from behind a screen or cell phone.
She said one way Homewood schools are trying to handle cyberbullying is by empowering students.
“We try to teach kids how to stand up for themselves and not keep it a secret,” she said.
Long also said administrators and faculty stress to students the lasting impact their online actions could have.
“We want them to know to be careful with what they talk about and post online,” she said
A big part of Homewood’s approach to cyberbullying is parental outreach.
“I try to teach parents to be in your child’s business,” Long said. “Know what they are up to online and passwords.”
Homewood school counselors work individually with students involved in bullying situations, but they also suggest parents do their part.
“We encourage the parents of the child being bullied to reach out to the other set of parents,” Long said.
If handling the issue outside of school is not an option, Homewood, Mountain Brook, Vestavia Hills and Hoover schools all have formal documents parents or students may submit to report bullying or harassment complaints.
Long’s advice to parents as the new school year begins is to stay informed and pay attention to changes in their children’s behavior.
To students, Long advises approaching the new year with respect and tolerance toward others while also standing up for yourself.