R.J. Wells Middle School — Catoosa, Oklahoma Anti-bullying issue: December 2016

Wells students stand up to bullying By Fute Yang Have you ever wondered if our school had bullies? Wells teachers and students say the answer is yes, we actually do have a few. One Wells Middle Schooler stopped a bully by standing up for herself and having friends help her get through it. She told the bully to stop. Moments later, she told a teacher who called over the bully for a discussion until recess ended. Later that day, the bully said he was sorry and that it was wrong for him to bully her . He also offered to be friends and she said “yes”. Bullying is not okay and it can cause stress if you witness bullying or experience it yourself, says KidsHelpPhone.ca., an organization that gives immediate advice to kids who need it. Teasing becomes bullying when it is repetitive or when there is a harsh attempt to hurt another person. It can be verbal bullying by threats and name-calling; psychological bullying by excluding others or spreading rumors; physical bullying by hitting, pushing, or taking a person’s things; and cyber bullying by making fun of or name calling on social media, says the National Centre Against Bullying. An actual bullying incident that several students witnessed this school year involved two students verbally bullying a teacher about her physical appearance.

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Body-shaming can cause lasting effects for those victimized

By Sam Escobar

Words can hurt — especially when they’re cruel comments about a person’s physical appearance. Body image is the way individuals distinguish their body and suppose that others distinguish them as well, says dosomething.org, a global organization of young people working together to improve the world. Body image is closely associated with self esteem. Low self esteem in teenagers can be the cause of eating disorders, early sexual activity, suicidal thoughts, and substance use, dosomething.org says. It is important to talk to teenagers about body image, self esteem,

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Anti-bullying issue …

What gossip can do: page 2

Subtle racism: page 3

Tech overload: page 3

Holiday season movie survey: page 4

Fall Festival raises school activity funds: page 4

WELLS PRESS Our Vision: Wells Middle School prepares students for 21st century living

and learning by improving critical thinking and comprehension skills.

Wells Middle School students sign a banner promising to “stand up for someone” who is bullied. [photo by Madi Richards]

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R.J. Wells Middle School — Catoosa, Oklahoma Anti-bullying issue: December 2016

Wells students work to resolve bullying problems [continued #om page 1]

This visibly hurt the teacher emotionally. When the teacher confronted one of them, that student apologized to the teacher and recommended the other student do the same. Both students apologized, acknowledging that it was wrong to make fun of someone like that. Researchers estimate that 40-50 percent of children at school are involved in bullying incidents, says Rebecca Fraser-Thill, a published psychology researcher. Bullying can begin as early as preschool and intensify during transitional stages, such as starting first grade or going into middle school. Victims of bullying are often shy and tend to be physically weaker than their bullies, Fraser-Thill says. They may also have low self-esteem and poor social skills, which makes it hard for them to stand up for themselves. Bullies consider these children easy targets because they think they can pick on the weaklings. Bullying can cause stress, lead to physical injury, social problems, emotional problems, and even death, she says. Children and adults who are bullied are at increased risk for mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, headaches, and problems adjusting to school. Bullying also can cause long-term damage to self-esteem, depression and anxiety. These issues may continue into adulthood.

“Mean girls” fun damages others By Akara Farmer Whether creating stories to spread about another person or simply sharing a personal story about someone else with someone you know, it’s still bullying. Gossip and rumors are considered relation aggression, emotional bullying, or the “mean girl” phenomenon. Some may think of relation aggression as fun and harmless. However, 4,400 young people aged of 10 to 24 die each year by suicide caused by bullying, reports the Centers for Disease Control. Many more are sent to emergency departments for self-inflicted injuries for the same reason. Also new research finds that on 37 school shootings, including Columbine and Sandy Hook, bullying triggered three quarters of the shooters, reports the CDC and Secret Service. When you start a rumor or engage in gossip, you are still bullying, said bullying prevention advocate and author Sherri Gordon. Even though you are not saying hurtful things to that person’s face, the words you say get back to that person and wound them on the inside, Gordon said. It can ruin friendships, causing depression, anxiety, stress-related conditions, or more serious conditions such as eating disorders, self-harm, and post-traumatic stress disorder, she said.

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Body shaming can harm self-esteem

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and eating disorders, especially at a time when their bodies are still developing. In today’s society, girls and boys feel the need to meet some sort of standards, dosomething.org says. To be a certain weight or eat a certain amount. Therefore it is important to tell adolescents that everybody’s bodies are different and unique. Also to not be so worried especially since their bodies are still developing and changing. __________________________________

Wells Press December associate editor Madi Richards Staff: Haley Barbee, Aaliyah Cedeno, Sam Escobar, Akara Farmer, Alex Galaviz, Andrew Galaviz, Chyanne Knight, Karla Madrigal, Logan McGann, Jenna Lee Ortiz, Lexi Skaggs, Kennedy Weaver, Fute Yang — Send correspondence to kmcanany@catoosa.k12.ok.us.

