A couple days ago
an article from the Sarnia Observer was sent to me. Since then I received a couple more stories
from the same community. Rightfully so,
parents and students demonstrated at the education centre office and city
hall. As the story goes, in the past two
years the community has lost 10 children/youth to suicide as a result of
unaddressed bullying. I read these
articles and feel the frustration this community is feeling; so I submitted my
thoughts. http://www.theobserver.ca/2012/05/23/we-need-nurtured-children-not-more-bullying-laws. In
Ontario we already have a lot of legislation in place. What we are missing is effective and efficient
enforcement of these laws, policies, etc and any means of accountability when these
are not enforced. While we sit back, protest
and wait for new laws (bill
13 & 14 for example) our
children are killing themselves. When we
will realize, if we want change; we must be that change. You can’t legislate for someone to protect
another. Either they get it and they do
it or they don’t. We do not have to buy
into all the rhetoric that says ‘the system’ is better than the
individual. I am not saying for a single
moment that we not advocate for our children, but we must also teach our
children to advocate for themselves.
Generally speaking a child that feels worthy is less likely to bully or
be bullied. No school or law can inspire
self worth that starts with the people who genuinely care about another. Parents don’t be bullied into thinking you’re
not good enough. 99% of what children
want and need...your time, love, encouragement and acceptance. If your child isn’t important to you, they
will ask, “Who am I important too; who cares about me?” And soon they won’t care about them self or
anyone or anything...they’ll feel as though they have nothing to lose. Celebrate life with your child everyday they
are with you......
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Tuesday 22 May 2012
Hunger Games vs BULLY
May has been a very interesting month, so far, for ASOAB. Several new opportunities are being explored. Check back regularly for updates. Remember if you have any questions or are looking for assistance in handling a bullying related issue, do not hestitate to contact Carleana at carleana@asoab.org How many of you got a chance to see the movie BULLY? How many took in the box office 'hit' "The Hunger Games"? Were your children part of the Ontario education group that were taken out of school on a 'field trip' to see "The Hunger Games" but not "BULLY"? You may (or may not) be surprise to learn what the education system's response was to allowing one movie over the other.....
Wednesday 16 May 2012
Artistically Speaking Out Against Bullying (ASOAB) is a holistic and innovated program designed to address bullying on many levels!
Our uniquely inspired programs help participants rediscover their self confidence and value. When people feel good about them self, they are less likely to engage in behaviours that are harmful in nature. These behaviours include, but are not limited to bullying and being bullied. While some programs within ASOAB lend them self to shorter periods of duration, the ultimate goal is to create an environment where participants and their families feel safe to speak freely, and without judgement. It takes time to establish a relationship based on mutual trust, compassion and growth. For this reason, ASOAB programs are designed to run a year (Sept/June). During that year, the goal is for each participant to not only rediscover a talent they have but also feel inspired and confident in their overall abilities. At the end of the program, participants will be given the opportunity to exhibit their work. Events such as art showings and performances will not only help ASOAB raise awareness for positive change but it will also raise funds to keep ASOAB sustainable. More importantly, it provides the participants with a chance to show case their pieces/talent. This becomes an exciting celebration for everyone, including our community.
ASOAB does offer a few short term programs as well. These programs are designed to introduce participants to ASOAB and the different disciplines available. Shorter programs are offered in a variety of ways, such as: half, three quarter or full hour sessions once a week for six to eight weeks; depending on the discipline. These sessions are for those interested in opportunities based on a more relaxed and social environment. Shorter sessions can also be added to any Bullying Presentation. In each of these cases, while self appreciation and rediscovering of self value remains the priority, they do not tend to create the same ‘safe’ environment that allows for deeper self rediscovery; as such they do not conclude with a celebration or showing.
ASOAB also offers workshops and presentations to groups and organizations. Bullying is not just about peer bullying between children and/or youth. The truth is it happens everywhere, within all age groups. Our presentations are designed to explain what bullying is vs. conflict, why it happens and what we can do about it. We will look at current and pending legislation, policies and procedures. You’re encouraged to learn what your rights and responsibilities are as well as those of your loved ones such as your children. We’ll explore how important relationships are in the bullying web and discover what roadblocks are real and which are not, when trying to address bullying. These presentations are both informative and interactive. While Bullying is very serious, the presentations are designed to be hopeful and helpful rather than empty and blame based. When you leave an ASOAB presentation, it is our goal that you’ll feel inspired to create a positive change in your environment however big or small that is.
