The Ophelia Project of Southeastern Wisconsin is an
organization dedicated to creating a culture that is
emotionally, physically and socially sage, where children are respected and nurtured. Through awareness, education, and advocacy, The Ophelia Project promotes positive change in families, schools, and communities. By supporting a network of friends, mentors, and professionals, The Ophelia Project encourages all children to become confident and healthy. For more information about The Ophelia Project of Southeastern Wisconsin please contact Jane Finkenbine at opheliaproject.sewi@gmail.com
Newsletter Article: K12 Education September Update
The Ophelia Project of SE Wisconsin is dedicated to helping youth form healthy peer relationships and creating safer social climates for all. We serve as a catalyst to schools and community organizations throughout southeast Wisconsin who want to end the social and emotional torment many children face each day at the hands & voices of their peers. According to the National Education Association, each day in the U.S. alone, 160,000 children stay home from school for fear of being tormented by their peers.
The Ophelia Project of SE Wisconsin works to raise awareness of negative peer behaviors, specifically, relational aggression (RA). RA is using relationships to cause harm to others, (i.e. rumor spreading, covert physical aggression, name-calling, excluding, cyber-bullying, etc.). We work with schools and community organizations throughout southeast Wisconsin to help call attention to these harmful behaviors and give youth the leadership skills necessary to make a difference by becoming Empowered Bystanders.
Research shows that all 3 role players in relational aggression (the target, aggressor and bystander) are negatively impacted by these hurtful behaviors. OP works with youth to change what they believe about aggression and give them tools to stand up for each other. By middle school, studies show that less than 10% of children tell adults what hurtful behaviors are going on everyday in the hallways, lunchrooms, and even in the classrooms. We know that beliefs predict behaviors, so by changing what children believe about how to treat others and be treated, we can create environments that are safer physically, emotionally and socially.
OP promotes these beliefs:
- We are each accountable for our own actions
- We treat each other with respect and civility
- When we make a mistake, we make it right
- When aggression happens, everyone is responsible for helping make it better
In 2007, over 2,000 children and 500 adults worked with OP to help us create safer social climates. For more information on what your school, community organization, or family can do to help create safer social climates and raise awareness of relational aggression, contact The Ophelia Project of SE Wisconsin at opheliaproject.sewi@gmail.com.
