40 Developmental Assets

The Search Institute has identified 40 building blocks for healthy development, known as Developmental Assets.  These assets help young people grow up to be healthy, caring, responsible adults.   The 40 Developmental Assets are divided into to main categories, internal and external.

External Assets are those assets that can be influenced by outside entities such as family, school, neighborhood, and religious communities.  The consist of four categories:  Support, Empowerment, Boundaries & Expectations, and Constructive use of time.

Internal Assets are the driving force within a young person.  The forur categories of internal assets are:  Commitment to learning, Positive values, Social Competencies, and Positive Identity.

To learn more about the 40 Developmental Assets, see search institute.

In 2007, the National Center for Educational Statistics reported that 32% of students said that they had been bullied at school. Here at Jefferson, we strive to have all students learn in a safe and bully-free environment.  Here is some information that I have been sharing with students through Guidance lessons this month:

Definition of bullying:  Bullying is intentionally aggressive behavior.  It is made up of repeated harmful acts that include an imbalance of power.  Bullying is the most commorn form of violence.

Forms of bullying include:

      Physical: Bullying that hurts your body or property. (kicking, pushing, hitting, fighting,destroying property, etc.)

     Emotional: Bullying that hurts your feelings. (name-calling, rumors, gossip, exclusion, etc.)

     Cyber-bullying:Bullying which takes place using technology. (text, e-mail, social networks, etc.)

Any bully situation has three "roles", the bully, target, and bystanders.  The bully is the person trying to hurt or control others.  The target is the person being bullied and the bystanders are those that are around and aware of the bullying situation.  The bystanders can provide help or support by reporting what is happening.

Some strategies for dealing with bullies that I have been working with students on include:

* Be assertive and stand up for yourself.  Look the bully in the eye and clearly tell them that you do not like what they are doing.

*Stay together in groups, there is always safety in numbers.

*Stick up for your friends.

*Ignore what a bully says.

*Look at a situation with a sense of humor.

*Agree with the bully if circumstances fit.

*Befriend the bully if possible.

*Talk over problems with your parents, teacher, counselor, or other trusted adults.

*Refuse to believe what the bully says, don't let anyone rip at your self-esteem.  Value Yourself!

*Report all bullying acts that are harmful, dangerous, or destructive.  Hate motivated acts must never be tolerated!

Students also viewed plays and participated in discussions with the R.E.S.P.E.C.T.2 group. More information about the plays and this organization can be found at www.respect2all.org.