Virtual School Encourages Students to become Kindness Superheroes

While bullying is a year-round problem for millions of students across the country, during October experts and advocates shine a national spotlight on the issue for National Bullying Prevention and Awareness Month.

To observe the month, traditional bricks-and-mortar public schools may offer peer mentoring programs or special days encouraging students to sit with different classmates at lunch so they can get each other better. At Oregon Connections Academy’s (ORCA) online public school, students and parents are becoming “Kindness Superheroes” by signing an Anti-Bullying Superhero Kindness Pledge, participating in an anti-bullying webcast and taking other actions.

In Oregon, 30% of 8th grade students and 20% of 11th grade students reported being bullied in the past month according to state health officials. A recent national report found one-third of all students in grades 5-12 experienced bullying.

Connections Academy is encouraging all families to become Kindness Superheroes by joining an interactive online session October 18th at 6 pm Pacific Time called “Making Connections: Parents and Bullying Prevention.” Reporters and editors are welcome to observe the event as well. To register for the online bullying prevention presentation go to: www.OregonConnectionsAcademy.com/Events

Participants will receive concrete tips and resources to help children respond to bullying experiences. They will hear expert advice and hear how other families have overcome bullying. They will learn how to spot signs when a child is being bullied, respond if a child is considered a bully, and help children build a toolkit to respond to bullying.

There is more information about the webcast and lots of practical resources for concerned parents about preventing and overcoming bullying on the Connections Academy Bullying Prevention webpage: https://www.connectionsacademy.com/bullying-prevention.

"Throughout elementary school, I was heavily bullied and teased,” said 14-year old Christian White, a sophomore at Oregon Connections Academy from Salem. “I was about fed up with it when I came across Oregon Connection Academy. This was a safe haven to me. I was able to choose my friends and I didn’t have to fear physically getting picked on. Connections Academy’s online school environment allows students to feel comfortable to express their feelings without critique by others.”

This is a familiar story at Oregon Connections Academy. In the school’s most recent parent survey, around 40% said having a safe learning environment was one of the top reasons they enrolled their children in Oregon Connections Academy.

“Kindness can be effective approach to prevent bullying,” said Oregon Connections Academy Elementary School Counselor Nicole McGowan from Bend. “Research shows being kind to others has many benefits including better relationships, and a more positive school climate.”

Oregon Connections Academy is encouraging students to make kindness their superpower by signing the “Superhero Kindness Pledge”. Families can look for the pledge on the Oregon Connections Academy Facebook page and by clicking here. Students who sign the pledge can share with family members, complete acts of kindness, defend against bullying and take other actions.

There are many helpful resources for parents seeking information about warning signs, prevention strategies, and assistance for their student to overcome bullying. StopBullying.gov from the U.S. Department of Education is a good place to start.

Oregon Connections Academy is the state's leading tuition-free online public school serving students in grades K-12 across Oregon. To find out more about the school go to www.OregonConnectionsAcademy.com or call (800) 382-6010.

Information provided by Laura Dillon, Oregon Connections Academy Outreach Manager.
(503) 779-3150 ldillon@orca.connectionsacademy.org