Our community has been shocked by the loss of life we have endured over the last year and a half. I've debated saying anything, but I feel compelled.
A lot of people have been posting on Facebook how "the school district needs to do something" and how "the school should put a stop to this bullying"
Here's my first issue: We don't know bullying is happening unless someone tells us. It is law now that if someone makes an accusation of bullying, we must open an investigation and have it completed within a certain amount of time. Click here to read the law.
If a student does not report the bullying, we don't know we have to do anything.
Which brings me to my next point: so much of the bullying (and everything for that matter) is now done on social media: messages that only last for 10 seconds, encrypted messages, private messages, many times their privacy settings don't allow anyone to see their posts.
This makes it incredibly hard for the school or parents to know what's going on.
When I was in high school, my feelings/questions/concerns went into my Journal: if my mom wanted to know who I had a crush on, who my best friends were or what I was worried about she just had to read it. Now-a-days everything is done secretly, privately. It has been my experience that if a kid is being made fun of, they are typically nervous to tell someone because they are embarrassed.
Which brings me to my next point: so much of the bullying (and everything for that matter) is now done on social media: messages that only last for 10 seconds, encrypted messages, private messages, many times their privacy settings don't allow anyone to see their posts.
This makes it incredibly hard for the school or parents to know what's going on.
When I was in high school, my feelings/questions/concerns went into my Journal: if my mom wanted to know who I had a crush on, who my best friends were or what I was worried about she just had to read it. Now-a-days everything is done secretly, privately. It has been my experience that if a kid is being made fun of, they are typically nervous to tell someone because they are embarrassed.
We never truly know what someone is going through: two people can go through the same experience and perceive it completely differently!
The loss we have endured has saddened me and most recently made me question what I could have done. I never want to be that parent, or that friend who had an opportunity and missed it.
Hindsight is always 20/20. It's hard not to blame oneself.
Hindsight is always 20/20. It's hard not to blame oneself.
I do not believe this is a "bullying" issue. I believe this is a "mental health" issue.
Mental Health would encompass both the person being bullied AND the bully-er.
I think it needs to be a joint effort between schools, parents and the community.
Families need to sit together and talk about things: hopes, dreams, fears, worries.
Churches need to pray for our children and for their futures. Pray for our schools.
Pray for people who are contemplating taking their own lives.
Mental Health would encompass both the person being bullied AND the bully-er.
I think it needs to be a joint effort between schools, parents and the community.
Families need to sit together and talk about things: hopes, dreams, fears, worries.
Churches need to pray for our children and for their futures. Pray for our schools.
Pray for people who are contemplating taking their own lives.
And if you are one of those people, know that you have someone you can talk to and trust.
And know that on our school website (as part of our bullying protocol) there is a "Tip Line" section parents, students, staff can report a bullying issue, report an issue about drugs/violence/weapons, and/or can report praise.
And know that on our school website (as part of our bullying protocol) there is a "Tip Line" section parents, students, staff can report a bullying issue, report an issue about drugs/violence/weapons, and/or can report praise.
-----------------------------Okay, enough of that---------------------------------
Despite all of these big life events, I have managed to stay pretty on track with my Healthy U journey. We talked a little bit at our last meeting (which was playing kickball) about how you have to have real experiences while on this journey. I can't just eat my diet so strictly all year and lose 100 lbs and then January 10, 2018 go back to the "real world." There are going to be events: Holidays, Birthday parties, dates, funerals, carry-ins and so much more that you don't want to totally deprive yourself of!
I said that I try really hard to keep that perspective in my mind. I like to think 90% on, 10% off (or 80% on 20% off depending). During the week I am able to be spot on, hitting my macros and calorie count each day. I know on Tuesday evenings I will eat "off plan" and then the weekends I tend to eat "off plan" as well. But if I am able to stay on more than off, I'm doing good!
I said that I try really hard to keep that perspective in my mind. I like to think 90% on, 10% off (or 80% on 20% off depending). During the week I am able to be spot on, hitting my macros and calorie count each day. I know on Tuesday evenings I will eat "off plan" and then the weekends I tend to eat "off plan" as well. But if I am able to stay on more than off, I'm doing good!
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| Just our first group picture to use as comparison. |
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| The Healthy U crew! We had so much fun playing kickball! |
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| This dress is down TWO sizes from what I was wearing before! I bought a new dress for my teacher of the year banquet, which is a size smaller than this one: I know I will be able to fit into it by May 24th :) |
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| I have set a new BIG goal. My driver's license has to be renewed on my birthday this year. The weight on my license right now says 175# ... which is a lie. But by October I want to be what my license says! It's 191 days until my birthday, that will be 37 lbs lost from now. That's 0.19 pounds per day. |
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| Don't wanna be like Honey Boo Boo this summer! |
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