Lincoln Lions Roar Against Bullying

Created by the LPACLincoln Charter School Parent Advisor

Council2011-2012 School Year

What Causes Bullying? Bullying is not a new problem in schools, but it is gaining more attention as episodes of school violence are increasing. Below are some of the major causes of bullying schools.

Desire for AttentionCycle of AbuseInfluence of MediaDesire for ControlGang Membership

Why?

What Does Bullying Look Like?

Cliques of kidsKids make facesKids might make the LoserKids start false rumors

What Does Bullying Look Like Cont.

Denial of Bullying Bully will give insincere Bullying online and texting

What Does the Victim Look LikePoor social skillsLack of confidence Don’t have support of teacher Blame themselves Desperate to fit in Adults in their lives treat them badly Highly unlikely to seek help

What are School’s Responsibilities? “Every student has the right to a safe school and

the school has a responsibility to stop bullying.”Firm, fair, and consistent enforcement of school

discipline policies, meaningful school climate strategies which include anti-bullying initiatives, and balanced security measures can lead to school climates with less bullying and fewer safety threats to children.

CurriculumPreventionLessons

Next Steps Assess bullying in your

school. Increase adult

supervision in bullying "hot spots.”

Involve students, parents, teachers, and staff in bullying prevention.

Encourage teachers and staff to file incident reports of bullying

Create policies and rules.

Next Steps cont. Integrate bullying

prevention material into curriculum and school activities.

Promote extracurricular activities.

Raise awareness about your bullying prevention initiative.

Establish a school culture of acceptance, tolerance and respect.

Help The Bully

Isolate the bullying behaviorRemove bullying from situationAsk offender to write letter homeFollow up that the letter went homeWorking with persistent offendersIt difficult to leave the negative behaviors

behind Get other agencies involvedGet support from the police department and

community

Help The Victim First:Express relief that the bullying is now out in the

openAvoid focusing on the shortcomings of the bullying

victim.Concentrate on where the immediate problem is -

the behavior of the bully.The aim of any intervention must be to stop the

immediate abuse.Ensure that the bully changes his or her behavior.Make the peer group aware and ask them to

help the victim. Provide support for the victim

Help the Victim cont. Ensure the victim has access to a bully free

environment at all times.Use reliable peers, teacher aids, senior

volunteers and others as supporters.Spend time with the isolated pupil. A special safe room that has adequate staff

supervision is useful.Withdrawn and isolated victimsNeed the opportunity to be involved in special

confidence building programs.Have difficulty integrating with their peer group

Study Measures Bullying's Academic TollWhile bullying is known to leave physical and

emotional scars, a new study finds that victims may suffer long-lasting academic effects, and high-achieving black and Latino students are especially vulnerable.

“Schools may think that because students are black and Latino, they’re better able to handle bullying,” she said, “and their schools won’t have the same type of [bullying prevention] programs.” Ms. Williams’ and Mr. Peguero’s results were based on the academic performance of 9,590 students in 580 schools.

Friends to Friends Club Mission of Club: Is to build self confidence in

the students at Lincoln Charter School. To help create an community that celebrates the difference of all students.

How will the mission be met: Through monthly club meetings after school that will focus on building self- esteem, teach critical thinking skills, and help develop self soothing behaviors.

How will students be referred: by administration, parent request, or from student support manager.

Positive Affirmation LessonPositive affirmations can “re-wire” your brain and give you a feeling of happiness, the power that can help you dealing with the challenges you face. Every morning when you get up choose one of these self-esteem affirmations. Have students use these self-esteem affirmations to get going in the morning;

I AM THE BESTI AM HAPPY AND SUCCESSFULI CAN DO EVERYTHINGI CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE TODAYI DESERVE TO BE HAPPYI AM A GREAT COMMUNICATORI PULL BACK MY SHOULDER, LIFT UP MY CHIN AND I

FEEL THE POWERI AM RELAXEDI FEEL GREAT

Questions for further DiscussionWhen choosing an intervention, you may want to

consider the following questions:Did the bullying incident occur within the school's

jurisdiction?What is the history of the students involved?What is the nature of the bullying behavior?How frequent and severe is the bullying?What intervention will promote a positive outcome

for the students?Does the intervention fit within the school district's

guidelines?

Introduction to School Community

In school assemblyKick off for

communityTraining for staffSpeakers NewslettersSurvey for students

and parents

Referenced Education Week, (2011). Study Measures Bullying's Academic Toll.

Retrieved August 23, 2011 from, http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2011/08/23/02bully.h31.html?tkn=SUMFZFy6lQj7pQH782lON57hsViztO59%2Bgin&print=1

National Association of School Psychologist, (2003). Bullying Prevention and Intervention. Retrieved August 22, 2011 from, http://www.nasponline.org/resources/principals/nassp_bullying.aspx

National Safety and School Security Services, (2011). Bullying and Anti-Bullying Legislation Retrieved August 22, 2011 from, http://www.schoolsecurity.org/trends/bullying.htm

United States Government (2001). Stop Bullying. Retrieved August 23, 2011 from, http://www.stopbullying.gov/index.html