bullying and harassment what we know and what we can do…. jollee patterson, general counsel tammy...

Bullying and Harassment

What We know and

What We Can Do….

Jollee Patterson, General CounselTammy Jackson, Sr Program Manger

Portland Public School District

Objectives for Today

Learn about best practices for establishing a safe school culture and minimizing bullying 

Review the new Anti-Harassment Administrative Directive

Receive resources to support you in this work and

Receive guidance on how to effectively respond when bullying does occur

Bullying and Harassment

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure

“Bullying fosters a climate of fear and disrespect that can seriously impair the physical and psychological health of its victims and create conditions that negatively affect learning, thereby undermining the ability of students to achieve their full potential.”

Reference United Sates Department of Education Office of Civil Rights memo 10/26/11

Scope of the Problem

Bullying happens once every 7 minutes.The average bullying episode lasts 37

seconds.Teachers noticed and intervened in only 1

out of 25 episodes (4% of the time)Bullying commonly increases between the

third and seventh grades. (Committee for Children, 2005)

“I Feel Safe at School”

6th grade- 15% said “NO”

8th grade- 15% said “NO”

11th grade- 19% said “NO”

Oregon Wellness Survey (2010)

Harassed on the way to, at or from school-– 35% of 8th graders– 23% of 11th grader

I Can talk freely and openly with my teachers about my concerns-– 30% of 6th graders say, “NO”– 44% of 8th graders say, “NO”– 47% of 11th graders say, “NO”

Where Does Bullying Occur?

The most common places where bullying takes place:– School yard or playground (74% of victims)– Hallways (53% of victims)– Cafeteria (45% of victims)– At home or on computer (cyberbullying)But it could be different for your school….

What does your data say?!!

Challenges for Schools

Although common and frequent, most

bullying and harassment behaviors are

exhibited outside of adult supervision.

Bullying Definition

Bullying is unfair and one-sided. It happens when someone keeps hurting, frightening, threatening or leaving someone out on purpose.

Reference: Steps to Respect

Harassment

“Creates a hostile environment when conduct is sufficiently severe, pervasive, or persistent so as to interfere with or limit a student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities.”

Reference United Sates Department of Education Office of Civil Rights memo 10/26/11

Key Elements Bullying Harassment

Imbalance of power

Intent to cause harm; deliberate, non-accidental

Acts are repeated – show a pattern

Vulnerability of victim

Is an imbalance of power but does not require:

An intent to harm

Repeated incidents

A specific target

Direct Bullying

Hitting, kicking, shoving, spitting…

Taunting, teasing, racial slurs, verbal harassment

Threatening, obscene gestures

Indirect Bullying

Getting another person to bully someone for you

Spreading rumors, gossipDeliberately excluding someone from

a group or activityMany forms of Cyberbullying

Why Some Children Bully Others

1. If a behavior works, it is repeated2. Students don’t know how else to influence peers3. They don’t realize that their behavior is inappropriate-

poor modeling (Jack in the Box)4. Errors in thinking5. Bullying meets a need. Rewards for bullying behaviors:

Social attention Social recognition Social status

What Does Work!

Myths About What Works

Zero tolerance policiesConflict resolution and peer mediationGroup treatment for children who bullySimple, short-term solutions

(piece meal)

A Positive Climate is the Best Prevention

Academic Systems Behavioral Systems

1-5% 1-5%

5-10% 5-10%

80-90% 80-90%

Intensive, Individual Interventions•Individual Students•Assessment-based•High Intensity

Intensive, Individual Interventions•Individual Students•Assessment-based•Intense, durable procedures

Targeted Group Interventions•Some students (at-risk)•High efficiency•Rapid response

Targeted Interventions•Some students (at-risk)•High efficiency•Rapid response•Individual or Group

Universal Interventions•All students•Preventive, proactive

Universal Interventions•All settings, all students•Preventive, proactive

Designing School-Wide Systems for Student Success

Bullying Prevention

Bullying Prevention

Bullying Prevention

School Wide Bullying PreventionCreate a school climate based on mutual respect

• Make bullying prevention part on the work of the climate team

• Establish clear rules/procedures/ policies about bullying.

““Be Respectful” applies to students Be Respectful” applies to students and adults in the buildingand adults in the building!”

Comprehensive Bullying Prevention

Physical considerations- e.g playground?Increase effective supervisionTeach specific skills to all studentsTrain adults to respond sensitively & consistently

to bullying.Enforcing consistent consequences for bullyingImprove parental awareness & involvement in

working on the problem.

Teaching Personal and Social Responsibility

Teach school-wide expectations first– Be respectful– Be responsible– Be safe

Focus on “non-structured” settingsCafeteria, Gym, Playground, Hallway, Bus Area

Use same teaching format for all situationsIf someone directs problem behavior toward you.If you see others receive problem behaviorIf someone tells you to “stop”

Clear Expectations and Consequences for Bullying

Should be preplanned Clearly explained to studentsIntervene promptlyCoaching or Specific Skills instructionHierarchy of consequences

– Reprimands or warnings– Loss of privileges– Think Time– Call to parent

Resources for Teaching Skills

Steps to Respect (Committee for Children)

Middle School Second Step (Committee for Children)

Bully Blockers (Tough Kid Series, Pacific Northwest Publishing)

PBIS Bullying Prevention

See handout for more resources

www.pbis.org

Activity

In your grouping you will need a note taker

Discuss elements of effective bullying and harassment prevention that you have in your school (5 minutes)

Share out with large group (5 minutes)

PPS Administrative Directive4.30.061-AD

• Notice (Signs) in buildings • Use evidence-based school-wide and

classroom management strategies • School-wide student notification• Forbids retaliation• Respect for differences• Electronic forms of harassment• Incidents should be promptly investigated.

Reporting Procedures

Student reports harassment or bullying (anonymous reports OK but need corroborating evidence for discipline) – How are students to report…to whom?– How will you create an opportunity for

anonymous reporting? Principal shall ensure investigation (define

your building process for investigation) Unsatisfied complaints are referred to the

Complaint Porcedures.

Activity

Read the scenario on the back of the Agenda

In your group, generate your collective response to the question: What should you do? (suggestion…take notes)

Large group share out

Bullying prevention is part of a comprehensive, ongoing school-wide and community effort to create a positive and safe school climate.

Take Away!Take Away!

Thank you!