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lilyvon schtupp · 06-06-2007

Olivias Letters

by Andy Carvin, 3:03PM
News coverage about a middle school student victimized by online and offline bullying has prompted a grassroots solidarity campaign. Shes received over 1,400 letters of support so far, and its serving as a teachable moment that no school should ignore.
Olivia Gardner was just a sixth grader when the bullying began two years ago. Previously diagnosed with epilepsy, Olivia was tormented by her peers because of the disease. In school, theyd call her retard. Online, they created an Olivia Haters page on MySpace and would use it to make fun of her. The school district eventually got involved, bringing in the families of the kids who were involved in the bullying, as well as holding a series of student assemblies on the problem. But it was too little, too late for Olivia, who soon transferred to another school.
The tormenting didnt end there; Olivia would soon attend two other schools, unable to get away from the bullying. According to Olivias mother Kathleen, the two of them were approached by a student at one of the schools, who asked for their help regarding an allegedly abusive parent. After authorities got involved, the girl changed her story, and suddenly, Olivia was accused of trying to ruin her family. Her mother says that the bullying escalated, including phone calls, email and even an anti-Olivia bracelet campaign. Now 14 years old, Olivia is being homeschooled by Kathleen.
Olivias sad, yet all-too-common story might have ended there if it hadnt been for Emily and Sarah Buder, a pair of teenaged sisters who heard about Olivias plight. They began organizing a letter-writing campaign among their friends in Marin County, CA, encouraging them to show their support for Olivia with words of hope or bullying stories of their own. As teachers became aware of the campaign, they started talking openly about bullying during class time. Eventually, the letters attracted the attention of Patti Agastston of the National Bullying Prevention Association, whos helped them make Olivias Letters a national campaign.
Olivias Letters is a perfect example of the power of the bystanders to make a difference when children are bullied, Agatston told the Marin Independent Journal.
And it appears to be catching on. The Buder sisters have been contacted by other students around the country asking how to start their own campaigns. Theyve drawn the attention of media outlets around the country. And theyve overwhelmed Olivia and her mother with the wave support thats been generated for her.
I think its amazing that everything is going together like this, Olivia said. Sometimes I just follow the advice that people have for me and it brings my mood up.
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Olivia has received over 1,400 letters of support. Next week, she and her mom will be interviewed on the Today Show with the Buder sisters.
Here is a really good teachable moment story, says online safety expert Nancy Willard, who wrote about it on the WWWEDU discussion group. One of the best ways to prevent cyberbullying is to empower the bystanders. Teens really do have the ability to make a difference. You can use this story in your class for a discussion about how your students can respond proactively to address this concern. Please make time for this. It is important.
Nancy is absolutely right. The news coverage around Olivias letters has created yet another opportunity for teachers to discuss bullying with their students and get them involved in a constructive way. The challenge, of course, is scaling this enormous goodwill so that it benefits the countless other kids who have also been bullied. -andy
Readers who wish to send letters of support to Olivia should direct their correspondences to Janet Buder. She and her two daughters will then pass along the letters to Olivia and her mother. You can send your letter via postal mail to Letters, c/o Janet Buder, 775 East Blithedale Ave. #106, Mill Valley, CA 94941 or e-mail them to janetbuder@aol.com.
Filed under : People, Safety

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06-06-2007	#1
lilyvon schtupp i ride the short bus because i'm Listens: I don't listen Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: counciltucky Posts: 1,768 Throcks: 2,990.00 Thanks: 74 Thanked 2,213 Times in 415 Posts	olivia's letters--bullying Olivias Letters by Andy Carvin, 3:03PM News coverage about a middle school student victimized by online and offline bullying has prompted a grassroots solidarity campaign. Shes received over 1,400 letters of support so far, and its serving as a teachable moment that no school should ignore. Olivia Gardner was just a sixth grader when the bullying began two years ago. Previously diagnosed with epilepsy, Olivia was tormented by her peers because of the disease. In school, theyd call her retard. Online, they created an Olivia Haters page on MySpace and would use it to make fun of her. The school district eventually got involved, bringing in the families of the kids who were involved in the bullying, as well as holding a series of student assemblies on the problem. But it was too little, too late for Olivia, who soon transferred to another school. The tormenting didnt end there; Olivia would soon attend two other schools, unable to get away from the bullying. According to Olivias mother Kathleen, the two of them were approached by a student at one of the schools, who asked for their help regarding an allegedly abusive parent. After authorities got involved, the girl changed her story, and suddenly, Olivia was accused of trying to ruin her family. Her mother says that the bullying escalated, including phone calls, email and even an anti-Olivia bracelet campaign. Now 14 years old, Olivia is being homeschooled by Kathleen. Olivias sad, yet all-too-common story might have ended there if it hadnt been for Emily and Sarah Buder, a pair of teenaged sisters who heard about Olivias plight. They began organizing a letter-writing campaign among their friends in Marin County, CA, encouraging them to show their support for Olivia with words of hope or bullying stories of their own. As teachers became aware of the campaign, they started talking openly about bullying during class time. Eventually, the letters attracted the attention of Patti Agastston of the National Bullying Prevention Association, whos helped them make Olivias Letters a national campaign. Olivias Letters is a perfect example of the power of the bystanders to make a difference when children are bullied, Agatston told the Marin Independent Journal. And it appears to be catching on. The Buder sisters have been contacted by other students around the country asking how to start their own campaigns. Theyve drawn the attention of media outlets around the country. And theyve overwhelmed Olivia and her mother with the wave support thats been generated for her. I think its amazing that everything is going together like this, Olivia said. Sometimes I just follow the advice that people have for me and it brings my mood up. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Olivia has received over 1,400 letters of support. Next week, she and her mom will be interviewed on the Today Show with the Buder sisters. Here is a really good teachable moment story, says online safety expert Nancy Willard, who wrote about it on the WWWEDU discussion group. One of the best ways to prevent cyberbullying is to empower the bystanders. Teens really do have the ability to make a difference. You can use this story in your class for a discussion about how your students can respond proactively to address this concern. Please make time for this. It is important. Nancy is absolutely right. The news coverage around Olivias letters has created yet another opportunity for teachers to discuss bullying with their students and get them involved in a constructive way. The challenge, of course, is scaling this enormous goodwill so that it benefits the countless other kids who have also been bullied. -andy Readers who wish to send letters of support to Olivia should direct their correspondences to Janet Buder. She and her two daughters will then pass along the letters to Olivia and her mother. You can send your letter via postal mail to Letters, c/o Janet Buder, 775 East Blithedale Ave. #106, Mill Valley, CA 94941 or e-mail them to janetbuder@aol.com. Filed under : People, Safety __________________ "We will NOT allow you to blaspheme The Monkees on this show!"- Todd