For more information about participating in a program or organizing a presentation/workshop, please contact Carleana at carleana@asoab.org
Our uniquely inspired programs help participants rediscover their self confidence and value. When people feel good about them self, they are less likely to engage in behaviours that are harmful in nature. These behaviours include, but are not limited to bullying and being bullied. While some programs within ASOAB lend them self to shorter periods of duration, the ultimate goal is to create an environment where participants and their families feel safe to speak freely, and without judgement. It takes time to establish a relationship based on mutual trust, compassion and growth. For this reason, ASOAB programs are designed to run a year (Sept/June). During that year, the goal is for each participant to not only rediscover a talent they have but also feel inspired and confident in their overall abilities. At the end of the program, participants will be given the opportunity to exhibit their work. Events such as art showings and performances will not only help ASOAB raise awareness for positive change but it will also raise funds to keep ASOAB sustainable. More importantly, it provides the participants with a chance to show case their pieces/talent. This becomes an exciting celebration for everyone, including our community.
ASOAB does offer a few short term programs as well. These programs are designed to introduce participants to ASOAB and the different disciplines available. Shorter programs are offered in a variety of ways, such as: half, three quarter or full hour sessions once a week for six to eight weeks; depending on the discipline. These sessions are for those interested in opportunities based on a more relaxed and social environment. Shorter sessions can also be added to any Bullying Presentation. In each of these cases, while self appreciation and rediscovering of self value remains the priority, they do not tend to create the same ‘safe’ environment that allows for deeper self rediscovery; as such they do not conclude with a celebration or showing.
ASOAB also offers workshops and presentations to groups and organizations. Bullying is not just about peer bullying between children and/or youth. The truth is it happens everywhere, within all age groups. Our presentations are designed to explain what bullying is vs. conflict, why it happens and what we can do about it. We will look at current and pending legislation, policies and procedures. You’re encouraged to learn what your rights and responsibilities are as well as those of your loved ones such as your children. We’ll explore how important relationships are in the bullying web and discover what roadblocks are real and which are not, when trying to address bullying. These presentations are both informative and interactive. While Bullying is very serious, the presentations are designed to be hopeful and helpful rather than empty and blame based. When you leave an ASOAB presentation, it is our goal that you’ll feel inspired to create a positive change in your environment however big or small that is.
For more information about participating in a program or organizing a presentation/workshop, please contact Carleana at carleana@asoab.org
Friday 11 May 2012
Happy Mother's Day to all the mom's out there!!!!!
Ok....so I went to see the movie "Bully". Sadly both times I was there; the theatre was quite empty.
I would like to follow up with the children and their families who were in the documentary to see if things have improved for their children and how? If not, what steps, if any have been taken? I'm also curious to learn what each of these communities and their education, police, health care, etc have done to improve the safety of ALL their children.
It’s strange huh? I wonder how many of our local educators went to see this movie. After all "The Hunger Games", was a field trip for many of our Ontario elementary and secondary schools. I guess there is more value in exposing children/youth to a movie that depicts killing each other to win their right to survive...really looking at Bullying. Oh sorry the school permission form for this trip says “Learning Expectations for the trip: students will be viewing the film adaption of the novel ‘The Hunger Games’.” Not that either of my children who ‘had’ to attend this field trip had the “The Hunger Games” as a class novel study.
I wonder how they discussed the 'film adaptation of the novel' against the book if many of the children never read it. I'm guessing there wasn't much 'discussing' going on in most of those classrooms either - at least of any academic value. Oh well, our Ontario academic education ratings are so high, our children certainly can afford to have their teachers ‘kill’ 3 hours of their classroom learning time sitting in a movie theatre several times a year/semester.
Now, had they gone to see “Bully”, I’m imagine there would have been lots of opportunity for meaningful discussion. Even if the discussion wasn't academic, it certainly would be more in tune with what is happening in their class, their school their day-to-day lives then "The Hunger Games" is. Both the adults and students might have been able to see/learn what BULLYING is and the role everyone plays in either enabling or disabling it.
