What is Bullying?
Unwelcome verbal, written, electronic, or physical
contact directed at a student by another
student(s), or by an adult that has an intent to:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Create fear, psychological harm, or physical harm
Damage / extort personal or academic property
Damage or create fear for the loss of personal property
Systematically and/or intentionally exclude
Spread false information
Create an intimidating / hostile environment
Interfere with the educational process / opportunities
Main Types of Bullying
The DEP denotes 4 types of bullying:
1. Physical
2. Verbal
3. Covert (dirty looks,
rumors, exclusion,…)
4. Cyber
Cyber Bullying
• Using technology to
harass, tease, intimidate,
threaten, or terrorize
• Posting and/or sending
inappropriate messages,
images, videos, etc…
Cyber Bullying: A Serious Issue
• 43% of kids have been bullied online
• 70% of students report seeing frequent bullying online.
• 81% of students think bullying online is easier to
get away with
• 90% of teens who have seen social-media bullying say
they have ignored it.
• Only 1 in 10 victims will inform a parent or trusted
adult of their abuse.
• About 75% of students have visited a website bashing
another student.
• Bullying victims are 2 to 9 times more likely to
consider committing suicide.
•
Stats from Dosomething.org @ http://www.dosomething.org/tipsandtools/11-facts-about-cyber-bullying
Impact of Bullying
We all must work together to prevent:
• Negative School Climate
• Low Morale; Self-Esteem
• Isolation (limited social;
educational opportunities)
• Fear; Intimidation
• Escalation to Violence!
Bullying Destroys
• Over 3.2 million students are victims of
bullying each year.
• 1 in 4 teachers see nothing wrong with
bullying and will only intervene 4% of the time.
• Approximately 160,000 teens skip school
every day because of bullying.
• 1 in 7 students in grades K-12 is either a bully
or a victim of bullying.
Bullying Destroys
• Over 75% of students believe schools respond
poorly to bullying; believe adult help is infrequent
and ineffective.
• 90 % of 4th through 8th graders report being
victims of bullying.
• 1 in10 students drop out because of bullying.
• Physical bullying increases in elementary
school, peaks in middle school and declines
in high school. Verbal abuse, on the other
hand, remains constant.
•
Stats from Dosomething.org @ http://www.dosomething.org
Authority & Consequences
Zero Tolerance Policy!!!
• Bullying will receive prompt and severe
consequences when it occurs on school
property, during school, at school sponsored
events, or on school transportation
• Prompt investigation as well as possible
consequences and collaboration with law
enforcement will occur for all
other bullying related incidents.
Be an Advocate
Remaining a bystander is NOT acceptable!
• Report incidents immediately to a staff member
or parent(s)/guardian(s)
• Visit Guidance - open door policy
• OPTION: Submit an anonymous report to your
principal (confidentiality will be maintained!)
• REMEMBER: All the adults in this building care
about you and are here to help
Delegation of Responsibilities
• Education Programs & Staff Training
–Knowledge is power!
• Immediate Intervention
–Staff must intervene when safe to do so
• Climate of Respect
– Each member of this school community
(student & staff) must respect and defend the
rights of others at ALL times!
Reporting Guidelines
• All students, teachers, staff, parents/guardians
are expected to immediately report bullying.
• However, the avenues for reporting may vary
as follows:
• Teacher: intervene when safe; report to principal
• Additional Staff: report to principal
• Parents / Guardians: report to principal
• Students: submit anonymous report, visit
guidance, tell teacher/staff, report to principal
Confidentiality
• All bullying reports will be taken seriously and
promptly investigated.
• When appropriate the parent/guardian of both the
victim and the bully will be contacted
–NOTE: All FERPA rules and regulations will be
followed in notification of both parties to
maintain confidentiality and protect all students
• Law Enforcement agencies will be contacted and
involved when appropriate
Investigation Methods
All bullying reports will be taken seriously and
promptly investigated!!!
• Principal is the designee (keep them informed)
• Law Enforcement agencies will be contacted and
involved when appropriate
• Possible methods include but are not limited to:
–Conferences, meetings, video surveillance,
review of student(s) records
• Parent/Guardian contacted in accordance with
District Policy as well as FERPA
Pledge??? & Events???
CDMS plans to implement anti-bullying events
throughout the school year to help establish and
maintain a school climate of respect. If you have
any suggestions for events that may help promote
a safe school united against bullying, please share
them with the administration.
Surviving Bullying
Bullying is an issue in today’s American schools. It
is important to recognize it exists and understand
avenues for ‘surviving’ or reducing bullying.
Taking a proactive approach can help support and
educate our students. Please view the video
below for an inspirational story about how one
community changed the negative cycle of bullying
to save a young man’s life.
Bullied Teen Turned Survivor (CBS News Special Report)
Tips & Tactics
• Always take incidents or reports of bullying seriously
• Help bullied students find and pursue interests or
hobbies to recognize their unique talents
• Consider involving a bullied student in activities outside
of school (Church Youth Group; Volunteer Programs;
Local Clubs; Craft or Art Classes; Music Programs)
• Discuss bullying with students
• Remind students to help / advocate for others
• Emphasize the importance and power of positivity
(Compliments and smiles go a long way!!!)
Resources
• National Centre Against Bullying
@ http://www.ncab.org.au/
• PACER
@ http://www.pacer.org
• Stopbullying.gov @ http://www.stopbullying.gov/
• Stop Bullying Now: Parent resources, tips and strategies
@ http://www.stopbullyingnow.com/index.htm
• Tips for Recognizing and Dealing with Bullying
@ http://www.violencepreventionworks.org/public/bullying_tips_for_parents.page
• Anti-Bullying Tips for Students
@ http://www.kidpower.org/library/article/prevent-bullying/?gclid=CNyj6YTm7bgCFYOe4Aod82AA7g
• Stop a Bully: Anti-Bullying lessons, handouts and media resources
@ http://www.stopabully.ca/bullying-resources/teacher-resources