‘No one is eliminated from bullying’

New state law addresses harassment in schools

August 9, 2006

By MEGAN VARNER
Index-Journal senior staff writer

For Miguel, it’s the vicious name-calling about his ethnicity.
For Amy, it’s the cruel remarks about her hair and clothes.
For Brandon, it’s the after-school scuffles that leave him bruised and humiliated.
Each day in schools across America, thousands of children and teenagers are the targets of bullies, and experts say the act can lead to lengthy struggles with depression, anxiety and fear for victims.
In June, S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford signed into law a new law that will help school districts in the battle against bullying.
Local school administrators say the law, called the Safe School Climate Act, is just one more step put in place to protect students, though some parents said teachers and counselors need to be more vigilant in stopping the behavior in area schools.
Bully Police USA, an organization that acts as an advocate for bullying victims, reports on its Web site that South Carolina ranks low in reports of bullying, though the act does happen regularly in the state’s schools.
A report on the Web site defines bullying as an “aggressive behavior or infliction of intentional harm by one person” or a group of people toward another, whether verbal, psychological, emotional or physical.
The report said that three out of four students nationwide report being bullied while in school, with the most severe incidents occurring in grades 7-9, though physical attacks are less frequent than those of a verbal or psychological nature.
According to the South Carolina Legislature’s Web site, the Safe School Climate Act, signed by Sanford on June 12, is aimed at preventing harassment, intimidation or bullying in schools. It instructs local school districts to adopt a policy prohibiting the behavior and requires that the state board of education develop model policies to incorporate into training for teachers, counselors and school administration.
Robert McClinton, Greenwood School District 50’s assistant superintendent for administration, said the district had in place tough anti-bullying policies before the law was signed into action, though he added that it is definitely a step in the right direction by South Carolina lawmakers.
“The legislature has seen this need,” he said. “They’ve seen it is a problem and they needed to address it.”
McClinton said bullying can happen to anyone, regardless of age, gender or ethnicity.
“I can tell you that, in all my years in (education), no one is eliminated from bullying,” McClinton said. “We don’t tolerate it. We address the situation immediately because we want all children to feel comfortable and safe at school.”McClinton said District 50’s zero-tolerance policy on bullying is listed in the rights and responsibilities handbooks given to each student, and he said guidance counselors, teachers and school staff are trained to listen to students and respond appropriately to reports of bullying in Greenwood schools.
“Any time a student feels harassed, there is always a teacher, counselor or school administrator they can report that bully to, and we encourage that,” McClinton said.
Abbeville County School District Assistant Superintendent Kathy Stevenson said her district enforces a similar zero-tolerance policy.
“From time to time we have bullying, but fortunately we have very little of those incidents,” Stevenson said. “When we do, we get in there quickly to troubleshoot and find the root of the problem.”
She said the incidents most frequently occur after school has been in session for a few weeks, as students become accustomed to their classmates’ personalities and behaviors.
“At first, everybody is putting on an image,” she said, “but then things become the reality.”
Stevenson said bullies are sometimes compelled to taunt other students because of past treatment, and she said it is important for schools to put a stop to the behavior quickly when it arises.
“If it isn’t corrected, then it can become full-blown,” she said, adding that a bully’s violence can become more extreme with time.
Stevenson said the Abbeville school district has a student support team -- comprised of teachers, family members, students, counselors and others -- to help after incidents of bullying, and both districts have penalties for bullying that can, depending on the severity of the incident, lead to a student’s suspension or expulsion from school.
“We do not tolerate repeated offenses,” Stevenson said. “We provide support and assistance (for the bully), but we do have limits.”
But at least one parent in the Abbeville district said she wants teachers and administrators to be more proactive in taking a stand against bullies.
Darlene Cox said her 15-year-old son, Michael, has been the victim of bullying throughout his school career, and she said some teachers and administrators have refused to address the problem, which leaves her feeling like she is “fighting an endless battle because nobody listens.”
Darlene, who gave permission to use her son’s name in this article, said Michael’s problems started years ago when a group of children “jumped him” on a playground and beat him in his back. She said she went to the principal, though no disciplinary action was taken on the students. “Nothing was done to those kids,” she said. “My son was going back to school and nothing had happened to those kids. They still taunted and teased him.”
Stevenson said school officials and district administrators are always willing to talk with parents who feel their child is experiencing bullying, and she said the district takes issues such as Darlene’s seriously.
“The first thing they (the parents) should do is communicate with the school and state that they feel like they weren’t heard,” she said. “They can come over and talk with the teachers about their concerns and a solution. A lot of times we have to listen to the parents, and that kind of communication is the key. We have to take time to do that.”
Darlene said administrators have recommended school changes for Michael over the years — which she has done — though the bullying has never completely gone away. She said Michael has had changes in his personality since the bullying began and now has complications with panic attacks, low self-esteem and depression.
“It’s hard as a parent having to watch these things,” she said, adding that homeschooling would be a last resort. “I feel like, when it reaches the point where he feels like homeschool is his only option, we’d do it. But as long as he wants to try to handle it at school, (I’ll leave him in public schools).
“If we run from this and don’t stand and fight,” Darlene says they’re doing a disservice to both Michael and a number of other kids: “I feel like more teachers need to take a stand against things like this.”
Those feelings, Darlene said, led her to join the South Carolina chapter of Bully Police USA, and she works as the organization’s Abbeville district director.
Darlene said the organization was excited about the new law, though she said officials are waiting to see how effective it will be in curbing the behavior.
“Some form of bullying will always be around. The biggest thing is how it is handled, and that’s where this law helps out. ... It’s one step further in the right direction,” Darlene said. “More people are listening, more people are paying attention. Where that will lead, I don’t know.”