Responsible use of technology in schools provides real life learning opportunities. However, I've always had a problem with my children watching movies in class; especially when the movie choice of the teacher offers NO education value!
Your thoughts.....
Ok....so I went to see the movie "Bully". Sadly both times I was there; the theatre was quite empty.
I would like to follow up with the children and their families who were in the documentary to see if things have improved for their children and how? If not, what steps, if any have been taken? I'm also curious to learn what each of these communities and their education, police, health care, etc have done to improve the safety of ALL their children.
It’s strange huh? I wonder how many of our local educators went to see this movie. After all "The Hunger Games", was a field trip for many of our Ontario elementary and secondary schools. I guess there is more value in exposing children/youth to a movie that depicts killing each other to win their right to survive...really looking at Bullying. Oh sorry the school permission form for this trip says “Learning Expectations for the trip: students will be viewing the film adaption of the novel ‘The Hunger Games’.” Not that either of my children who ‘had’ to attend this field trip had the “The Hunger Games” as a class novel study.
I wonder how they discussed the 'film adaptation of the novel' against the book if many of the children never read it. I'm guessing there wasn't much 'discussing' going on in most of those classrooms either - at least of any academic value. Oh well, our Ontario academic education ratings are so high, our children certainly can afford to have their teachers ‘kill’ 3 hours of their classroom learning time sitting in a movie theatre several times a year/semester.
Now, had they gone to see “Bully”, I’m imagine there would have been lots of opportunity for meaningful discussion. Even if the discussion wasn't academic, it certainly would be more in tune with what is happening in their class, their school their day-to-day lives then "The Hunger Games" is. Both the adults and students might have been able to see/learn what BULLYING is and the role everyone plays in either enabling or disabling it.
Responsible use of technology in schools provides real life learning opportunities. However, I've always had a problem with my children watching movies in class; especially when the movie choice of the teacher offers NO education value!
Your thoughts.....
Friday 4 May 2012
Thursday 3 May 2012
Politicians are speaking out positively about Artistically Speaking Out Against Bullying
MPP Jeff Yurek Twittered:
Congrats to Carleana De Kelver and her successful Artistically Speaking Out Against Bullying. Thank you for the program, keep it
MP Ed Holder shares in his Holder's Happenings:
If you are looking for a positive way to help your child deal with the impacts of bullying, considering Artistically Speaking Out Against Bullying for you and your child.
Please visit us at www.asoab.org
MPP Jeff Yurek Twittered:
Congrats to Carleana De Kelver and her successful Artistically Speaking Out Against Bullying. Thank you for the program, keep it
MP Ed Holder shares in his Holder's Happenings:
·
Was honoured to
accept an invitation from Carleana DeKelver, Founder/Executive Director
of Artistically Speaking Out Against Bullying to attend a student a
graduation at the Children’s Aid Society. The program inspires
confidence in these young people to feel empowered in addressing bullying.
Please visit their website at: www.asoab.org
If you are looking for a positive way to help your child deal with the impacts of bullying, considering Artistically Speaking Out Against Bullying for you and your child.
Please visit us at www.asoab.org
Tuesday 1 May 2012
April 28 Artistically Speaking Out Against Bullying's pilot project ends and what a celebration. The participants invited their own special guests many of who were able to join. A special thank you to each of our guests who took the time to join us. It was so nice to see a few of our political representatives as well as directors from several local child/youth organizations. Guests were welcome but our youth and admistrative directors; then directed to the upper galary where the participants welcomed them with by dancing. Within a few moments of arriving, even our guests we dancing with the participants. Finally we gathered in the 'Zentangle' room where each of the 15 participants receive a certificate of pariticipation and a bullying mascot (thank you Jordan of Canabears). One of the participants displayed courage and shared what attending Artistically Speaking Out Against Bullying meant to her. She shared while she knows she can't stop the bullying, she now believes she is not stupid or ugly. She now feels stronger so she can walk away from the bullying and even report it. She found her self worth, value. Artistically Speaking Out Against Bullying, will take some time now to review the how the pilot project went then set some goals as to how to move forward. These families, the participants and their children, as well as many others need us to help them discover their worth. If you'd like to learn more about Artistically Speaking Out Agaist Bullying please visit: www.asoab.org
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