No Name Calling Week: Promoting Tolerance Through a School-Wide Social Justice Initiative

1. No Name Calling Week: Promoting Tolerance Through a School-Wide Social Justice Initiative Lauren Ayers, Molly Bright, and Lindsey Hiemstra

2. Identifying the Problem Bullying is a prevalent problem in our schools today. An estimated 30% of students nationwide have engaged in bullying behavior or have been bullied by others. That�s 5.7 million youth (Feinberg, 2003). *This is from the most recent national bullying survey that was conducted. *More recent studies are estimating that 77% of students report being bullied *Cyberbullying is the highest increasing form of bullying. In 2005 33% of students reported being harassed through cyberbullying *Students who are bullied are 5 times more likely to be depressed *This is from the most recent national bullying survey that was conducted. *More recent studies are estimating that 77% of students report being bullied *Cyberbullying is the highest increasing form of bullying. In 2005 33% of students reported being harassed through cyberbullying *Students who are bullied are 5 times more likely to be depressed

3. Identifying the Problem Bullying is commonly defined as �the exposure of a student, repeatedly and over time, to intentional injury or discomfort inflicted by one or more other students� (Felix, & Furlong, 2008, p. 1280). Bullying also implies an imbalance of power.

4. Identifying the Problem Direct bullying - teasing, threatening, taunting, hitting and stealing Indirect bullying - social isolation, spreading rumors, and intentional exclusion, relational aggression Harassment, intimidation, slurs, rumors, jokes, hurtful comments, drawings, cartoons, pranks, gestures, physical attacks, threats or other written comments. Harassment, intimidation, slurs, rumors, jokes, hurtful comments, drawings, cartoons, pranks, gestures, physical attacks, threats or other written comments.

5. Statement of the Problem 3rd-6th grade students at Meadowdale Elementary took the Student Bullying Prevention Survey in the Spring of 2007/2008 This survey gave students the opportunity to report when, where, and how bullying was occurring at their school This was administered via Survey Monkey. Each class took the survey during their regularly scheduled library time in the computer lab. The librarian read the questions aloud so that all students could access the survey regardless of their reading abilitiesThis was administered via Survey Monkey. Each class took the survey during their regularly scheduled library time in the computer lab. The librarian read the questions aloud so that all students could access the survey regardless of their reading abilities

6. Statement of the Problem

7. Statement of the Problem A follow up survey was done and the most common forms of name calling included comments about who they were friends with and sexual orientation (�gay�, �lesbian�)A follow up survey was done and the most common forms of name calling included comments about who they were friends with and sexual orientation (�gay�, �lesbian�)

8. Statement of the Problem

9. Potential Barriers Since bullying is such a prevalent problem in school, the biggest barrier is how to make an impact at the school-wide level as well as at the district-wide/systems level. *Often work is done at the individual level as issues come up. NNCW is a way to develop a positive school climate in the school and is also a preventative measure.

10. Research Focus Bullying is a big issue to tackle, but starting small is a step in the right direction. Speak to my reasons for starting this week based on an advocacy project that I needed to complete for school.Speak to my reasons for starting this week based on an advocacy project that I needed to complete for school.

11. No Name Calling Week NNCW was created by the Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) and Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing based on the novel The Misfits by James Howe Launched in 2004 The Misfits tells the story of four best friends who grow tired of the constant teasing in their middle school, and decide to run for student council on a �No Name-Calling� platform. *There are over 40 national partnering organizations * There are over 6,800 registered participants on NNCW website The Misfits tells the story of four best friends who grow tired of the constant teasing in their middle school, and decide to run for student council on a �No Name-Calling� platform. *There are over 40 national partnering organizations * There are over 6,800 registered participants on NNCW website

12. No Name Calling Week The project seeks to focus national attention on the problem of name-calling in schools, and to provide students and educators with the tools and inspiration to launch an on-going dialogue about ways to eliminate name-calling in their communities. National No Name Calling Week January 25th-29th 2010

13. NNCW Prep Presentation at beginning of the year staff meeting Several meetings w/principal, counselor, and librarian to come up with ideas for activities and to plan coordination of the week. Talk about connection to Read Across America WeekTalk about connection to Read Across America Week

14. NNCW Prep Submitted article about NNCW to Meadowdale Elementary parent newsletter Gathered input from teachers about preferred activities Final list of activities were sent out to staff by email and again the day before each activity

15. No Name Calling WeekMeadowdale Elementary

16. NNCW Activities Mon.- Wall of Kindness Tues.- Pledge Banner/Creative Expressions Contest Weds.- Literature Readings and Guided Discussions Thurs.- Mix It Up Lunch Fri.- Handful of Compliments and All-School Assembly

17. Wall of Kindness

18. Pledge Banner

19. Creative Expressions Contest *GLSEN hosts a national Creative Expressions contest*GLSEN hosts a national Creative Expressions contest

20. Mix-It Up Lunch

21. Handful of Compliments

22. Second Year Expansion Included information for parents in the monthly parent newsletter What to do if your child is being bullied How to talk with the school staff about your child Character Matters Play Morning Announcements Separate pledge banner for Primary Distributed additional lessons ideas to teachers Linked with MLK Jr. Day *Daily announcements- statistics, tips for what to do, defining bullying, bystander, etc. *Included quotes with MLK Jr. *Daily announcements- statistics, tips for what to do, defining bullying, bystander, etc. *Included quotes with MLK Jr.

