School board members, superintendents, teachers and parents play a critical role in creating a climate where bullying is not tolerated. It has been proven when adults and children stand together, bullying ends. This is why the Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA) has declared October to be Bullying Prevention Month.

Childhood bullying is a significant problem nationwide. It can cause school absenteeism, mental and physical stress, poor school performance, poor self-esteem, and, in some cases, school violence.

Nearly one-third of all school-aged children are bullied each year — upwards of 13 million students.

At Lunenburg County’s two elementary schools, guidance counselors read books about bullying and about what students can do if they are bullied.  After reading these books, the books are discussed, and the guidance counselors have students tell them what they should do if they are bullied.

As part of bullying prevention, OMEGA Man visited Kenbridge Elementary School in September and will visit Victoria Elementary in October.  Omega Man is a world-class super-hero who travels all around the universe telling young people to be a dream maker and not a dream breaker.

Omega Man performs the world’s great show of power, strength, speed, inspiration and motivation. He can bend steel with his teeth, rip a phone book in half and even break a baseball bat over his leg. His program helps students concentrate on making good choices and preventing bullying.

Lunenburg County Public Schools has also established a Threat Assessment Team to handle threats of violence, and trainings have been held for members of that team.

As a part of bullying prevention, during the month of October, all schools will be informing students, parents, faculty and staff of the importance of reporting threats of violence and to whom those threats should be reported.

The school system is currently looking into the possibility of using its website to help provide anonymous reports of threats.