Saturday, May 30, 2009
Be A Hero And Stand Up To Bullying
Sensei Chris Feldt
Samurai Karate Studio
2000 Clemson Road
Suite # 9
Columbia, SC 29229
803-462-9425
samuraikarate@bellsouth.net
www.samuraikaratestudio.net
Sensei Feldt Presents Bully Workshop To Rice Creek Students
Yesterday, I had the honor of participating in the Rice Creek Elementary School field day by presenting a workshop on bullying. Anyone who knows me, knows that I am truly passionate about helping kids deal with this serious issue.
I presented to approximately 400 children that were from the 3rd through 5th grades. This was a good group of kids. Rice Creek has a very strong anti-bully policy and it was great being able to show the kids techniques that had nothing to do with kicking and punching, yet could help them deal with a bully.
As always, my first question was to show a count by hand, how many children had been bullied once during the year. It is only an estimate, but I would say approximately 70% of the children raised their hand. So far, my personal experience has been that the percentage of children bullied is much higher than the 25% that is currently estimated by the experts.
I then asked the children to raise their hands if they had bullied someone during the year and I would say 40%-50% raised their hands. This is a trend I see at every school I have done workshops this year.
Somehow, we as parents and teachers need to let the kids know that bullying is NOT COOL and notifying an adult IS!
During the presentation, I show examples of strong, weak and what I call my "gangster" body langauge. Then I talk about using your eyes to help avoid bullies and how to use the power of your voice to stop the bully in his or her tracks.
The last part of my discussion is focused on insuring good communication between the child getting bullied and their parents, their teachers, their guidance counselor or principal. Oh, and let's not forget our resource officers, who are amazing people and want desparetely to provide a safe learning environment for your child.
If you would like more information, or are interested in my presenting a bully workshop for your school, please feel free to call me at 803-462-9425 or you can email me at samuraikarate@bellsouth.net.
The kids did a really good job participating and answering questions. Now that school is almost over and summer is around the corner, it is my hope that these children will practice what they learned and start walking confidently and defeating the bully every time they encounter one!
Sensei Chris Feldt
Samurai Karate Studio
2000 Clemson Road
Suite # 9
Columbia, SC 29229
803-462-9425
samuraikarate@bellsouth.net
www.samuraikaratestudio.net
Thursday, May 7, 2009
The Ryan Halligan Story
This is a very moving story provided by Frontline about Ryan Halligan, a 7th grader, who committed suicide after being bullied for more than a couple of years. This is a classic example of the NEW kind of bullying today -- called cyber bullying.
It used to be that kids only had to contend with bullying while they were attending school. That is bad enough. But now, with Facebook, My Space, instant messaging, chat rooms, text messaging and emails, kids can be bombarded with ugly messages 24/7 with no where to hide and get relief. In Ryan's case, kids called him gay and constantly sent "homophobic" messages. If that wasn't bad enough, Ryan believed he had met on line, one of the girls from his school and liked him. When he finally had the courage to ask her out in person, she humiliated him in front of his friends, calling him a loser? The online relationship was just a "set up" to belittle him.
Personally, I love Facebook. It is such a great tool to connect with people in your family as well as friends from year's past. But this new technology, does have risks. In the case of Ryan Halligan, he couldn't take the constant abuse and killed himself.
I know there may be a lot of parents reading this, saying, I don't know how to use a computer or any of the new technology that the kids are using. PLEASE do not use this as an EXCUSE. If your child's well being and safety are a concern; learn about the computer and the internet. It is not as hard as you think.
Remember, the most important tool you have is your voice. Ask questions and take an active interest in your child. Take the time to know who his or her friends are. Check on them routinely when they are on the computer.
If they complain about privacy, tell them you are going to get a software program that logs every click of the mouse or keystroke. This software is available and easy to install.
As parents, we have to help our children fight this nasty problem, that continues to grow everyday. Don't wait until it is too late!
Get involved.
Now, before you accuse me of being a censor or home police, just remember that you are responsible for their well being, and sometimes, as parents we have to do things that make us uncomfortable. But is what being a parent is all about, yes? Let them complain about lack of privacy! In my experience with my boys, if they don't have anything to hide, the privacy issue is a mute point!
If you still feel uncomfortable because you don't know much about computers, there are plenty of software programs that can be easily installed that can track every click of the mouse, every stroke of a key. If you worry about their privacy, tell them up front you are installing software that will track everything they do.
Or, you could handle it the good old fashion way -- sit down and talk to your child and make sure you have an open line of communication and don't be afraid to discuss a sensitive topic like this.
We must do all we can to stop this issue before more children feel they have no alternative but to commit suicide.
Sensei Chris Feldt
Samurai Karate Studio
2000 Clemson Road
Suite # 9
Columbia, SC 29229
803-462-9425
samuraikarate@bellsouth.net
www.samuraikaratestudio.net
It used to be that kids only had to contend with bullying while they were attending school. That is bad enough. But now, with Facebook, My Space, instant messaging, chat rooms, text messaging and emails, kids can be bombarded with ugly messages 24/7 with no where to hide and get relief. In Ryan's case, kids called him gay and constantly sent "homophobic" messages. If that wasn't bad enough, Ryan believed he had met on line, one of the girls from his school and liked him. When he finally had the courage to ask her out in person, she humiliated him in front of his friends, calling him a loser? The online relationship was just a "set up" to belittle him.