23. Martin Luther King Jr. Quotes �Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.� �Life's most urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?� "Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.� �In the end we will remember, not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.� � �The time is always right to do what is right.� 

24. Data Analysis Annually, the 3rd-6th grade students will complete the Meadowdale Elementary Student Bullying Prevention Survey. *In Spring of 2008/2009 school year, a parent survey was added to gather data from the school to home perspective* These surveys will give some insight as to how effective the message and activities of NNCW are received each year by both the students and parents. In addition, surveys will provide information on how we are doing with a school-wide prevention plan, ways to change the NNCW activities, eliminate barriers that may come up, and create a collaboration between the home and school.In addition, surveys will provide information on how we are doing with a school-wide prevention plan, ways to change the NNCW activities, eliminate barriers that may come up, and create a collaboration between the home and school.

25. Pre-Post Test All 6th grade students Administered a 13 question True/False test the week prior to NNCW Followed up at the end of NNCW Showed some improvement in student knowledge�avg. 2% pt increase per question Take aways: Focus on clear message and repeat throughout week Find other way to communicate info

26. Feedback From Teachers *5th/6th grade unit decided to create their own pledge banner to put in the unit�s flex area *�I loved the Pledge---I did more with it in my class after we signed the banner---felt like it needed more emphasis and attention whole school wide, especially re: the meaning of the words and what we were really promising when we signed it.�

27. Feedback From Teachers *�I loved the handful of compliments...I paired the kids up randomly and emphasized that they might even be paired up with someone who was not their favorite person in class---then---joke's on me---because of an uneven # of kids, my name was drawn with one of my least favorite students and I had to come up with positive things to say about him. :)�

28. Feedback From Teachers *�If we do it again next year...I'd like materials and agenda the week before so I can thoughtfully plan it into my days the week of. Because we really have to teach math and reading, our time is rather limited to put in some of the activities.� Talk about how we made this change including more advanced notice and alternative activities and lesson plansTalk about how we made this change including more advanced notice and alternative activities and lesson plans

29. Feedback From StudentsWhen students were asked what they liked about NNCW, they said� *That we talked about good manners *That no one called people names and was being a bully *People have changed�they�ve learned to be nice *People aren�t calling us names anymore *Wall of kindness *Pajama day *Pledge�signed the pledge/promise *Made bricks *Got to read about being kind to one another

30. Barriers Lack of interest Resources Time Teacher refusal

31. Overcoming Barriers Use data to get buy-in Identify and develop key alliances Obtain administrator buy-in Communicate! Daily notices, reminders, etc. Provide materials Bricks, pledge banner, sign up sheets Make it fun! Make it your own! Provide alternatives. The idea is that everyone do something intentional every day related to the theme. Provide alternatives. The idea is that everyone do something intentional every day related to the theme.

32. How to Keep the Momentum Keep talking about it! Kids, staff, parents� Encourage others to participate Personal goals Put it on the calendar Obtain feedback *Talking-from beginning of year. In staff meetings, with principal, with students in counseling sessions. Use as learning moments (remember what we talked about in NNCW?) *Talk to staff about how they can incorporate into their personal goals and objectives at the beginning of the year *Decided on a week early and put it on the calendar so everyone knows it is coming *Feedback-about the pledge banner (added one) and Variety of activities to use- provided *Talking-from beginning of year. In staff meetings, with principal, with students in counseling sessions. Use as learning moments (remember what we talked about in NNCW?) *Talk to staff about how they can incorporate into their personal goals and objectives at the beginning of the year *Decided on a week early and put it on the calendar so everyone knows it is coming *Feedback-about the pledge banner (added one) and Variety of activities to use- provided

33. Team Up! Events: National No Name Calling Week January 25th-29th 2010 Read Across America Martin Luther King Jr. Day

34. Testimonials from Teachers Librarian- It was eye opening all of the things the kids were sharing The kids loved it I had a substitute call me and tell me how impressed she was by what a compassionate program we have here PE Teacher- It seemed like a natural fit for the things we do in PE. Great opportunity to emphasize sportsmanship and teamwork. Music Teacher- Having the music program participate in NNCW activities created a powerful impact on student understanding not only for the performers but also the rest of the student body who watched the play

35. Grant Funding Edmonds Public School Foundation Grant Supports creative classroom grants that empowers students and teachers to explore new ideas. Idea grants are awarded to a group of teachers or a principal for innovative projects that impact several classes or the entire school. Obtained $340 for 2 kits and materials

36. NNCW Kit 27-minute video No Name-Calling: Creating Safe Environments A resource guide with program information, lesson plans, resource lists, and other curricular material Copy of The Misfits, a novel by James Howe Two Packs of No Name Calling Stickers (60) $129.95

37. NNCW Complementing a School-Wide Bullying Prevention Program Clear anti-bullying policy articulated in student/parent handbook Second Step curriculum taught in primary grades Steps to Respect curriculum taught in Intermediate grades School newsletter articles related to bullying Student and parent bullying prevention surveys

38. NNCW Complementing a School-Wide Bullying Prevention Program cont�d Taproot Theater Performances related to bullying prevention Open Door Theatre Performances related to personal safety Class meetings/advisory Intentional teaching related to social emotional skills Respect, responsibility, cooperation, problem-solving/decision making reflection/self-awareness, and recognizing students students for growth in these areas

39. Article in School Counselor Magazine Read feedback from School Counselor on the East CoastRead feedback from School Counselor on the East Coast

40. Free Resources Online http://www.nonamecallingweek.org/cgi-bin/iowa/all/resources/index.html Planning documents Lesson plans Elementary, Middle and High School Art Lessons Posters, Poems, Dioramas Promotional Items Stickers, Posters, Logos