This sounds extreammmmly advertisy.

I have yet to hear from this story for a fact that it was about bullying. An act of violence on a random person is what the news has focused on, so far. It just seemed premature. Also, advertising does not only mean something that costs money. Announcing a service publicly for use, free or not... is advertising.

Moving from a county that implements a bully prevention program to students in their schools of all grades to a county that does not, I can assure of the difference it makes for our children. I firmly believe it should be made mandatory for all schools nationwide. The fact that we teach sex ed but not bully prevention is absurd!!!
It's our children who need these types of seminars built into their curriculum.
Lastly, schools should be required to report bully offences to the board of Ed who should then require the parents of offenders to attend a bully offence seminar with their child, before their child can return to school. I'm sure it would bring attention to the matter at hand when they had to take time from their busy schedules to closely monitor their child's behavior. I'm outraged that repeated tragedys have not opened our eyes but for a second.

Kindly,
The voice of a involved and very concerned parent.

I think not only do we need to educate our children on bullying but we need to educate them that guns are not the way to solve our problems. I never once thought of getting my dad's guns or rifles when I was bullied as a child. I think we need to teach our children problem solving skills and how to resolve conflicts. It is wonderful to cram their heads full of the basics but I think since they are not getting this at home it might be time to add it to our curriculum.

The initial news I heard in the morning emphasized an interview with a fellow student who witnessed several kids bullying and throwing things at the future gunman in the cafeteria. It was via phone after it had just happened. This male teen said he tried to tell people to leave him alone, that he didn't do anything to them. He said he heard the teen then get so mad and say he was going to be right back and kill them. That is when he went outside, and within 5 minutes came back with a gun and started shooting. They changed the story by the time I made it to work and looked at the updates. I don't know why it changed, whether it wasn't a credible source of if they just hushed that part of the story. But I think I saw it on wbal news Baltimore.

Bullying is part of a societal bruise...whether the kid who bullies was abused himself or learned to hate, we need to look more closely, as I have said before, to signs of bullying, depression, look at FB posts, and take threats of suicide ...or distruction seriously. When there are clues that are revealed after a tragedy, it just points once again to the fact that we as neighbors, family memebers, and society are not paying attention.

I agree Dana, no matter what the cause, violence is not the answer and I simply thought it was a conflict of interest to post free anti bullying classes from a martial arts teacher.

So I guess you think martial arts teachers are pro-bullying? If anything, knowing martial arts is a great defense against being bullied. You're working very hard to impose your confused agenda with your posts.

I think martial arts teachers are wonderful people making a living who believe firmly in its history. Please dont put words in my mouth and twist what I was expressing. Which is what we are all allowed to do, correct? Express our thoughts? Which was, on the heels of this violent act, TO ME, it was advertisy and a conflict of interest. I am a mother entitled to her opinion, imposing nothing.

It, in my opinion is not a conflict of interest. While the profession and the offer for free classes may seem to some as free advertising it actually also platforms his area of expertise. It would be the same as if there were a weight loss expert speaking out on obesity. It would not be aassumed that the audience is fat or somehow needing help. Thank God people are taking an interest. Do you see through this stream how people can be so easily misunderstood? Now.....think of the children.

What? I am thinking of children. Specifically my own, so much of self esteem, and expertise should start at home. Not on martial arts mat, who's instructor in his spare time is anti violence. The promotion of the two going hand in hand didn't sit well with me. Sorry you read it differently.

Eileen, so you want tax payer dollars to fund seminars that the private sector is willing to do, credibly, professionally, for free? We need them -- undisputable. My son is a victim of bullying from a family whos parents harrass my older daughter with physical threats, not covered under the bullying policies of the schools. The more opportunities people have to be educated on this very important topic the better. Ask the mother of Christopher Adkins, who was beaten to death by his bullyers right in Crofton in broad daylight. You should be ashamed of yourself to impose advertising debates over top of legitimate comments about bullying. Please refrain from bullying the author of this article and the business that is willing to help our community get this problem under control

Of course self esteem and teaching of love should be taught at home...that is obvious. But it is also obvious that it is not being taught in every home. Unfortunately, people are forced to work so hard it doesn't mennbad parents. Every home is unique and different. That is why we all ne
ed to pay attention to kids whether they are ours or not. We need to not be afraid to speak up and out to when we see bullying happen. Passiveness is just as bad as bullying. Also...people need to think that others have good intentions and not selfish reasons. Then we all would be less defensive no you
And argumentative.....as it appears to be getting in these posts.

because I wont be railroaded into agreeing with something ...I am bullying? Classic. I will not be ashamed of myself for speaking up that I thought it was advertisy and premature, because hours after this violent act bullying was assumed, but actually had nothing to do with the shooting. It came across as tacky for advertising a "free" anti bullying seminar that takes place at the instructors martial arts studio. No doubt his free expertise leads you to your checkbook and a black belt. I feel advocating violence, even cloaked in " free expertise" to deter violence strikes me as wrong. I have every right to feel so AND voice it. I never EVER condoned bullying, said anything bad about the business OR editor. I think seminars could be super helpful about bullying, just not in a martial arts studio. That's all. Even if you think it's crap. That's ok! These comment boxes are used for this. Expression. I hope you find the right avenues to deal with your bullying situation, it's a ugly world. I hope the tools inculcated in my 2 and 4 year old get them through the rough times ahead. Good luck.

Having taken tae kwon do for over 15 years (yikes! old...) and helped my own instructor lead anti-bullying seminars, it's wholly unfair to think of this as a marketing ploy that feeds off of the misery and despair off of children with bully problems. By making such nuanced accusations as "free", "cloaked", "advertisey", "tacky", and even quoting the phrase "free expertise" as if it were a sarcastic comment all show that you were saying bad things about Master Van Duren's business as well as the editor.

Martial arts is a way to bestow confidence upon kids and adults alike, increase social and problem-solving skills, and initiate physical activity into your daily life. These things combined with actual martial arts technique and the mindset of getting out of dangerous situations before even needing to use martial arts is what martial arts is about!

Have you considered that even if you voice your opinion (no opinion is right or wrong...so I'm not saying that you are), that facts don't lie? Bully buster programs have been around for years with positive results, and using social media for PUBLIC OUTREACH is perfectly acceptable in today's society.

I've been a victim of bullying when I was younger, and I'm actually very proud to say that because of my training in tae kwon do, I had the sense to leave the situation at hand and tell my parents what had happened...without resulting in violence.

I am done responding. I have stated my point over and over again. I have less then zero interest in talking about Kung fu. My point was light years missed and beyond twisted. However, I feel exceptionally proud of myself to state my thoughts. So many are followers and never question anything. How sad.