Students off to a pencil-sharp start

Company gives supplies to kids in Calhoun Falls

August 9, 2006

By JOANIE BAKER
Index-Journal staff writer

CALHOUN FALLS — When the WestPoint Home in Calhoun Falls closed its plant this spring, Milliken & Co. opened its mind and heart.
Three truckloads of school supplies later, every student at John C. Calhoun Elementary and Calhoun Falls High will begin their first day of school Thursday with school supplies donated by Milliken.
During Tuesday’s Back-to-School Bash at Calhoun Falls Elementary, about 200 kids darted into their classrooms to find their cubby holes already stuffed with pencil holders and bags containing everything from notebook paper and highlighters to glue sticks and crayons.
David Smith, who worked at WestPoint Home for 14 years, said it made him feel good that Milliken helped him get school supplies for his two kids at a time when money isn’t always in excess.
“It makes my life a whole lot easier,” Smith said. “It keeps me from having to go shopping, so I save on gas and save some money.”
Buffy McCall, whose father worked at the plant for 39 years, said she’s glad the school supplies were donated for parents who wouldn’t otherwise be able to buy their children’s necessities.
“It saves money for everybody who lost jobs,” she said. “There’s a lot of people who lost jobs with kids here that are still looking for jobs.”
About 500 kids were provided school supplies, Milliken representative Judy White said. Though the company does take school supply donations for its Tools for Schools programs, this year it decided to make an extra effort to help students in a community that’s not quite on its feet after the plant’s May closing.
“My hope is that it will teach kids what it is to give and share with others that are in need,” White said. “... It’s really fun to watch the kids and look at the expressions on their faces when they see their supplies. It makes me feel like we’re doing what we’re supposed to be doing.”
Calhoun Falls Elementary Principal David Nixon said that, in the past, teachers have picked up the cost of buying school supplies for students who came to school unprepared because of circumstances outside of their control. Milliken, he said, has lifted the burden.
“It will make the start of the school year so much smoother and so much better because everyone will be prepared,” he said.
Kindergarten teacher Varonica Crawford said the school supplies get students off to a good start.
“A lot of the time, the way your year starts is the way it lasts,” she said. “If it starts great, then it will end great.”

