Are You The Bigger Person, Or The Bully?

Image via WikipediaSo are you the bigger person, or are you the bully? 


So many have been touched by a bully story in some way, and this is one that reminds us, that we too can help someone just by being kind. 


♦♦Thank you to another great IMAlive volunteer for allowing me to share the story.♦♦


One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of his books. 

I thought to myself, 'Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd.' 

I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on. 

As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him.

He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes. My heart went out to him.

So, I jogged over to him as he crawled around looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye. As I handed him his glasses, I said, 'Those guys are jerks.' They really should get lives."

He looked at me and said, 'Hey thanks!' 

There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude.

I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived. As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before.

He said he had gone to private school before now. I would have never hung out with a private school kid before.

We talked all the way home, and I carried some of his books. He turned out to be a pretty cool kid.I asked him if he wanted to play a little football with my friends? 
He said yes.

We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him, and my friends thought the same of him. Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again. I stopped him and said, 'Boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday!' He just laughed and handed me half the books.

Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends.

When we were seniors we began to think about college. Kyle decided on Georgetown and I was going to Duke. I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a problem. He was going to be a doctor and I was going for business on a football scholarship. 

Kyle was valedictorian of our class. I teased him all the time about being a nerd. He had to prepare a speech for graduation. I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak Graduation day, I saw Kyle.

He looked great. He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school. He filled out and actually looked good in glasses.

He had more dates than I had and all the girls loved him. Boy, sometimes I was jealous!
Today was one of those days. I could see that he was nervous about his speech. 
So, I smacked him on the back and said, 'Hey, big guy, you'll be great!' 
He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled. 

'Thanks,' he said. 

As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began 'Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach....but mostly your friends...... I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them. I am going to tell you a story.' 

I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the first day we met. He had planned to kill himself over the weekend.He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn't have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home. He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile. 'Thankfully, I was saved.

My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable.' I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment. I saw his Mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile. Not until that moment did I realize it's depth.

Never underestimate the power of your actions.
With one small gesture you can change a person's life. 
For better or for worse..... 

Grades, Projects, and Tardies

Image by jesseducation via Flickr

The local  middle school has made our lives as parents a little bit simpler by using a website called SnapGrades. This site is updated by each teacher daily or weekly(when they have time) with each students progress. Homework, projects, tests, tardies and missed days. Including PE, you can see how well they run the mile each week. If a student is falling behind the teacher can contact you via this website and stay on top of your child, and if they need to talk to the student about something they can leave a note on the website for both parent and student to see.

I am able to log on at anytime and see my child's current grade in each class. Any missing assignments, and their current GPA. I also receive a weekly email with current information.

Middle school is a difficult transition, and with help of a simple website like this, we can all keep our children on the right track. If your school doesn't have this type of simple communication maybe it's time to suggest it. I only wish they had it in my daughters high school. *Sigh*

Here is the website. If you watch the demo it will give you a nice introduction.

http://snapgrades.net/

Easy A

Comedy night here we come.If you're a fan of John Hughes movies, then Easy A should be your next movie. This movie is geared around a high school nobody who chooses to lose her virginity to get a reputation. Although, the movie is based around sex it wasn't the base of the movie. I had an under 13 year old with me, and I wasn't covering her eyes for those type of scenes.

The movie lived up to its hype as another great teen comedy. The theatre was full by the time the movie started so don't wait until the last minute to get to your seats.

Rate: A (easily)

Buy: Theatre if you can, rent or buy when it's out.

PG-13 I took under 13(this is high school ages, so expect language).

California Schools

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

It is a shame to see how in debt our schools have become. Our school district has been cutting teaching positions for the last few years. The current meetings have entailed cutting more jobs, teachers taking pay cuts, and closing schools.  That was until yesterday when cutting sports from the high schools was brought up.

What in the world is our Government doing to keep our children off the streets, and receive a proper education? To cut the salary of a teacher who already uses their own money in their own classrooms is ridiculous. Not to mention closing schools hmm... Does that mean more students will be shoved into a small classroom for a teacher to control, and attempt to teach multi-level students?

Sports is next on the list of cuts due to the lack of money. The parents now run boosters and fundraise for each sport. The parents pay for uniforms, insurance, and concessions. It is very sad to see this happen to our own children.

Times have sure changed since I was a kid. My parents never paid for anything while I was in high school sports. Even when I was a coach at a high school, I made sure my team would fundraise.

I hope my children are able to enjoy life, and experience every possible sport and club before they must grow up, and become a working adult.

AZ