Editorial

Bullying Program/PBIS: Yes or No?
by: Sydney K. and Julie H.


As many of you know, we have a Bullying Program/PBIS here at Brunswick Middle School. The basic idea of the program is to decrease the bullying percentage in our school. Once every week, we have two or more teachers talk to the students about where bullying can happen, how it can be stopped, and how to deal with it if you see it or are being bullied. Although most teachers, I assume, may think this weekly Bullying information is very helpful to students, on the contrary, some students may not be paying attention, or take any of this information into consideration. How do we know the students are actually paying attention? Some teachers look around for eyes being on the screen, but even if the eyes are on the screen it doesn’t mean they are actually absorbing the information.

The information is felt to be valuable by some, true. But when the kids aren’t watching it, what’s the point in showing it? Some kids think, “Yeah, its common sense. I already know this, so why should I be paying attention?” One eighth grader has said she even sleeps during it. That doesn’t sound like she’s doing much learning. “I already know this stuff,” she says, “I’ve heard it for the past three years! There’s no point in watching or listening if I already know this.”

Some of the statements above say that the Bullying Program/PBIS viewings here are pointless and not necessary. But there are also very valid reasons to why it should continue being shown. For one, the sixth graders who are coming up from elementary school may not have been exposed much to the bullying that may go on in middle schools. They need to know what to do if they are getting bullied or if they see others being bullied. Another reason to show it is for the older kids who may be bullies. They need to realize that what they are doing is wrong and that people are becoming more aware of what’s going on (becoming more aware of what can happen is also another good reason to continue showing it). A teacher involved with sharing the information with students says, “It’s important for students to know what to do if you are being bullied.”

The reasons above indicate why or why not the Bullying/PBIS program at BMS should continue. Perhaps it’s time to make a change with the program. Seventh and Eighth grades could have a substitution for the bullying program instead of relearning what they already know. They could list three facts about bullying (who, what, when, where, and why bullying occurs), then go on to other Advisory tasks. There are many ideas on what else the students can do during the original viewing time, and all should be taken into account. Everyone has their own opinion about this program and they should be heard. It’s you’re choice what you want to think. Over and out 