Truancy is also a problem at Grants' schools

By Jim Tiffin
Cibola County Bureau

GRANTS — Bullying is not just a problem at school. Truancy can lead to bullying, and both are connected, a law enforcement officer said.

Grants Police Office John Casteneda, the school resource officer, said truancy causes problems; it is not just skipping school.

When students skip school on a regular basis, not only are they depriving themselves of much needed education, they often become community problems.

"Truancy is a gateway behavior," he said.

Truants hang out in town. There is nothing to do. Soon, they are causing criminal damage to property by vandalizing, they break into homes and businesses and often get together to pick on someone who is not willing to fight back.

Casteneda said bullying begins as early as elementary school.

"If they get away with it, a pattern of behavior sets in by the time they get to middle school," he said.

Often two or three will band together and pick on one.

That may cause problems, as readers will note by tragedy across the nation from the victims of those bullies turning into revenge seeking individuals, often successful, such as recently at Virginia Technical Institute.

"The city is handling it right, I think. We are looking to get counseling for the bullies to find out why they are doing what it is they are doing," he said.

"What's the underlying cause, how can we help them change their behavior?"

"This is much more effective than just passing another law to be enforced," he said.

Laura Malaga, executive director of Future Foundations Family Center, said bullying is becoming more common among girls than boys at the center.

Truants are showing up as well.

"We need to have better alternative education programs for these kids," she said.

"Not everyone is cut out for the traditional educational schooling, and we need not just one but several alternative programs for the different types of problems," she said.

"A serious issue is the younger generation daughter or sister role modeling after parents or older sisters by learning to deal with disputes by duking it out rather than talk about it," she said.

To contact reporter Jim Tiffin, call (505) 287-2197 or e-mail: jtiffin.independent@yahoo.com.