Bullying Issues Act 681 of

2003

Northwest Arkansas Child Care Resource & Referral Center614 E. Emma, Suite # 135

Springdale, AR 72764479-751-3463

www.nwachildcare.orgwww.parenting-ed.org

cthornto@jtlshop.jonesnet.org

Carolene Thornton Ed.D

Bullying is

Repeated hurtful behavior by one or

more persons toward another person

or persons

BULLYING Behaviors:

Bullying behavior may include: physical, verbal, written and/or emotional abuse intended to be intimidating threatening harmful to another person.

Bullying occurs whenever one or more persons enjoys using

power to repeatedly and consistently harm

one or more people.

ACT 681In 2003 the 84th General Assembly of the

Arkansas State Legislature enacted House Bill #2274 as Act 681 of 2003 Requires every school to adopt anti-bullying

policies. Requires publishing notice of the policy. Requires mandatory reporting. Recommends staff training. Requires filing of policy with ADE.

Anti-Bullying Policy Required

Every school and school district is required to adopt an anti-bullying policy including:

A definition of bullying, Age appropriate consequences, A plan for publishing the policy, Provide training

Policy to be Posted

Bullying posters and consequences must be posted in every:

Classroom Cafeteria Restroom Gymnasium Auditorium School Bus

Policy Notification

In addition, copies of this policy are to be given to:

Parents Students School Volunteers School Employees

Mandatory Reporting

All school employees must report any incident of bullying.

All incidents of bullying are to be reported to the school principal.

The employee is immune from tort liability.

Training

The local school board may provide opportunities for school employees to participate in programs or other activities designed to develop the knowledge and skills to prevent and respond to acts covered by this policy.

District Required to File

The school district must file a copy of their policies with the Arkansas Department of Education.

The Department of Education must review the policy and may make recommendations for changes or improvements.

To be Considered Bullying:

There must be: Repeated and consistent negative actions.

Imbalance of power between the child who bullies and the target child.

Contrasting feelings between the child who bullies and the target child as a result of the bullying.

4 Types of Bullying

Physical

Verbal

Relational

Cyber-Bullying

PHYSICAL

Physical bullies hurt people and/or damage

property.

VERBAL

Verbal bullies use humiliation and insulting comments

RELATIONAL

Relational bullies (often girls) influence

their peers to reject or exclude another child.

Example:

The movie: Mean Girls

CYBER-BULLYING

Using technology to:* Threaten * Intimidate* Scare* Gossip* Rumor* Demean* Harass

Recent Bully Research

Research suggests

today that bullies

tend to have:

Inflated self esteem

Need to feel powerful

Family history

Who are the Victims?

Research studies have indicated that 1 in every 10 students are regularly harassed or hurt by bullies.

A survey reflected that 87% of the 4th graders responding to a survey had been bullied.

An ‘unscientific’ survey by a local northwest Arkansas educator found similar results.

Anti-Bullying Programs

We encourage all school districts to develop and implement a school-wide bullying program. Some suggested curriculum and books;

Second Step BullyProofing Your Schools The Bully Free Classroom Set Straight on Bullies (video)

How to Identify a Problem

How do you know if bullying is a problem?

Ask the students Perform a survey Have the students write essays Put up a suggestion box Use ‘silent’ complaint forms

MYTHS about Bullying

All bullying is physical. Bullying is just playing around. Bullying is normal peer conflict. Bullying is only a boy’s issue. Bullying has no lasting effects. Bullying behavior is seen only in children. Being bullied toughens you up.

Bullying Bystander: Implied Approval; The Silent Majority

Why do children

allow others to

bully?

Fear of being targeted

Feel helpless

Entertaining

How Bullying Affects the Target Child

Low self-

confidence Fear Depression Revenge

Possible Future Problems for the target child

Academic Problems

Social Isolation

Mental Health Issues

Substance Abuse

Clinical Depression

How does Bullying BehaviorAffect the Bully?

