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Bullying Awareness and Prevention

Emerson Junior/Senior High School Mr. Silva

Take Action Against Bullying


The United Nations Charter of Rights for Children sates, in
part, that
1) Every child has the right to an education 2) Every child has the right to be safe

It is the schools duty to provide a safe school environment for all students

BULLYING HAS NO PLACE IN A SAFE SCHOOL!!!

Symptoms of Bullying
Failing school work Becoming ill/unexplained illness Displaying unexpected mood swings or withdrawal

Having trouble concentrating or losing interest in school


Arguing or fighting Reporting harassment

Displaying suspicious bruises or scratches


Frequently losing money or property Avoiding lunchtime, recess, social activities or specific groups

Change in attitude about school/loss of desire to attend


Seclusion from friends and family Changing friends or social groups

Some Important Facts


Bullies

Often bright, good at talking themselves out of situations There is a strong correlation between bullying and experiencing legal or criminal troubles with violence as adults Tend to be popular and have average or above average self-esteem 85-90% of their victims are passive, not provocative Bullies do attack when others are watching (bystanders) Have a need to feel powerful and in control Get satisfaction from inflicting suffering on others, have little to no empathy for victims

Victims

More likely to suffer from physical illness, academic trouble, and mental health problems Tend to have poor self-concepts, social withdrawal, anxiety and depression Less popular than other students Given labels suggesting inadequacies Have limited skills for gaining acceptance Poor communication skills during stressful situations May have family members who are over involved in decisions and activities May blame themselves or be blamed by adults for their problems May be afraid to go to school

Often come from homes where physical punishment is used, parental involvement is missing and warmth is lacking

In a Truly Safe School Every Student Feels Like


He or She belongs

He or She is Valued
He or She feels Physically And Emotionally Safe

Students Cannot Learn If They Do Not Feel Safe. Safe Schools..


Are free from violence Are nurturing, caring and respectful of everyone

Are physically and psychologically healthy


Promote sensible risk taking Encourage community self-esteem

Types of Bullying/Harassment
Verbal Aggression

Written Aggression/Cyber-bullying
Physical Aggression Emotional/Social Aggression Bias Based Bullying Sexual Harassment

What Is Bullying/Harassment?
Targeting a peer for repetitive
negative actions
(This includes any gesture; any written, verbal or physical act; or electronic communication)

Lack of compassion for


victim by the harasser

Explanation of problem by
bully laying blame on the victim

Imbalance of power such


that the victim cannot defend him/herself

Harassment is defined by the


perception of the receiver/victim

A precursor to violence

Harassment is against the


law

Unequal levels of affect

What Defines a Bullying Incident?


Many children joke around with each other, call each
other names, or engage in some horse-play and yet these incidents are NOT deemed as bullying

The difference lies in the relationship of the bully and


the victim, and in the intent of the action

Bullying usually, although not always, occurs between


individuals who are not friends

Common Solutions
Adults often expect students to solve these problems
on their own and do not realize students need help with these situations

Adults often respond based on their own experience


with bullies and many feel that bullying in a part of growing up

Societal influence To effectively deal with the problem, community-wide


intervention is necessary

Elements of Effective Discipline


Adults are responsive but non-reactive

Use pro-social consequences


Use consequences that teach: empathy, correct social
thinking, social problem solving, how to be part of caring community

Take advantage of teachable moments Strive for shared control

Involve the caring majority


Protect all from retaliation

Stages of Change
Clear expectations and rules discipline involves
making sure rules are understood and enforced consistently through consequences

Skill Development discipline relies on emotional


coaching and incident reports

Empowering shared control and emphasizing a


caring community through rituals and reinforcement of the positive

New Jersey Law


School districts MUST have a policy to be followed
when an act of bullying occurs

All policies must include certain component, such as:


1) Description of the type of behavior expected from each student. 2) The consequences and appropriate remedial action (within 10 days of the complaint) for a person who commits an act of harassment, intimidation or bullying

Assembly Bill No. 3466


All schools must have a policy on harassment,
intimidation, or bullying as part of its student code of conduct. The school shall distribute the policy by email to each student before the beginning of the school year. The policy shall also be posted on its website.

The new bill amends the definition of harassment,

intimidation or bullying to specify that harm can be either physical or emotional intimidation, and bullying as a reason for student suspension or expulsion

New Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights includes harassment,

Bullying Prevention Ideas


No name calling month

Random acts of kindness month


Use kind words month Give more compliments month Activities should focus on sensitizing you to how hurtful
words or behaviors can be and helping them to develop empathy for the feelings of others

Cyber-Bullying
Schools can also educate the students on cyber-ethics
and the law

If schools are creative, they can sometimes avoid the


claim that their actions exceeded their legal authority for off-campus cyber-bullying actions

Schools have a right to discipline the student for


actions taken off-campus if they are intended to have an effect on a student or they adversely affect the safety and well-being of student while in school

Bullying
Myths
Bullying is kids being kids

Facts
Bullying is the most enduring and underrated problem in American schools When bullying is ignored, the problem escalates Feeling lonely, humiliated, or unsafe is not a normal part of growing up

Bullying teaches children to


be tough

Bullying will stop on its own Bullying only gets worse


when reported

The consequences of bullying can be long term and serious


Certain kinds of bullying break the law and can lead to criminal charges ranging from harassment to assault Bullying should be reported to schools, law enforcement and parents immediately.

Prevention Plans
Community Wide Programs

Safe and Drug-Free Schools (D.A.R.E.)


Balance preventative action and discipline in response to
behavioral indicators

Plan for high risk times and places Discipline Policies Identify and respond to youths at risk

Referral mechanisms
Partnerships with community leaders and resources

Local Newspaper Article


Bullying epidemic, Cyber Bullying and how to stop:
http://www.northjersey.com/specialreports/full/The_Rec ord_Special_Report_on_Bullying.html

NJ: One of the toughest Anti-Bullying law in the nation:


http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/01/gov_christie _signs_anti-bullyi.html

A website for all about bullying:


http://www.stopbullying.gov/

Information
I went to a workshop about anti-bullying in Bergen
County. I, along with many other teachers, learned what we could do to reduce and prevent bullying in our school. Most of my information is from notes I took at this workshop. It proved very helpful and I was happy I went.

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