Good Sports are Winners

The following link is from the MHSAA and a contest they have for each sport.  Although we do not compete for this award or in the MHSAA, it would be good for our fans, athletes, coaches, and parents to follow these rules and guidelines.

GOOD SPORTS ARE WINNERS

Bully or Conflict?

I would like to discuss a topic that has been laying heavily on my heart for the past few months.

Even though CTK is wonderful and we are doing God's will, Satan does creep into our lives and wants to destroy.  We have had a few incidents' with what could be classified as bullying.  What I want to discuss is what this word means.  I have been involved with other principals across the nation discussing what does this word mean and is it different than having a conflict or misbehavior.

The teachers and myself will not tolerate bullying and will follow a set policy when bullying does occur.  Does that mean every conflict is bullying?  I don't think so.  Part of growing up and learning how to communicate with each other, could result, because of sin and selfishness, in conflict.

So, What is Bullying?

• When the harm or hurt is on purpose; it's not a mistake or by accident.
• When the student fears the other student.
• When the student seems more powerful, likely the two are not friends.
• When the student seems to enjoy hurting others.
• When the student repeats the behavior(s) over and over.

The key words that show there is a bullying problem is - Purpose; Fear; Power; Hurt; Repeats.

Looking into the Bible and what God says about bullying, I like 1st Peter 2:1;

"Therefore, rid yourself of all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind."

What is Cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying means bullying by use of any electronic communication device such as, but not limited to: email, text messages, blogs, cell phones, social media, and websites.

So what is the Difference between Conflict and Bullying?  Principal at St. John's Lutheran in LaGrange, Illinois shared these charts:

Normal Conflict	Bullying
Equal power between friends	Display of power, not in friendship
Occasional	Frequent
Accidental	Purposeful
Demonstrates concern	Demonstrates pleasure
Takes responsibility	Blames others
Tries to solve the problem	No effort to resolve issue
Occurs anywhere	Occurs where bully is not seen by teachers

Teasing between Friends	Taunting by a Bully
Swaps roles with ease	Based on an imbalance of power
Not intended to hurt	Intended to harm
Maintains dignity	Meant to humiliate or demean
Pokes fun in lighthearted clever ways	Comments or acts are bigoted
Innocent in motive	Sinister in motive
Only part of the friendship interaction	Continuous action toward the target
Discontinued when person teased becomes upset	Continues or increases when target becomes distressed or objects

We live in a sinful world.  Because of sin, we know conflicts will happen in the world and school.  What we do when conflicts occur makes CTK different.  Conflict can turn into bullying.  Bullying has no place in a Christian community.  If either a conflict or bullying incident happens, the classroom teacher will handle it first.  If it is not resolved at this level, the Principal will become involved.  Any and all parts of the discipline policy will be used at that point.  The goal is always to resolve the issue through law and Gospel so that a Christian environment is restored and God is glorified.