Criticism of a person’s physical appearance can adversely affect how that person sees herself.

[photo by Lexi Ska$s]

As hard as gossip is to resist, it can hurt someone seriously. [photo by Kennedy Weaver]

R.J. Wells Middle School — Catoosa, Oklahoma Anti-bullying issue: December 2016

Technology on overload? By Alex Galaviz

Do you think kids are too attached to technology? Someone might think that at Wells Middle School students are way too attached to technology to where now they don't even have to move to do a project or get on a Web site or even turn in an assignment. Texting is so easy, compared to communication in earlier generations. Back then, people had phones attached to their wall; now it’s anywhere they go — and the screens get thinner and thinner. Some might say the millennial generation has taken technology so far to the point where even social life depends on technology. Computer technology shows up everywhere we go: in cars, smart phones, tablets, TV’s and laptops … digital noises and screens, people walking and looking at their phones — ignoring their surroundings. At school, students and teachers have their laptops, and use them every day to do their everyday assignments. “You can put up your laptops and we can do this on paper,” social studies teacher Dan Spitler and and science teacher Brad Wilson sometimes say. Others say limit the technology and start spending more time outside. But how often do you see someone outside looking at a screen?

Racism subtle, but still exists By Karla Madrigal While some consider racism an issue of the past, one need look no further than the controversy surrounding the Sept. 22 police shooting of an unarmed black man in Tulsa to see that racism is alive and well in the 21st century. Racism is a belief that one race is superior to the other, or it’s the practice of treating a person or group of people differently on the basis of their race. For example, a belief that Caucasians are superior to African Americans, or refusing to hire an Indian person for a job, could qualify as racism. Landmark legislation in the 20th century turned the tide of racism in the United States. The U.S. Supreme Court in 1954 outlawed segregated public education facilities for blacks and whites at the state level. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 ended all state and local laws requiring segregation. While Klansmen and lynch mobs largely remain in the previous century, members of racial minority groups commonly admit to experiencing subtle racism regularly. Subtle racism can show itself in the form of bad jokes. For example, joking that Asians eat cats and dogs can be heard repeatedly. It may cause laughter, but it’s offensive and racist anyway. “Skin doesn't matter; flesh does,” Guts Church Pastor Bill Scheer said in a recent sermon, “and sometimes flesh doesn't matter, but the heart does.”

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Outside in the

fresh air, but …Jocelyn Esquivel and

Mackenzie Jackson

spend part of a

beautiful day playing on

a smart phone.

R.J. Wells Middle School — Catoosa, Oklahoma Anti-bullying issue: December 2016

Fall Festival fun(d)raiser

about more than money By Aaliyah Cedeno

A jousting ring, climbing wall, carnival games, and laser tag … how can so much fun gain money for our school? Wells Middle School held a fall fundraiser at the school Nov. 10 attended by Wells families and others in the Catoosa community. Fundraiser organizers aimed to raise money for the school for field trips and extra things that the students and teachers need, said language arts teacher Melinda Ham, who led the fundraiser. The people working in the fall fundraiser were a big help in organizing it, Mrs. Ham said. They helped get stuff together, organize events, and helped clean up afterwards. “After paying back the school for the laser tag, the school successfully raised $2,100. Thanks to NJHS (National Junior Honor Society) and student council, we were able to have extra things like the jousting ring and the climbing wall,” Mrs. Ham said. This fundraiser also was different from others in the past because it combined multiple fundraisers into one, giving teachers, parents, and students a break from having to do fundraisers throughout the year, Mrs. Ham said.

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Wells students, staff name favorite holiday movies

By Haley Barbee and Kennedy Weaver

Along with the other traditions over the holiday season, the holiday movies get their annual attention, and who doesn't have a favorite holiday movie? In this month’s Wells Press survey, teachers and students voiced what their favorite holiday movies are. Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas was the favorite by far in the student survey. “The Grinch who stole Christmas was an amazing, funny movie that is great for kids,” eighth grader Katy Dillon said. “And I loved the green fingers. That made me laugh.” Christmas Vacation and White Christmas topped the staff survey. Wells Principal Della Parrish said she loves White Christmas. “My mom and I would sit at home and watch this movie every year,” she said. “I like the way people come together to help someone.”

29%

33%

38%

Christmas Vaction 38%White Christmas 33%A Christmas Story 29%

“And stay down … ” Catoosa wrestler Gus Wood stands over his opponent

moments before being declared the winner of his match. The Indians hosted Coweta Dec. 8.

Teacher survey results