Kittredge Elementary School

So far the articles I have presented have explained what bullying is, how to recognize bullying behavior, and what parents of the bully can do. This week's article explains what to do if you are being bullied. If your child thinks he or she is being bullied, perhaps this will be helpful. Remember, please contact the school if you think your child is a victim of bullying.

Sincerely,
Nancy Jukins

First, you need to know that you are NOT alone in being bullied. You need to know that being bullied is NOT YOUR FAULT. You also need to know that there are many positive things that you can do about bullying.

People who bully might tell you things like "You're stupid and ugly" or other bad things. They might try to hurt and control you by telling you that your hair or skin color, size, sex, race, religion and other things are bad. Don't believe bullies. These things are not bad. If fact, it is these very things that make you special and unique in our world. These mean words and actions tell us all more about the people who are saying and doing such things, than about you. Bullying is really about others who want to have power and control over you. People who bully want you to feel badly about yourself. Don't give bullies that power.

What can you do if someone is bullying you? - Being bullied can be embarrassing, scary and very hurtful, but you should know that you don't have to put up with being bullied. It is NOT a normal part of growing up. Bullying is wrong. Bullying is something some people learn; that means it is something we can change and there are things we can do to deal with bullying. Here are some things we all can do to stop bullying:

• Learn about what bullying is and then share this with others, like your parents, friends, teachers, sport coaches and others. A lot of adults believe that bullying is just a normal part of life, IT IS NOT! Tell them that people should not just accept bullying.
• Write down what happened. Who was bullying? Where did it happen? Who did what? Who saw it? Telling is not tattling. Telling we do to help make things safer and better. Tattling is what people do when they want to get someone else in trouble on purpose.
• Be brave. When you're scared of another person, it's hard to be brave. But sometimes just acting brave is enough to stop a bully. If you act as though you're not afraid, it may be enough for a people who bully to leave you alone.
• Stay calm and don't act upset or angry: bullies love to get a reaction. Practice what you'll do and say the next time it happens. If you don't act upset or react the way they want you to, they may get bored and stop.
• Ignore the people who bully. Try to ignore a bully's threats. If you can walk away, it takes a bullies power away because they want you to feel bad about yourself. Don't react. Don't let the people who bully win! If ignoring them won't work, tell the people who are bullying to stop, say "Cut it out!", "That's not funny!", "How'd you like it if someone did that to you?" Let the people who bully know that what he or she is doing is stupid and mean.
• Don't keep it to yourself: tell an adult. If you are being bullied, it's very important to tell an adult. It's really hard to stop bullying by yourself. Parents, teachers, principals, sport coaches, and Scout leaders can all help to stop bullying. (taken from www.bullying.org).

Visit our Kittredge website at http://www.kittredge.northandoverpublicschools.com/.

Please make sure your children are dressed appropriately for outdoor weather conditions. The students are outdoors before school, as well as during lunch recess if the temperature is above 20 degrees. Please have you children wear warm coats, hats, and mittens or gloves. It's also a good idea to pack an extra pair of mittens or gloves in the backpacks.

The results of the EQA Audit (Educational Quality Assurance) will be presented at 6:00pm followed by a School Committee Meeting at 7:00pm.

A big thank you to everyone who helped with the 5th Grade Movie Night. The event was a great success with over 90 5th graders in attendance. As a community service project the Kittredge 5th grade collected over $400 of various pet supplies that were donated to the Nevins Farm MSPCA. None of this could have happened if not for the parent volunteers from each of the community elementary schools.

Mother Son Jammin Fun, hosted by the Atkinson PTO, will be held March 30th and 31st, 2007, at the High School.

The Yearbook Committee is looking for a parent to attend each of the following events. On 1/27/07, The Winter Jubilee (4th and 5th graders) and on 2/10/07, the Sweetheart Dance (2nd and 3rd graders). We are looking for a group pictures and some candids of the girls with their dads and friends. All arrangements will be made to allow you access to the dance for 20 to 30 minutes. If you are interested please contact Karen Keough at Mackeough@netzero.com. Thank you.

Watch the backpack for order forms. Don't let your child be the one not to have a special message from mom and dad.

The Father/Daughter dance for 4th and 5th grade girls will be held on January 27th. The Sweetheart Dance for 2nd and 3rd grade girls will be held on February 10th. Dances will be at the Middle School. We have a limited number of tickets still available. If you are in need of a ticket, please contact Dawn Crescitelli at +1 978 688 0724 or crescitelli@comcast.net.

Snip it's Hair salon is offering a special discount for hairstyles for the dance. Up-do's will be $11.95. Mention the Thomson dance for special discount!

It's that time again to order your 2006-2007 Memory Book. Order forms came home last week via backpack. This year's book is shaping up to be the best ever!

The season runs Mid March through the first week of May, with practices on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. Games : 7th and 8th Grades on Thursday nights and 5th and 6th Grades on Friday nights. Any questions please email : NABC_Volleyball@comcast.net

The NABCLL will be conducting walk-in registrations at the Atkinson Cafeteria from 6:30PM - 8:30PM on both Wednesday, January 24th, 2007 and Thursday, February 1st, 2007. This registration is for all children between little league ages 5 and 16 (birth dates between 5/1/1990 and 4/30/2002). Please bring a proof of residency (tax bill or utility bill) and birth certificate (new players only). Registration is also available on-line (for returning players only) at: www.eteamz.active.com/NorthAndover.

A large gray steel container is in place at the DPW Drop Off area on Osgood Street. It's right near the plastic and glass depositories. A local company "Got Books" accepts all hardcover, paperback and textbooks. Also, Videos, CD's, DVD's, records, LP's, sports trading cards, computer software and games and comic books. The usable and current media will be first offered to schools and libraries. The remaining items are offered for sale for Charity Book Sales that will benefit local non-profits. This is a great alternative to holding on to these items that you will never use again. Plus, it keeps these items out of the waste stream. Please make use of the "Got Books?" drop off box.

Please send via email to kathy.eastwood@comcast.net (please put Newslink in the subject line) or call Kathy Eastwood at +1 978 794 3025 by Monday at noon.

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