Coming clean on sanitizers:
Child experts, others weigh in

August 9, 2006

By BOBBY HARRELL
Index-Journal staff writer

Some people think antibacterial hand sanitizers can weaken children’s immune systems, causing them to be sick more often.
Some think children might even be more susceptible to a “supergerm” if they overuse antibacterial soap and sanitizers and remove “good germs” that help strengthen the immune system.
While there is debate in the medical community, most research doesn’t support this concept.
Some medical researchers say children shouldn’t be too germ-free because it can cause them to be open to more serious illnesses later in life, Dr. Lester Mitscher, professor of medicinal chemistry at the University of Kansas, said in a Toddler Today Web site article.
Margaret Martin prefers the children at Kids’ World Ministries in Greenwood use soap and water more than antibacterial hand sanitizers.
The child care director said she was told at a Department of Social Services workshop for daycare providers a few years ago that clear, alcohol-based liquid sanitizers could do more harm than good.
The Department of Social Services’ Web site indicates that daycares should not fully replace traditional hand washing (soap and water) with the use of sanitizers.
Others say that while hand sanitizers can kill helpful and harmful bacteria after use, helpful bacteria regenerate, according to the GelSan waterless hand sanitizer Web site.
Still, other organizations, such as the Centers for Disease Control and the Infectious Diseases Society of America, say hand sanitizers can help.
According to a Harvard Medical School study, families that used alcohol-based hand sanitizer gel had a 59 percent reduction in the spread of gastrointestinal illnesses compared with families that didn’t use hand sanitizers.
Martin said hand sanitizers shouldn’t be used as the only means to clean children’s hands. Kids should also use soap and water.
“If you have a choice of one or the other, you use warm water and soap,” Martin said.
Hand sanitizers are used throughout Greenwood School District 50’s elementary schools, said Martha Vincent, director of staff development.
Sanitizers are standard on school supply lists this year.
Nancy Moore, lead head nurse for District 50, said she has seen research that claims hand sanitizers are just as effective as washing with water and soap.
She said hand sanitizers are easier for children to use than soap and water. And hand sanitizers cause fewer class disruptions than when children have to go to the bathroom to wash their hands, Moore said.
They also keep kids from spreading diseases from surface to surface, she said.
“It’s very effective in reducing those things that people come in contact with,” Moore said.

Stewart Campbell

CALHOUN FALLS, SC — Stewart Calvin Campbell, 82, resident of 537 E. Marion St. widower of Ruth Lewis Campbell died Monday Aug. 7, 2006 at National Health Care in Greenwood, SC.
Born in Abbeville Co. SC he was a son of the late Lewis Calvin and Sarah Othella Bannister Campbell.
He was a United States Army veteran having served in Italy during World War II. He was a retired textile employee with over 32 years of service at Abbeville Milliken Plant and Burlington Industries. He and his wife Ruth ran a neighborhood grocery store for many years in Calhoun Falls. Stewart will be lovingly remembered as “UNCLE STEWART” by many of his nieces and nephews and was blessed to have some really special neighbors.
Survivors are: 1 sister Amanda Ruth Scott of Calhoun Falls, SC and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a son Dale Campbell and 2 daughters Lynn and Tressy Campbell.
Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, Aug. 10, 2006 at 3:00 PM from the Calhoun Falls Pentecostal Holiness Church with the Revs. Lawrence Johnson and Ben Edwards officiating. The burial will follow in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens. The family is at the home of his niece, Mrs. Sarah Crittendon, 1028 Peach Orchard Rd., Calhoun Falls, SC.
The body is at The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home, Abbeville, SC. The family will receive friends Thursday afternoon from 1:00 until 2:30 PM in the social hall of the Calhoun Falls Pentecostal Holiness Church prior to services.
Online condolences may be sent to the Campbell family by visiting www.chandlerjacksonfh.com
THE CHANDLER-JACKSON FUNERAL HOME, ABBE-VILLE, SC IS IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS.
PAID OBITUARY

