News Release Distributed 10/16/14
BATON ROUGE, La. – Members of Louisiana 4-H Clubs are recognizing the week of Oct. 26 as Bullying Prevention Week. 4-H’ers voted for bullying prevention as the theme of their yearly statewide service-learning project at 4-H University this summer.
Students can take part in various activities to promote awareness and better understanding of bullying. Among them are themed dress days at their schools, such as Jersey Day to “team up against bullying,” and an Instagram contest using the hashtags #stopbullying365 and #la4h.
Kimberly Jones, instructor in LSU AgCenter 4-H Youth and Family Development, said 4-H is developing a bullying-prevention curriculum and resources that 4-H’ers and extension agents can use. It is an important topic to learn more about, especially for the 9- to 19-year-old age group that makes up 4-H.
“Bullying has been in the forefront lately,” Jones said. “We want to educate them about what exactly it is and how to minimize or prevent it.”
The term “bullying” is used frequently, but often incorrectly. One isolated fight, for example, is not the same as repeated bullying behaviors, Jones said. 4-H’ers should learn to recognize the difference as well as what they can do to stop bullying.
The Louisiana Day of Service on Dec. 6 and Louisiana Connections Camp, which will be held from Dec. 12-14 at the Grant Walker 4-H Educational Center Camp near Pollock, will also highlight bullying prevention.
The No. 2 choice for service-learning at 4-H U was special needs awareness, Jones said. Many 4-H’ers are incorporating that theme into some of their bullying prevention activities.
Olivia McClure