Pajamas For Awareness
- Details
- Created on Wednesday, 23 October 2013 17:57
- Written by Kevin Kelleher
October is nationally known for being bully awareness month. Although awareness events are not common here in the Northeast Kingdom, one student believes it's only right to take a stand. Ally Brink, an eighth grader from the Barnet School, had the idea that on October 16th the students should wear pajamas to show that they are in support of those who have been victims of bullying, and to continue spreading awareness on the effects bullying has. With Barnet School Principal Shawn Gonyaw backing Ally, the day went as planned.
Ally knew it was bully awareness month through Facebook, but things really hit home when on October 9th Olivia Mae Scott from New Haven, Vermont, committed suicide as a result of social media bullying. Ally knew who Olivia was, and she is now even more concerned about the effects of bullying. "A lot of kids, I don't think fully realize that it's a huge issue for a lot of kids," said Alli.
Principal Gonyaw explains how the school approaches both offenders and victims of bullying, "For us its about teaching those students what they're doing wrong, and teaching other students how to stand up for themselves and for their friends."
Online or offline, many "bullies' are unaware of the actions they take. "A lot of people here that bully, don't really know that's a behavior they're exhibiting. Its just a habit that they've formed," said Gonyaw.
Principal Gonyaw also explains that teachers and staff can intervene when an issue with bullying arises, but also believes in encouraging students to work out their issues in the right ways between themselves before going to an adult. "It's powerful when they can go up to someone and say, I don't like that, or stop that, or walk away."
Ally explains why Cyber-bullying happens more frequently in her school than anything else, "It's easier for them to be able just to say it through a computer screen than to do it face-to-face." Principal Gonyaw feels Cyber-bullying is "easier to deal with" because "the evidence is right there." However, for the students, it can be a lot harder to just walk away from, explains Colleen Twomey of Umbrella, "Whereas now we're seeing a students get home and they're online, they're on Facebook, they're on their cell phone, and they see that bullying. They see the words over and over on the screen or through a phone call and it just doesn't stop and that really resonates with them." Colleen wants people to know that if they are being bullied they can go to Umbrella for confidential support.