Julia K Cole

Prevention 1. Increase Communication Initiate discussion about your children’s social and online lives on a regular basis. Ask specific questions that generate meaningful dialogue (e.g., instead of “How was school?,” try “What is lunchtime like at your school—who do you sit with, what do you do and what do you talk about?”). Make sure that your demeanor communicates genuine interest and openness as opposed to the desire to control or invade privacy.  2. Monitor Behavior Observe your children in different settings by volunteering at school, participating in extracurricular activities and being watchful during social gatherings. If you notice that your children are overly aggressive, vulnerable to peer pressure or exhibit other behavior that troubles you, talk to them about  your concerns and redirect the behavior. Be vigilant about the warning signs associated with bullying behavior (e.g., social withdrawal, fear of attending school, avoidance of or preoccupation with tec...

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WHAS11) — A Jefferson County mother is asking the courts to force her son’s school to protect him from what she said is continuous bullying. Bekishia Cosby, whose son attends Olmsted North Middle School, claims teachers and administrative staff are negligent by not protecting her son from being bullied by fellow classmates. Cosby said she wants the courts to issue a protective order to ensure the staff will watch over her son at school. Several months ago, Cosby filed a lawsuit against her son's former school, Thomas Jefferson Middle School.  The lawsuit names Thomas Jefferson principal principal, eight other JCPS staff members and nine minors. A sworn affidavit states the boy, identified as BB, tried to commit suicide last year while at Thomas Jefferson because classmates bullied him for his perceived sexual orientation. According to the affidavit, when BB started at Olmsted the physical threats, name calling, and harassment continued. ...