Challenge Your Student to Be More Respectful
Are You In It? That's the question the Circle of Respect initiative is asking as it inspires us to live in ways that embody respect for ourselves, our friends, our families, and our communities in the places where we live, work and play. From inappropriate moments at the MTV Movie Awards and the Video Music Awards to the outburst at the U.S. Open earlier this year, the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) says the disrespect needs to stop.

In October, NCPC launched the Circle of Respect initiative, which aims to create a nationwide movement that will fundamentally change the way people treat each other, beginning with a new approach to bullying. The Circle of Respect will bring together people from across the country to build workplaces, homes, schools, malls, online spaces and communities that foster respect and consideration for one another, with the larger goal of decreasing criminal behaviors, such as bullying and cyberbullying, harassment, vandalism, theft, alcohol and other drug abuse, date rape and hate crimes.

With the goal of creating safer and more caring communities, the Circle of Respect campaign will have a role for everyone — children and youth, adults and parents, teachers, law enforcement, community organizers, businesses and other nonprofits. Asking "Are You In it?," the Circle of Respect initiative will start by addressing the issues of bullying and cyberbullying to fundamentally change the notion that bullying is a rite of passage to one where bullying is unacceptable.

You can get involved in the Circle of Respect campaign by going to www.circleofrespect.org to get sneak previews of what's happening next, enter contests, make a pledge, participate in monthly book clubs, learn more about bullying and cyberbullying, and more.

Whether your student just started college or is getting ready to graduate, remembering to treat others with respect is so important. This campaign provides a great reminder of what this means for your student in his personal and professional life.