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Congratulations to Central Middle School in Devils Lake, North Dakota. This school is taking a strong stand against bullying. Read the story of their hero’s journey.

Introduction

Joseph Campbell, the author of “The Hero with a Thousand Faces,” teaches the process of taking a hero’s journey. Many books, movies, and other projects have been based on this journey. I based a large part of my conflict resolution curriculum called the 3 C’s: Conflict Resolution, Character Education, and Communication Skills on the hero’s journey approach.

As I discover schools, organizations, and people taking a stand against bullying, we will learn more about their particular hero’s journey.

     The 5 W’s of the Ordinary World

Who: Central Middle School
Where: Devils Lake, North Dakota
When:  The week of October 5-9, 2009
What: Students issued Anti-Bullying Contracts that both parent and child must sign. The school also has other anti-bullying programs in place.
Why: In honor of Bully Prevention Week

     Call to Adventure

On any hero’s journey, a Call to Adventure or a Call to Action is issued. Naturally, the hero has two choices. He or she or they can accept their Call to Adventure and embark on their hero’s journey. Or they can attempt to refuse the Call to Adventure. Sometimes, whether they want to or not, a hero is forced into going on this journey anyway.

Students attending Central Middle School in Devils Lake, North Dakota, were issued a Call to Adventure or a Call to Action. As we learn from Devils Lake Journal Lifestyles Editor Sue Kraft, in honor of Bully Prevention Week, students came home with an Anti-Bullying Contract that both parent and child had to sign. In Ms. Kraft’s article titled, “Middle school campaign focusing on bullying,” she does not indicate whether there are consequences for students and/or parents who refuse to sign this contract. For students who do accept this call to adventure, there is a worthy-sounding incentive. This reward might be the type of reward that other schools might want to consider implementing.

Ms. Kraft quotes the school social worker, Michelle Manley. Michelle Manley states, “As a little extra incentive, students who return a completed contract by Friday will receive a coupon for 10 extra credit points that can be used toward any of their classes.” Getting extra credit points to apply to any class of the student’s choice might be just the motivator needed for grade-conscious students.

     Cross First Threshold

The school social worker, Michelle Manley, acknowledges that bullying can be quite prevalent at their school. As a former middle school teacher, this is not unique to their school. Most or all middle schools have their population of school bullies.

To help CMS students cross the first threshold of dealing with bullies, Ms. Manley states, “Respect and kindness are encouraged through the school.” She also mentions that the “district has a strict anti-bullying policy.”

Devils Lake Journal Lifestyles Editor Sue Kraft states that “posters promoting respect and kindness are located throughout Central Middle School.” The poster that hangs near the front office states, “If you think someone could use a friend, be one.” (Read her article included in the resource section below to view this poster.)

     Approach to the Inmost Cave

As the students of Vivian Elementary School approach the Inmost Cave, they are armed with a useful resource. Under the Other Useful Links section of their school website (see resources below), they include a link for iSAFE – the Leader in e-Safety Education. Since Cyber-bullying and text-gossiping can be a real problem for teens today, this resource is a great one to check out.

For more information about text-gossiping, check out the Charter Schools Examiner, Karin Piper’s article on Teens, texting and swine flu.” See the resource section for the link to this thought-provoking article.

     Supreme Ordeal

Being bullied is a Supreme Ordeal for any child. As the school social worker, Michelle Manley, states, “Bullies can be male or female and the bullying can be physical, mental or emotional. Cyber-bullying has become prevalent among teens and is another topic parents should discuss with their children.”

What makes cyber-bullying such a Supreme Ordeal is the fact that “it’s not face to face.” Mr. Manley continues, “You’re more apt to write things over the computer when you don’t have to look someone in the eye.”

That goes along with the Supreme Ordeal of being bullied or attacked by someone wearing a mask. Some criminals have robbed banks wearing masks. Of course, there is a still a chance of picking up forensic evidence of DNA clues when the bully or criminal appears in person. How do you fight back or defend yourself when the bullying takes place on line by someone anonymous? Unless someone skilled can trace the electronic fingerprints and trails of this cyber-bully, it is extra traumatic for the victim.

     The Road Back

The part of the Hero’s Journey known as “The Road Back” might make you feel that the danger is over and there is no longer a need to be vigilant or concerned. According to Joseph Campbell, there are still dangers to be faced. This is not a time to relax your guard.

Students at CMS are paving the way for this part of the journey with the “Kindness Chain.” Ms. Manley describes that students are writing acts of kindness on each link. She gives the following examples:

* “Stick up for people who get bullied.”
* “Being there for a friend when they need to talk.”
* “Not spreading rumors.”

The school plans to post this chain in the hallways of Central Middle School at the end of this week.

     Resurrection & Return with the Elixir

It is too soon to know how the hero’s journey of Central Middle School will end. The students are being armed with useful knowledge. This is Ms. Manley’s second year at the school and the first year that she has been actively promoting Bully Prevention Week. Hopefully, all her efforts combined with the vigilance of the staff and the cooperation of the students will provide the necessary elixir to turn the tide from prevalent bullying to rare occurrences.

What is the Resurrection of their particular Hero’s Journey? It is the resurrection of hope that all their hard work and vigilance will pay off currently and in the future that there will be several fewer bullies in their part of the country.

Resources:

Middle school campaign focusing on bullying by Devils Lake Journal Lifestyles Editor Sue Kraft. Posted on October 6, 2009

Central Middle School Website

iSAFE – The Leader in e-Safety Education

Teens, texting and swine flu by Charter Schools Examiner Karin Piper

The Hero with a Thousand Faces (first published in 1949) by Joseph Campbell