Working to Prevent Bullying, Wellness for Mom

It's been an exciting and action packed weekend here in Westfield and now we've got a busy week ahead. I am taking some time to talk about an issue which has become one of the most talked about by parents in town and looking ahead to some upcoming events, including one that mom's should love.

TRYING TO PREVENT BULLYING

Today's column starts off with a very serious topic- bullying in today's schools. The Rutgers incident, hitting so close to home has made all of us parents think, "Are we doing enough educating our kids about being accepting, kind and generous with other children- are the schools doing enough? Every parent needs to be aware of the signs of bullying- whether your child is the one being bullied or your child is the bully.

I read an amazing article in the NY Times last weekend titled "The Playground Gets Even Tougher" discussing bullying in elementary school-
We all know the popular book "Queen Bees and Wannabees" based on the movie "Mean Girls" that goes into details the problems girls face in middle and high school.  Now is there is a new book out, titled "Little Girls Can Be Mean" that deals with elementary aged children. Bullying occurs in children of all ages.   I was watching TV Friday night and happened to catch an episode of "20/20 "on bullying - All I can say about it was "wow"- those poor children- whether they have committed suicide, been beaten or just come home crying everyday- this is a real problem that our society faces- and it's only exaggerated by all of the technology- Facebook, cell phones, texting, Twitter, etc. - We all saw what happened at Rutgers and could feel the humiliation that the boy who killed himself felt.  

This is a not a new subject that schools have been dealing with but a continous one. As a Westfield parent of three children, it is my responsibility to make sure my children are safe and are treating others with respect.

The PTC special education committee has made bullying prevention their centerpiece for the year. They have a great program coming up next week on bullying prevention that should be able to help here in Westfield. The workshop is scheduled for Oct. 27 at 7:30 p.m. in the Edison Intermediate School gym on Rahway Avenue. Stuart Green, the director of the New Jersey Coalition for Bullying Awareness and Prevention will be speaking, along with Kim Schumacher, a guidance counselor at Roosevelt. Schools Superintendent Margaret Dolan and BOE member Alice Hunnicutt will be providing opening remarks. Helene Bergman and Lisa Kops-Wendel are co-chairing the special ed committee this year.

A TOUCH OF WELLNESS

While we're talking about wellness to prevent bullying prevention, let's talk a bit about wellness help for moms around Westfield. Westfield Mom's Town is sponsoring a wellness expo for moms in town next Tuesday, Oct. 26 from 7 to 9 p.m. over at L'Affaire on Route 22 in Mountainside (but close enough to the town line).

The event will have mini-spa treatments, workshops, beauty consultations and other things to make you feel great. There will also be breast cancer promotions in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

For more info go over to www.westfieldmomstown.com.

GREAT JOB!

Congratulations to everyone who worked hard on the weekend's exciting events. From the parents who coordinated the Franklin School Pumpkin Fair and the Holy Trinity Kitchen Tour to the Westfield Neighborhood Council street fair and the Junior League Touch a Truck, thank you. The events went off well and everyone who's talked to me – or John – has said they enjoyed themselves. Good job!