As you look back on your school days, I'm sure you can remember times when kids were bullied or teased. Bullying and teasing have been getting a lot of attention recently, but they're hardly brand-new problems; both have been around forever.

What used to be accepted as "kids will be kids" has changed. We know now that teasing and bullying have to be taken seriously. Teasing and bullying affect a childs feelings toward school as well as his or her ability to focus on schoolwork. Words hurt and can damage a child's self-esteem. Conejo Unified School District is committed to providing a physically and emotionally safe place for your child to learn in an environment where we respect each other.

Therefore, we have been promoting a teasing and bullying prevention program called "Stomp Out Teasing." I have presented a series of lessons to students on this issue. Each child pledged to "Stomp Out Teasing" by following these five rules:

• We will treat others with respect.
• We will help students who are being teased.
• We will include students who are being left out.
• We will report any bullying we see or know about.
• We won't tease others.

In addition, the children learned why others tease and bully; that they have a choice as to whether they act as a bully or victim; and strategies to help them deal with teasing more effectively, including ignoring the teaser, walking away, laughing it off, changing the subject, assertively telling the teaser to stop, and telling an adult about the situation.

Furthermore, the children had the opportunity to practice the five rules by becoming "Secret Agents." They were given three "missions" to treat others with respect; help those who are being teased, and include students who are being left out; and finally to spread the word to "Stomp Out Teasing." Regularly we recognized several Secret Agents of the Week who made a good effort to make their school a better place. The unit culminated in a Top Secret Agent Meeting for agents who accomplished all three missions.

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