Benjamin Isiah Davis

Benjamin Isiah “Bud” Davis, 48, of 108 Addison Ave., husband of Mary Carter Davis, died Monday, Aug. 7, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Greenwood County, he was a son of Betty Sue Morgan Dye and the late John Evan Davis. He was a member of Bethlehem Church of God Holiness.
Survivors include his wife of Greenwood; his mother of the home; a brother, Dedrick “Shawn” Davis of Phoenix, Ariz.; four sisters, Mrs. Christopher (Rosa Bell) Alexander of Ninety Six, Mrs. Rufus (Betty Jean) Tolbert of Jacksonville, Fla., Patricia Ann Cummings of Greenwood and Laura Edna Davis of Atlanta.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at robson@nctv.com.

Runette Foster

Runette Worthington Foster, 94, of 222 Virginia Ave., widow of Lewel R. Foster Sr., died Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2006 at the Hospice House.
Born in Greenwood, she was a daughter of the late Hilary Lee and Mattie Sue Covar Worthington. She was a member of Woodfields Baptist Church and the TEL Sunday School Class of the church.
Survivors include a son, Lewel R. Foster Jr. and three daughters, Mrs. Ben (Myrtle) Rush, Mrs. Johnny (Mary) Steward and Mrs. Albert (Linda) Davenport, all of Greenwood; 11 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren.
Services are 3:30 p.m. Thursday at Blyth Funeral Home, officiated by Dr. Robert Miller and the Rev. Woody Oliver.
Burial is in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers are Keith Foster, Roy Schumpert, Erin Schumpert, Jacob Cox, Tanner Strickland, Josh Owens, Kory Foster and Justin Gurney.
Visitation is 7-9 tonight at the funeral home.
The family is at the home of Lewel R. Foster Jr., 1508 Marshall Road.
Memorials may be made to Woodfields Baptist Church, 1708 Marshall Road, Greenwood, SC 29646 or Hospice Care of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Ave., Greenwood, SC 29646.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.blythfuneralhome.com.

James Gentry

NINETY SIX — James Roger “Coconut” Gentry, 54, resident of 3314 Golf Course Road, husband of Ann DeLoach Gentry, died August 7, 2006 near Princeton.
Born in Greenwood, SC, May 29, 1952, he was a son of the late Edward J. and Rebecca Aiton Gentry. He was a graduate of Ninety Six High School and was currently employed by Davey Tree Company.
A member of First Baptist Church of Ninety Six, he was also a member of the Butler Sunday School Class, the Greater Atlanta British Motorcycle Association (G.A.B.M.A.) and the Mason’s Eureka Lodge #43.
Surviving in addition to his wife of the home are two daughters, Kimberly G. Gettys and Melissa G. Schofield, both of Ninety Six; five grandchildren, Keri Trull, Breanna Harvley, Taylor Schofield, Garrett Gettys and Evan Gettys; a brother, Gene Gentry of Lompoc, CA; three sisters, Betty McKittrick of Oakridge, TN, Debbie Shiflet of York and Bobbi Miller of Pendleton. Mr. Gentry was predeceased by a brother, David Gentry.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday at First Baptist Church of Ninety Six with Rev. Chuck Sprouse and Rev. Steve Justice officiating.
Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Neil Lomax, Robbie Price, Phil Hawkins, Phillip Fortner, Charlie Smith and Ray White.
Honorary escort will be employees of Davey Tree Co., Duke Power Co., Pike Associates, and Scope Associates along with Bill Voiselle, Bill Montgomery, Craig Maddox, Willie Long, Don Clark and Gene Easler.
The body is at Blyth Funeral Home and will be placed in the church at 10:00 Friday morning.
The family is at the home on Golf Course Road in Ninety Six and will receive friends at the funeral home 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday evening.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Ninety Six, 205 N. Church St., Ninety Six, SC 29666.
For online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Gentry family.
PAID OBITUARY

Fremon Wilbon Gilchrist

Services for Fremon Wilbon Gilchrist, of 6-C Pine Ridge Apartments, are 2:30 p.m. Thursday at Mount Hermon Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Arthur Kemp, assisted by Pastor J. Cedric Smith and the Rev. Herbert Martin Jr. The body will be placed in the church at 1:30. Burial is in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers are nephews, and flower bearers are nieces.
The family is at the home.
Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc. is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at robson@nctv.com.