Personally, I love Facebook. It is such a great tool to connect with people in your family as well as friends from year's past. But this new technology, does have risks. In the case of Ryan Halligan, he couldn't take the constant abuse and killed himself.
I know there may be a lot of parents reading this, saying, I don't know how to use a computer or any of the new technology that the kids are using. PLEASE do not use this as an EXCUSE. If your child's well being and safety are a concern; learn about the computer and the internet. It is not as hard as you think.
Remember, the most important tool you have is your voice. Ask questions and take an active interest in your child. Take the time to know who his or her friends are. Check on them routinely when they are on the computer.
If they complain about privacy, tell them you are going to get a software program that logs every click of the mouse or keystroke. This software is available and easy to install.
As parents, we have to help our children fight this nasty problem, that continues to grow everyday. Don't wait until it is too late!
Get involved.
Now, before you accuse me of being a censor or home police, just remember that you are responsible for their well being, and sometimes, as parents we have to do things that make us uncomfortable. But is what being a parent is all about, yes? Let them complain about lack of privacy! In my experience with my boys, if they don't have anything to hide, the privacy issue is a mute point!
If you still feel uncomfortable because you don't know much about computers, there are plenty of software programs that can be easily installed that can track every click of the mouse, every stroke of a key. If you worry about their privacy, tell them up front you are installing software that will track everything they do.
Or, you could handle it the good old fashion way -- sit down and talk to your child and make sure you have an open line of communication and don't be afraid to discuss a sensitive topic like this.
We must do all we can to stop this issue before more children feel they have no alternative but to commit suicide.
Sensei Chris Feldt
Samurai Karate Studio
2000 Clemson Road
Suite # 9
Columbia, SC 29229
803-462-9425
samuraikarate@bellsouth.net
www.samuraikaratestudio.net
Monday, May 4, 2009
Sensei Feldt Participates In Radio Program on Bullying!
A couple of weeks ago, I was invited to appear on a program called On Point, hosted by Cynthia Hardy, on the Big DM, 101.3 FM. This is a local Columbia radio station that has a fairly large audience. She devoted this hour exclusively to the topic of bullying. I was asked to appear on a panel of adults who work with children everyday and have experience with this problem.
The reason for this special show was the recent incident of a young boy who committed suicide because of being bullied. The boy's name was Joseph Walker-Hoover, who was 11 years old and attended the New Leadership Charter School in Massachusetts.
The statistics on bullying are alarming.
Experts estimate that 1 in 4 children will be bullied by the time they reach high school. I believe this number grossly under estimates the number of children being bullied. Nearly every time I do a bully workshop at a local school, the children who raise their hand saying they have been bullied is closer to 60%-75% of the class.
During the talk show we discussed the growing trend of bullying, the types of bullying and some of the things you can do to help address it with your child.
If you know a child that is having a problem with bullying and you are not sure what to do, please feel free to call me at 803-462-9425 and I will be happy to talk with you.
Sensei Feldt is a member of the Ultimate Black Belt Test, a year long teaching program for martial art's school owners and master instructors that includes many physical challenges as well as community service projects. Please visit the UBBT for more information.
Sensei Chris Feldt
Samurai Karate Studio
2000 Clemson Road
Suite # 9
Columbia, SC 29229
803-462-9425
samuraikarate@bellsouth.net
www.samuraikaratestudio.net
Girls Can Be Bullies Too!
Last week I had the pleasure of presenting a bully workshop to a group of 6th grade girls that are led by Team Leader, Nancy Ankey at Dent Middle School. I worked with two groups of 19 students in each class.
First off, ladies, I would like to thank you for your attention, participation and your nice manners! You represented your school well!
Secondly, don't forget what we talked about in terms of body language, the power of your voice, communication and kindness. If we all treated each other with respect and kindness, our first line of bully self defense, bullying wouldn't be the problem it is today.
Lastly, don't forget to meet your school resource officer. These people are kind, caring and considerate and are there to help you. Instead of waiting to get called into the school resource officers office because you are in trouble, stop by and introduce yourself.
Mrs. Ankey commented, "Thank you so much for informing the 6th grade girls at the TWO Academies. The class was very interactive and the students were focused on your techniques for self defense. I can see where the knowledge of using their voice and body language can prevent them from being a victim. This information will increase their self confidence and comfort level in a bullying situation. Your class was excellent!"
This was a great group of girls and I feel confident that they learned some things that will make them think about what it means to bully someone else, as well as provide non aggressive ways to deal with a bully in school.
Sensei Chris Feldt
Samurai Karate Studio
2000 Clemson Road
Suite # 9
Columbia, SC 29229
803-462-9425
samuraikarate@bellsouth.net
www.samuraikaratestudio.net
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