FORT WORTH -- Bullying shouldn't be a problem that children face alone, Kathryn Everest said.
Nor is it just a school problem, said Everest, the Fort Worth school district's director of guidance and counseling."This is something that truly impacts our community as a whole," she said.The district conducted an anti-bullying workshop Friday for area nonprofit groups and city agencies to discuss the stepped-up efforts of the "It's Not Okay" campaign.Everest said many of the topics in the campaign -- such as a bullying, dating violence, suicide, "sexting" and gangs -- come straight from students who relayed their biggest concerns.Fort Worth Police Chief Jeff Halstead said that as children use cellphones and social media at younger ages, they encounter more chances to be bullied, some of which can rise to the level of criminal charges."This transcends into so many aspects of our community," Halstead said. "Now you can have a 10-year-old child who receives horrible information or threats over the Internet."He said police are working with the FBI on new ways to combat threats and obscenities sent over the Internet.Halstead and Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price participated in the workshop.Price said joining the "It's Not Okay" campaign is just one of many opportunities for the city and school district to work together.On Thursday, Price and Walter Dansby, who was named finalist for the school district's superintendent post, met to discuss other ways to cooperate.For example, Price said, city fire officials are working with Eastern Hills High School on its firefighter training classes, and police are exploring how to participate in the school's criminal justice program.Dansby said the district is also exploring ways to partner with the city on more programs, such as activities involving parks and recreation."The more opportunities we can have to partner together, it helps our community as a whole, especially our children," he said.Eva-Marie Ayala, 817-390-7700Twitter: @fwstayalaHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
