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BULLYING CAN BE STOPPED. Mr. Carl Williams, Assistant Principal Dr. Marilyn Highland, Principal Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences. How it started. Sexuality issues reported Health classes 2/28/11 Increased number of bullying related deaths
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BULLYING CAN BE STOPPED Mr. Carl Williams, Assistant Principal Dr. Marilyn Highland, Principal Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences
How it started • Sexuality issues reported • Health classes 2/28/11 • Increased number of bullying related deaths • Interest on campus with only a few students and their desire to stop bullying • Design of Anti-bullying bracelets on campus • Creation of the Anti-Bullying Committee
Initial Flood of Reporting • After initiating the “Open Reporting” we initially received on average 10 reports per day (for about 2 weeks) • Shared across 5 people: Principal, 2 Assistant Principals, School Counselor, Security Aide • Students showed a certain level of comfort with knowing they could report without feeling intimidated (changed culture)
Reporting Process • Statement of Witness/Subject report • Appointment Request • Can be anonymous • Can be slipped under any teacher’s door or placed into any teacher’s mailbox (will then be turned in to Admin) • Anyone can report • Reports investigated immediately
Bullying? • Nationally, bullying has risen to levels higher than ever, but the word “bullying” cannot be taken for granted • While every report is properly investigated, there are times when it just isn’t bullying • Parents like to hear that there really isn’t bullying as much as they like to hear that a case of bullying has been effectively handled
Dangers of Bullying • Physical = Inferiority • Verbal = Confrontation • Cyber = Confusing Thoughts • Non-verbal = Isolation • Text messaging = Rumors • Any of these can lead to mental bullying which is the most dangerous and leads to depression, injury, or death
Anti-Bullying Committee • Started in March of 2011 • Approximately 75 student committee members (and growing) • 2 student representatives for each grade level • Hold monthly meetings organized and facilitated by representatives • Address relevant and current issues • Decision making body
Communication with Families • Incoming 6th Grade Parent Meeting • Connect Ed • Team News (Online and Hard Copies) • School Newspaper • School Website • PTSS Meetings
City/County Involvement • On Site visits from County Law Enforcement to speak to student body • Assistance from School District (ie: resources we may not have) • Yearly presentation for families with City Law Enforcement, Government Leaders, and Professional Counselors*
Making it Contagious • Our students spread the word that bullying will not be accepted • What started as a staff driven concept has now become student driven • Our families are very well aware of the zero tolerance policy. We constantly receive families to our school who were referred by others due to this fact.
Keys to Success • Positive Promotion • Level of trust and confidence in reporting • Consistency with investigations • Effective Decision Making • Tolerance and acceptance for all • Support from inside and outside sources • Strong consequences when applicable
How do we know it works? • The methods of reporting have been utilized • The level of bullying related incidents have decreased significantly • The reputation in the community of the school has been noted as one with “true” zero tolerance • Other schools have contacted us about anti-bullying measures • Morale of the students and staff has risen
Interesting Facts • The Anti-Bullying Committee started at SSA+S has garnered local and statewide attention including interviews with Fox and ABC News • A Facebook page was put together by our first grade level representative (8th grade) which accumulated 7000 followers in the first week • While the number of reports has risen (approx. 4 per week), the number of referral incidents has dropped (approx. 1 per month)
Contact Information • Dr. Marilyn Highland, Principal (941) 330-1855 ext 204 marilynhighland@ssas.org • Mr. Carl Williams, Assistant Principal (941) 330-1855 ext 202 carlwilliams@ssas.org