Bully Proofing Our School

Mission Statement

Our goal is to make the school environment safe for children both physically and psychologically. 1. Stop the behavior-There will be “no

bullying rules” enforced by staff members.

  2. What the students do-The students will

help others by speaking out and getting adult help.

  3. How students should treat one another-The students will use extra effort to include everyone.

What Does Research Say About Bullying?

• A large Midwestern study found that 15% of fourth through eighth graders were severely distressed by bullying.

• The highest rates of bullying and the most often reported trauma were reported during grades 5-8.

• A school-wide systemic program has been found to be the most effective method for dealing with the problem of bullying.

Four Basic Concepts of the Bully-Proofing Your School Program

• The program is designed as a systemic, comprehensive program.

• The main focus is on climate change• The program teaches skills and

strategies to avoid victimization• Emphasis is on developing the caring majority

The Outcome

What is Bullying?

Physical or psychological intimidation that occurs repeatedly over time

Bullying can be overt (i.e., teasing, hitting, or stealing); boys are most often overt bullies

Bullying can covert (i.e., spreading rumors or exclusion); girls are most often covert bullies

Who are Bullies?

Children who bully typically demonstrate a strong sense of self-esteem

They like to feel powerful and in control

Who are Bullies? (Con.)

• Bullies often come from homes that use physical punishment to discipline

• Caregivers of bullies are typically uninvolved and lack warmth

• Children who bully are often defiant toward authority figures and are apt to break rules

Gender Differences and Bullying

• Boys tend to bully with direct bullying or physical or verbal aggression.

• Girls tend to bully with indirect means such as social aggression.

• Boys who bully tend to be 1 to 2 years older than their victims. Their victims can be boys or girls.

• Girls who bully tend to target other girls who are the same age to be their victims

• Girls are more likely to be bullied by a group.

• Girls are more likely to involve both girls and boys in their pursuits against a victim.

• Boys identify their behaviors as bullying more than boys.

Who are the victims of Bullying?

(Victims of Bullying, Con.)

•Children who are bullied are often insecure, socially isolated, anxious, and have low self-esteem

•They are unlikely to defend themselves or retaliate

•They tend to be weaker than their peers

•Children who are bullied perceive parent or teacher intervention to be ineffective and are unlikely to report the problem

Typical Adult Responses To

Bullying• Bullying is often

perceived as a harmless rite of passage that all children will experience

• Unless bullying is likely to lead to physical injury, many adults believe it is best left to be resolved by children and their peers

Effects of Bullying on Victims

• Academic• School

avoidance,truancy• Lowered grades and

reduced learning• Lowered self-esteem• Diminished academic

risk taking

Effects of Bullying on Victims

• Loss of appetite• Nervousness• Stomachaches, vomiting• Depression• Headaches • Loss of sleep

Effects of Bullying on Victims (Con’t.)

• Adjustment Problems• Emotional distress• Anxiety• Depression• Lowered self-esteem• Homicidal ideation and

attempts• Suicidal ideation and

attempts • Loneliness

Long-Term Implication of Bullying

Children who are bullies are likely to experience legal or criminal problems as adults

Children can carry bullying behaviors into adulthood and experience difficulty in forming and maintaining relationships

Children who are bullied often experience low self-esteem and depression even into adulthood

Children who are bullied perceive school as an unsafe place and are likely to miss more days of school than their peers, as a result their education is negatively affected

Bystanders____________________

Most ignored and underused resource in our schools

85%of a school population –the silent majority

Become desensitized over time-diminished empathy

Why don’t they get involved? 1. Fear of retaliation 2. Don’t know what to do Afraid they’ll make things worse Worry about losing social status Don’t believe adults will help

The difference between Tattling Vs. Telling

– Unimportant vs. Important

• Harmless vs. Harmful or dangerous physically or psychologically

• Can handle by self vs. need help from adult

• Purpose is to get someone into trouble vs. purpose is to keep people safe

• Behavior is accidental behavior is intentional

Ideas for ConsequencesIdeas for Consequences

  

        Missing recess/break and instead, helping in the office

        Making an “I Caught You Caring” award, button, or poster for use in the school

        Staying after school to perform a helpful act        Having to call one’s parent(s) to explain one’s

behavior and have a “caring act” set as a consequence

        Teaches a “class” on “thinking errors” at a lower grade level

        Cleaning up trash on the playground, break area, or cafeteria

        Tutoring another student in a mastered subject        Writing a report about an altruistic leader (e.g.,

Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Mother Theresa)        Having lunch with or doing something nice for the

student one bullied (this requires adult supervision and victim willingness)

        Role playing the victim of the same behavior with the teacher

        Meeting with the counselor to discuss one’s behavior and to process” thinking errors”

        Observing playground time, recording journal observed acts of kindness

Observing the playground time of younger students, passing out rewards to children displaying caring, kind

behaviors to others

Responding to the Problem of Bullying

Develop a school-wide bullying policy to:

raise awareness of teachers and administrators

create a framework for responding to bullying

improve overall school environmentto ensure change is occurring in the classroom

empower students through programs such as peer counseling, mediation, or conflict resolution

Responding to the Problem of Bullying,

(Con’t.) Develop a school-wide bullying policy Implement classroom curriculum Develop classroom rules against

bullying

Develop cooperative learning projects that encourage teamwork and reduce social isolation

Create activities or assignments that teach problem-solving or conflict-resolution skills

Participate in role-playing or other activities to help children understand the perspectives of others and identify feelings

Responding to the Problem of Bullying

(Con’t.) Raise awareness of bullying:

Allow students to fill out surveys to better understand their perspective of bullying

Inform caregivers of bullying policies/curriculum through conferences, newsletters, or PTA meetings

Encourage parent involvement in anti-bullying initiatives

Strategies With Bullies

A no-nonsense style Use prosocial consequences Give brief, clear descriptions of

unacceptable behavior and consequences Do not have a long discussion of the

situation Correct the bully’s thinking errors Identify the victim’s emotions Build empathy for the victim Re-channel power-do not try to suppress Set the culture for you school through the

caring majority

Strategies with victims

Use a supportive, fear reducing style,Reduce self-blame by clear

identification of cruel behaviorDemonstrate compassion and

empathyConnect victim to helpful peersMobilize caring majority in the

classroomRemind of HA HA SO strategies

Help, Assert Yourself, Humor, Avoid, Self-Talk, Own It.

Consider individual help with friendship skills

Strategies for Bystanders

Normalize fears and worriesEmphasize strength in numbersCommunicate the expectation

to take actionTeach skills and strategies to

take a standAcknowledge and reward

caring behaviors

Bullying

For More Information About Bullying Visit:

• National Parent information Network www.npin.orgEducators for Social Responsibility

www.benjerry.com/esr/about~esr.htmlBullying in Schools and What to do About it http://www.education.unisa.edu.au/bullyingAnti-Bullying Network http://www.antibullying.net