Violence

Manipulation

Low Self Confidence

Projection- psychological defense of one’s own unwanted characteristics.

Possible Future Problemsfor the child who Bullies

Academic Problems

Vocational Difficulties

Social Isolation

Legal Problems

Violence and Crime

Warning Signs that Your Child is the Target of

Bullying

Any change in normal behavior Reluctance to attend school or

peer-centered activities at school.

Unexplainable drop in academic performance

Torn clothing Headaches, stomachaches, or

other unexplainable illnesses. Waking frequently, sleeping

more than normal, or other changes in sleep patterns.

Avoiding peers and social groupings at school.

Avoiding the school cafeteria or playground.

Avoiding extracurricular activities.

Loss of interest in activities formerly enjoyed.

Sad and depressed demeanor. Reluctance to walk to or from

school. Reluctance to talk about what’s

happening at school.

What Teachers of Target Children Can

Do to Help

Teachers must be: Accessible Trustworthy Calm Listen Provide supervision Be supportive Accept the student’s feelings Role play responses Help them determine

possible solutions.

Reporting Bullying

All school employees must report any bullying incidences to the school principal.

School employees cannot be sued for reporting

Practice Brainstorming

Solutions with the Students

When Should Parents Contact the School?

When you’ve worked with him/her at home, but the problem remains serious

when his/her academic performance is failing.

when he/she is physically threatened.

When the child seems to be depressed

Contacting the School

Gather as much information about the bullying episodes as possible.

Schedule a meeting to discuss the problem with the teacher, counselor, and/or administrator.

Develop an action plan.Put the plan into action.Have a follow up meeting to evaluate the action

plan and discuss changes in behavior.

Warning Signs Your Student/Child is a

Bully Enjoys putting down other

people. Doesn’t care whether others’

feelings are hurt. Shows a disrespect for

authority. Shows a fascination with neo-

Nazism or racial supremacy. Shows disrespect for the

opposite sex. Makes jokes about rape or

other violence against women. Enjoys fighting.

Believes “everything should go my way”.

Won’t admit mistakes. Lies frequently to get out of

trouble. Thinks rules are stupid. Deliberately hurts pets or other

animals. Believes other people aren’t to be

trusted. Refuses to admit fear. Uses anger to get what he/she

wants. Has an attitude of superiority

over other children.

What Teachers / Parents of Bullies Can Do?

Teach your child/student to care about others.

Teach your child/student to be a peacemaker.

Teach your child/student to be responsible.

Know when to seek professional help.

Teach Your Students/Child to Care

About Others Ask your children how they

feel. Provide unconditional love. Focus on similarities and

discuss differences between your child and others.

Refuse to laugh at cruel or demeaning jokes.

Be kind. Show kindness to animals. Follow the Golden Rule.

Teach Your Students/Child to be a

Peacemaker

Use respectful discipline techniques.

Use healing words “Thank you” “I love you” “I forgive you”

Teach Your Students/Child to be

Responsible Have a positive attitude. Be a model of honesty at all

times. Provide good supervision. Be cooperative and

supportive. Admit your mistakes. Empower your children to

determine the classroom rules.

Role model good behavior.

Bullying Can be Stopped if We:

Learn to identify the problem Intervene effectivelyBuild self esteem Teach problem-solving skills in children who are

targeted by bullying.Encourage empathy, responsibility, and kindness in

children who bully.Recognize and change insidious social myths about

bullying.Take positive steps that will make more confident,

better-behaved children to build a happier future.

When do You Contact a Therapist?

When you see serious signs of: Depression Anxiety Post-Traumatic Syndrome

When do You Contact the Legal Authorities?

Ask yourself the question:

Has a delinquent act been committed?

Know When to Seek Professional Help

If your child’s serious behavior problems continue despite your best efforts,

professional help may be necessary

Encourage parents to contact a: Psychologist

Social Worker Psychiatrist

Feel Safe and Secure

Every student/child has a right to a safe school.

Free to learn without threats, aggression or intimidation.