Join us this week!!! Kentucky Safe Schools Week, Oct 18-24th
The third week in October 18-24th is Kentucky Safe Schools Week, at this time we ask that you join us in our campaign against Bullying and Cyberbullying.  Our theme this year is “Follow the Golden Rule, Be Safe Online and at School”, coinciding with last year’s passing of House Bill 91 or “The Golden Rule Act”, a prohibition against bullying, harassment and other forms of intimidation-- including cyber-bullying via the Internet that is based on the Golden Rule. 
 
Following the Golden Rule involves empathy and self-control. It applies to both the real world and the “virtual” world of computers and text messaging. Cyber-bullying is a fast-growing trend, which is an emotional and physical threat to the safety and well being of our students. Through the use of various types of cyber communication “virtual” bullies intimidate and harass the vulnerable, with devastating results. 

               Take the online Pledge Against Bullying
                           -Print your own certificate
                          -View the state statistics and see how your county stacks up! 

Take the New! Online Pledge Against Cyberbullying

WOW!! Fayette over 250 pledges, Christian, Bourbon, Keaton, Jessamine, Calloway, Lee, McLean, McCreary, Fulton, Franklin and Muhlenberg Counties are past 50 pledges!

Judge Larry Elkins and Mayor Danny Hudspeth or Murray, Calloway County sign the   Kentucky Safe Schools Week Proclamation more... (Photo by Kyser Lough)

• Media Blitz- the Safe School Week Proclamation, Radio PSAs, Sample Press Release

• Administrators-Principal Resource Page, Handouts, Emergency Management Planning, lockdown practice powrpt, School-wide bullying survey and more...

• Teachers-Teacher Resource pages for K-8, 6-12; Handouts, Lesson plans, Bullying Curriculum, Cyberbullying interactive worksheets and more...

• Students-Take the Cyber Pledge 4 Safety, Pledges Against Bullying and Cyberbullying, Links to interactive web pages on bullying and cyberbullying, other safety related links...

• Community-Resources for parents, first responders and other safety conscious people on leading a safety campaign to "How to Teach Your Child about Internet Safety" and more.

• School Safety Checklists-School safety checklists, emergency tool kit checklist, planning for a pandemic checklist, safety planning checklists, vulnerability checklist and more...

Cyber-Bullying: What is it? (When one student targets another on-line)

• Mean, vulgar or threatening email

• Forwarding a private communication to others

• Humiliating text sent over a cell phone

• Web site set up to mock others

• Posting embarrassing photos or video (more…)

• Don’t give out private information (Passwords, PIN)

• Be careful about posting personal information such as name, address and cell numbers

• Don’t share IM buddy lists

• Delete messages from people you don’t know (more…)

• Tell a trusted adult

• Don’t open or read messages from cyber bullies

• Don’t react to the bully

• If it is at school, tell a trusted adult at school

• If you are threatened with harm, inform the police (more…)

As with any other school safety initiative, success will be determined by leadership, dedication and consistency. Set-up or appoint a safe school committee in your school, your school-based decision making council may already have a team. Let that safety committee, comprised of teachers, students, parents, and community members (a first responder would be an excellent choice) lead the charge for Safe Schools Week. Preplanning will ensure a successfully coordinated campaign.