Today the Tulsa Drillers, Tulsa Public Schools, The Tulsa Chamber and The Parent Child Center of Tulsa announced a new partnership to extend and enhance PCCT’s Kids On The Block program.
Tulsa Drillers mascot Hornsby will visit children in grades K-6, accompanied by The Parent Child Center of Tulsa’s “Kids on the Block” puppets. These child-sized puppets, accompanied by performer Jacqueline Gallegos and Hornsby, will present a bully awareness skit. Kids on the Block are frequent visitors to classrooms, teaching children how to protect themselves in difficult situations, including
bullying, “stranger danger” and physical abuse.
“TPS is thankful to the Tulsa Drillers and the Tulsa Chamber for helping us to shed light on bullying in our schools,” said Dr. Keith Ballard, superintendent of Tulsa Public Schools. “Our teachers and principals are always on the look-out for bullying behavior, as it takes many different forms. As vigilant as we are, however, the sad fact is that we have to equip students to be supportive of each other and to seek help before trouble escalates. Our goal is to create a safe learning environment for all students.”
Bullying is a problem of national proportions, as the spotlight has been cast recently on a number of high-profile incidents. Recent research has shown that over 20 percent of students feel unsafe at school due to direct or observed teasing, threats, bullying and other stressors.
Studies have also shown that children who have been identified as a bully by age eight are six times more likely to have a criminal conviction by age 24. Children who are bullies may continue to be bullies as adults, and are more prone to becoming child and spouse abusers.
“The Tulsa Drillers takes sportsmanship behavior very seriously, both on and off the field,” said Mike Melega, general manager of the Tulsa Drillers. “We think it’s important to educate students early about healthy responses to bullying, and how to recognize it. Hornsby will be a great advocate for students as he makes his way into elementary schools with the Kids on the Block.”
At TPS, reported instances of bullying have increased in recent years, in part due to better tracking. During the 2010-11 school year, the TPS board strengthened its policy on bullying, and the district has invested heavily in staff development for teachers and administrators to aid in their awareness of bullying behaviors.
To view the district’s harassment, intimidation and bullying policy, visit the “Parents” tab on the TPS website at www.tulsaschools.org and select “District Policies.” In the search box, enter “4902” and the full policy will be displayed.
For more information about bully prevention, visit the National Education Association website at www.NEA.org and click on “Bully Free: It Ends With Me” under the “Issues and Action” tab. The NEA’s Nationwide Study of Bullying is also available at www.NEA.org.
Please visit the TPS website at www.tulsaschools.org for additional information and updates.
Local media was on hand to cover the story. You can find coverage from:
Tulsa World
KJRH
