Editor:

Today ends Bullying Prevention Week reminding us that "The End of Bullying Begins with You". Special thanks to supporting community members: Fred Meyer (orange wrist bands), Dairy Queen (gift certificates), Wayne Taylor Insurance Agency (bookmarks), and Curry Healthy Communities, Brookings City Council, Brookings Police Department, Les Schwab, U.S. Bank, Kerr's Ace Hardware, Curry Coastal Pilot, KURY Radio and TheCitizensWhoCare.org.

In spite of the significant impact bullying has on a target, it's often viewed as acceptable behavior. Misperceptions adults and administrators have about bullying can lead to minimizing the behavior. Learn more about responses like “boys will be boys” or “it’s only teasing” at http://bit.ly/Pd2gxR and http://bit.ly/Orfvya and the steps to take when your child is being bullied http://bit.ly/PtG7gP Then, check out the steps to take in reporting bullying to the school. http://bit.ly/PtFYd9

Might your child BE the bully? Often parents have no idea their child is the bully. Knowing the signs—and acting to change the situation—is vitally important to make the future safer for your child and all children http://bit.ly/Orfydk

If you believe all children should feel safe, secure and accepted, regardless of their differences, wear ORANGE every day this month to show there are adults in Brookings-Harbor who want to see bullying end at school, home and in our community. Find out more at http://bit.ly/OGaQTF

Don't forget, on October 18th at 6:30pm in the Azalea Middle School Gym, there will be a powerful presentation called Rachel's Challenge about the things we can do everyday to make our world a better place. Join us, won't you?

Gordon Clay
TheCitizensWhoCare.org
Brookings