“The number one reason bullies hate their victims is because the victims tell on them,” the flyer reads. “Telling makes the bully want to retaliate. Tell an adult only when a real injury or crime (theft of something valuable) has occurred. Would we keep our friends if we tattled on them?”
That’s just one pearl of wisdom administration officials at the Zeman Elementary School in Lincoln, Nebraska gave fifth-graders in a pamphlet with nine tips on how to cope with bullies.
Here’s more of their brilliant advice:
Rule #1: Refuse to get mad.
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Rule #2: Treat the person who is being mean as if they are trying to help you.
Rule #3: Do not be afraid.
Rule #4: Do not verbally defend yourself.
Rule #5: Do not attack.
Rule #6: If someone physically hurts you, just show you are hurt; do not get angry.
Rule #7: Do not tell on bullies.
Rule #8: Don’t be a sore loser.
Rule #9: Learn to laugh at yourself and not get “hooked” by put-downs.
In addition to these tips, the flyer also calls bullying victims “puppets” and “losers.”
Not surprisingly, parents are up in arms over the school’s “advice.” They began flooding the administration’s Facebook page with complaints.
“That list of 9 rules for dealing with bullies was hands down the worst advice any person could give to another,” one Facebook user wrote.
“1970 called, they want their flier back,” another person said.
This prompted Zeman Principal Donna Williams to send out an email apologizing for the flyer:
A flyer that contained inaccurate information regarding how to handle bullying situations was sent home with Zeman Elementary School fifth-graders. … Our educators at Zeman Elementary School work hard to provide accurate and appropriate lessons and education for our students in how to handle bullying situations. The flyer was sent home with good intentions, unfortunately, it contained advice that did not accurately reflect LPS best practices regarding response to bullying incidents.
A new flyer with much sounder advice has since sent home with students, restoring peace within the Lincoln, Nebraska elementary school community.
tardis
Nah. Nah! This can’t be real…
Maybe they took the quote “turn the other cheek” a little too seriously.
Cam
So in other words, if you are a bully everything you do is ok, if you are a victim, anything you do that in any way is an attempt to mitigate the bullying is wrong.
This is literally a school telling kids to follow the B.S. Ghetto “No Snitch” policy.
Alan down in Florida
And is someone being held accountable for distributing this garbage to the kids?
Harley
So what is the “sounder advice” in the new pamphlet?
tricky ricky
did they not bother to read it before they sent it home? and if they read it are they so stupid as to have not known it was wrong?
Billy Budd
Bastards. They teach kids to be cruel.
Dakotahgeo
There are also GD freaks in the educational system in the Administration! Whoda thunk it?
hotshot70
this is Nebraska’s IQ.
QuintoLover
@Cam: I have never understood the ‘no snitching’ thing. It’s bullying in itself. You wouldn’t tell a rape victim to keep quiet so why should any other ‘snitch?’
Geoff B
Bullying isn’t a new thing, this idiot school knows it. If I ever have a kid, I’m teaching them to fight very early.
pj
As an elementary school teacher, this makes me irate. Sadly, it comes down to admin to dwell out consequences for children who are bullies, and unfortunately, it doesn’t happen. They tip-toe around parents and don’t want to risk kids being out of school. I have taught 1st and 3rd and it is the role of the teacher to not only protect students from bullying, but to set the example of how to treat others. My kids know I don’t mess around with that garbage and I’ll be quick to tell a 6 year old that people who make fun of others don’t like themselves and grow up to have no friends, or friends who are losers. As far as the “snitching” issue goes, teaching in a low income urban setting, I understand the mentality my kids have towards telling on others. But this is no excuse, it’s merely victim blaming and a cop out. Shame on that school’s administration. I pray they have some rebellious, strong, supportive teachers.
Mezaien
The plague call Christianity.
theowlmike
The administration of this school needs to be fired and replaced by people who will not tolerate bullying at all. And as far as this “not to snitch and not tell” students need to stand up for what is right and be encouraged to tell and expose those bullies for the cowardly creeps they really are!
Blackceo
Wow thats harsh. I do agree that we are raising a bunch of wussies these days with all the overprotecting. Bullying is a part of social exposure. I agree that some goes too far but teach your kid how to stand up for him or herself. Bullies have to be stood up to and shown their place. I was able to navigate through the few experiences I had fine because my father taught me how to cut a person with words and to whoop their ass if necessary.
Columbusquill
I have a hard time believing any person who cares about children could have sent this home. I’m shocked and angered.
Billysees
@tardis:
“Maybe they took the quote “turn the other cheek” a little too seriously.”
They might have. But I do wonder ‘could there be any merit to that?’
Maybe the persecutor might never bother you again. It’s possible.
See — http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turning_the_other_cheek