Earnest Martin Jr.

Services for Earnest Martin Jr., of 902 Marshall St., are 11 a.m. Thursday at Robinson & Son Mortuary, conducted by the Rev. Clyde Cannon, assisted by the Revs. Warren Gist, Michael Butler and Randy Holloway. Burial is in Oakbrook Memorial Park.
Pallbearers are Marcus Martin, Rodney Holloway, Ronald Burton Jr., Joe Lark, Brenden Allen Martin and Calvin Dorn.
Flower bearers are Missionary Society members of Old Mount Zion.
The family is at the home.
Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc. is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at robson@nctv.com.

Ella Mathis Williams

Services for Ella Mathis Williams, of National Healthcare, are 1 p.m. today at Pine Grove AME Church, with the Rev. Kenneth Aiken officiating and the Rev. George H. Oliver presiding. The body will be placed in the church at 12. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers are Jamie Patterson, Timothy Williams, Gerald Reid and John Reid.
Flower bearers are Lula Welton, Laura Mae Sprowl, Sharon Johnson, Willie Mae Workman, Veronica Baylor, Lashay Reid and Brianna Murray.
Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at pertompfh1@earthlink.net.

Practice well under way in Abbeville

August 9, 2006

By RENALDO STOVER
Index-Journal Sports Writer

Even with the high temperatures over the last few weeks, football preparations have continued across the state as the countdown to kickoff for the 2006 football season approaches.
Coach Jamie Nickles and the Abbeville Panthers have been doing their part to be ready when that time approaches.
“The heat has been a factor each and every day but, hopefully, it’s something that as the year progresses we’ll get used to because the last time I checked it gets pretty warm over in Ninety Six also,” said Nickles, referring to the first team Abbeville will face in the regular season.
Nickles says that there has been more of a team effort during summer practices and part of that is because the coaching staff has put a major focus on the team concept.
He says that, at this point, no one is standing out individually and he considers his team ‘about average’ although that could change.
“We’re okay everywhere and I can’t really name one place on the team where I feel good about,” Nickles said.
After finishing the 2005 season at 6-6, coach Nickles says his Abbeville team is very excited about the upcoming season but also very cautious.
“We play a tough schedule and you know how injuries can be a factor during any season.” said Nickles.
Abbeville has taken the opportunity to work on skills during scrimmages this summer and will get a few additional chances in the Abbeville and Greenwood Jamborees.
But, according to Nickles, these also provide an opportunity for the coaching staff to create depth throughout the rosters.
Abbeville faced Ware Shoals in a scrimmage earlier this week and, according to Nickles, it was a good scrimmage.
“Ware Shoals really exposes your fundamentals and techniques and if you’re not playing fundamentally sound defense they’ll let you know it,” Nickles said.
“I take it as a challenge and all in all it was a positive scrimmage for both teams.

Can screening of renters help some neighborhoods?

August 9, 2006

National Night Out was recently observed in Greenwood as it was all over the country. It’s a time when the public and law enforcement officers have an opportunity to get to know each other better. It also serves as a reminder that together we can do things to address common problems, including crime.
When some people have a constant struggle to clean up their neighborhoods it shows that any positive step can help, of course. There is another factor, though, that gets little or no attention. It’s a situation that seems to occur far too often. It involves rental property that draws complaints when there seems to be no consideration about who it’s rented to.

IT WOULD HELP, ONE observer noted, if there were some way to screen renters to make sure criminal elements aren’t given entree to neighborhoods that are trying to improve their status. In some places, that observer complained, people are afraid to go out at night or do anything in a normal manner. The problem? It’s fear created by the presence of criminals - perceived or otherwise - living in neighborhood rental property.
Screening renters might present some kind of legal problem, of course, but it’s something that should be explored. It could make a big difference and even enhance future observances of National Night Out.