Schools Where Everyone Belongs: Practical Strategies for Reducing Bullying Ms. Patrice Davis Intervention Supervisor

Why Focus on Bullying? Troubling Answers From ResearchIncreased acts of school violence are linked to bullying (Sullivan, 2004).A class and a school with a bullying culture will make significantly less academic progress than a comparable bully-free group (Cleary, 2001).Addressing bullying actually increases student achievement by reducing fear in students (Feinstein, 2004).Pepler (1998) found that two-thirds of students in schools believe that schools respond poorly, infrequently, or ineffectively to bullying incidents.Bullies are more likely to participate in risky behaviors such as drinking, drug use, and smoking (Journal of the American Medical Association, 2001).

Why Focus on Bullying?Troubling Answers from ResearchGirls report that emotional bullying is as damaging psychologically as physical bullying (Galen, 1997).Students are less likely to intervene in bullying situations in schools that tolerate bullying (Jeffry, 2001).In an extensive study of middle and high school students who identified the three worst things to ever happen to them in their life, the death of a parent was first followed by bullying (Lind, 1996).Strong links exist between school bullying and future domestic abuse (Cullingford, 1997).

Why Focus on Bullying?Troubling Answers from Research A 2001 survey by the Center for the Prevention of School Violence found that 39% of parents feared for their childs safety at school. A survey of middle school students conducted by i-Safe America found that:35% had been threatened online42% had been bullied online58% had not told a parent or an adult about being bullied online

Why Focus on Bullying?Troubling Answers from Research Research reveals the location that bullying takes place varies widely (Harris, 2000)Classroom 83%Lunchroom75%Going to school 30%Coming home39%Extra-curricular 64%Initiation into50%events clubs/teams Research reveals various forms of bullying behavior (Harris, 2000)Name calling 75% Hit/Kicked46%Teasing 62% Being left out 67%Threatened 42% of activities

The ABCs of Bullying PreventionBullying is a pervasive school problem that can have serious consequences for students.Fortunately, its a problem that schools can do something about.

#1 Focus on the Environment What is required to reduce bullying in schools is a change in the school climate and in the norms for behavior.This requires a comprehensive, school-wide effort involving the entire school community.

#2 Assess Bullying at Your SchoolAdminister an anonymous survey to studentsBenefits of a survey:Findings may help to motivate staff and/or parents to address the issueFindings will help to target specific interventionsFindings will provide important baseline data from which to measure improvement

#3 Seek Out Support for Bullying Prevention Early and enthusiastic support from the principal is critical.Commitment from a majority of classroom teachers is important. Teachers who are committed to bullying prevention are more likely to fully implement programs.

#4 Form a Group to Coordinate Efforts Should be representative of the school community:AdministratorTeacher from each gradeCounselorNon-teaching staff (e.g. bus driver)School-based health professionalParentCommunity member

#5 Train All Staff AdministratorsAll teachersHealth & mental healthprofessionals Support staffCustodiansBus driversLunchroom supervisorsPlayground aides

#6 Establish & Enforce School Rules and PoliciesMany schools do not have explicit rules against bullying.Rules should guide the behavior of children who bully AND children who witness bullying.Follow up with positive and negative consequences.

#7 Increase Adult SupervisionFocus on hot spots for bullying that are identified by students.All adults in a school community should be vigilant to bullying.

#8 Intervene Consistently and Appropriately Are all adults prepared to intervene appropriately on-the-spot, whenever they observe bullying?Do we have a plan for follow-up interventions with children who bully, for those who are victims of bullying, or for the parents?

#9 Focus Classroom Time on Bullying PreventionSet aside a small amount of time eachweek.Discuss bullying and peer relations. Use videos, story books, role-playing, artistic expression.Integrate bullying prevention throughout the curriculum.

How Can Schools Promote an Anti-Bullying Message School web sites can offer accurate and appropriate information regarding bullying for students, staff, and parents. They can be used to set forth expectations for how bullying will be addressed at school. Student newspapers can be used to deliver a series of anti-bullying articles that can help educate students and help keep the anti-bullying message alive.Leadership classes can integrate bullying information to help promote the power of peers to establish an anti-bullying expectation.

How Can Schools Promote an Anti-Bullying Message Suggestion boxes are an anonymous way to report incidents of bullying at school.Adult mentors can be trained as safe contacts. Students can report bullying problems or ask for help and advice for themselves or others from these mentors. Student handbooks, planners, or calendars can be designed to promote an anti-bullying message and offer tips for asking for help for self or others.

How Can Schools Promote an Anti-Bullying Message Marques or message boards can be used to promote anti-bullying messages and a call to action.School mascots and mottos can be used to promote messages and expectations for the respect, value, and safety of all students.

Available Programs to Address BullyingALCAP (Alabama Citizens Action Program)Offers four violence prevention modules Anger ManagementConflict ResolutionViolence Prevention in SchoolPrevention of Bullying at School The LighthousePreK & KThe Second Step ProgramK-2nd gradeThe Wise Owl Bully Stopper Kit3rd-6th gradeThe Bully Proof Kit 6th-12th gradeSafe Dates

Available Programs to Address Bullying Get Real About Violencelessons in this program are designed to:Address a wide range of violencefrom bullying, teasing, and rumors at early ages to threats and assaults that can occur in later yearsTeach social skills to resist pressures, and manage anger and cope with stressFocus on bonding to school, community, peers, and familyBuild core elements of characterTarget the attitudes and behaviors that underline violence

Available Programs to Address Bullying Too Good for Violence Teaches students positive attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. It promotes a caring approach to violence prevention by teaching conflict resolution, anger management, respect for self and others, and effective communication. Connect With Kids (DVDs) Invisible WeaponsSilent WitnessSticks and Stones

Available Programs to Address Bullying Trevor Romain DVD seriesBullies are a Pain in the BrainNet SmartzAn interactive, educational safety resource from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and Boys and Girls Clubs of America for children aged 5-17.It uses age-appropriate, 3-D activities to teach children how to stay safe on the Internet.

Available Programs to Address Bullying Peer Helpers/Peer Mentors/Conflict ManagersBCHSDPHFLYHGFSHRBDERBDHSPFHSMDWJCFLYMBaldwin County Sheriffs OfficeDeputy Jeff Spaller, School Resource Officer

Counselor In-services Winter Counselors In-service (January 2009)Mr. Bill Parsons, Asst. Superintendent for Operations, Troup County School System (La Grange, GA) Proven Research Based Strategies to Bully-Proof Your Kids and Your School Fall Counselors In-service (October 2009)Mr. Brent Cosby, Laurel Oaks Behavioral Health CenterAnti-Bullying ProgramWinter Counselors In-service (January 2010)Deputy Jeff Spaller, School Resource Officer, Baldwin County Sheriffs OfficeClassroom Ideas to Slow Down the Bully

Website Go to www.bcbe.org Click on Instructional SupportClick on School Counseling/Intervention Click on Bullying

RememberEffective bullying prevention programs should have no end date. Instead, bullying prevention activities should be woven into the entire school environment. They should become a part of the life of your school.Therefore, ongoing staff development is important to sustain bullying prevention programs.

Together, students, staff, and parents. Taking a stand against bullying to promote safe, respectful, nurturing learning communities.