Community
collaboration is important to create positive change in the lives of children
and families. Through the guidance of Jewel Flornoy (War On Poverty) and
B.O.L.D Parent Organizer, Ms. Marcia Ellison PTA President of S.P. Livingston,
the leadership of Principals and administration of both schools, activities are
centered on creating learning opportunities that involve meeting the needs of
parents not just in the school house, but in the communities. Building a strong
PTA that supports and encourages parental participation is important for
schools academic and community strength. The Best of B.O.L.D is a growing model
for other schools across the nation.
The STOP BULLYING NOW – STAND UP – SPEAK OUT event provided the B.O.L.D Spirit Team a chance to fire up over 100 students attending from Pre K to Fifth Grade. The program was Emceed by Ms. Roberta Goode, presentations were provided by Ms. Marcia Ellison, Ms. Latrece Humphrys and the students of B.O.L.D at S.P Livingston.
Bullying
is a ongoing issue in schools nationwide, on buses and in communities,
there should be continued efforts to prevent Bullying and provide services to
educate, empower and encourage youth from Pre-K to fifth grade and educating
parents that Bullying should be reported so actions can be taken to stop
Bullying.
Several
tragic events in Florida and across this nation have shown that young lives are
being taken away because of Bullying and Cyberbullying. Instead of just
watching the statistics grow schools and school districts need to have
professional development for students and parents. Bullying and Cyberbullying
is a reality for many children in schools across this nation. It will take more
than laws; it will take more than speeches, it will take the collective efforts
like War On Poverty, B.O.L.D, PTA organizations and individuals like William
Jackson an educator, blogger, and community activist to make a difference. The
opportunities of Cyberbullying can happen where children and teens have
unmonitored access to Social Media that allows the behaviors of Cyberbullying
to happen on Social Media platforms.
No
parent ever wants to consider their child as a Bully, but the reality is
children, kids, teens and young adults are Bullying and Cyberbullying with
dangerous results. Parents need to monitor their children’s actions
in school, online, on buses and in classrooms. Parents must be proactive and
communicate with their children high expectations of good behaviors; parents
should observe behaviors, mannerisms, changes in eating habits, mood swings and
importantly communicate with teachers and administrators. Signs that
parents need to observe and question are in changing behaviors. The Best of
B.O.L.D is just one organization that is involved in schools, there needs to be
more and additional support in the community, from educators, administrators,
guidance counselors and importantly parents.
B.O.L.D
has conducted several Bullying trainings for parents provided by William
Jackson; he has a passion for preventing Bullying, Cyberbullying, harassment,
and other forms where children feel threatened and fearful. STOP Bullying Now
efforts should grow with the help of attending organizations like Jacksonville
Public Education Fund, Boys and Girls Clubs, War On Poverty, Habitat for
Humanity and New Town Success Zone, organizations working to raise the learning
levels of students, provide parents more opportunities to be involved.
B.O.L.D
has worked with parents and students to continue to send a message through the
building of a mural made from tiles, each tile was designed to send a positive
message that will resonate throughout the school as it hangs honorably at S. P.
Livingston.
