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BULLYING. A fresh look to an old problem!. Bullying is a major problem in U.S. schools. Bullying is: Common Of increasing concern Too often ignored. Agenda. What is bullying? Who bullies? Who gets bullied? Prevention begins with you Intervention-when bullying happens What not to do
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BULLYING A fresh look to an old problem!
Bullying is a major problem in U.S. schools • Bullying is: • Common • Of increasing concern • Too often ignored
Agenda • What is bullying?Who bullies? • Who gets bullied? • Prevention begins with you • Intervention-when bullying happens • What not to do • Bullying and the law
What is bullying? • Hurtful • Intentional • Imbalance of power • Continual threat
Bullying can be: • Physical • Verbal • Nonverbal/relational • Sexual • Electronic (“cyber bullying”)
Verbal BullyingWords as Weapons • Teasing • Threats • Insults • Notes or graffiti
You may not see it.You may not hear it.But relational bullying is happening all the time. • Exclusion • Isolation • Intimidation
Sexual Bullying • Physical • Verbal • Relational/nonverbal
Cyber Bullying • E-mail • Web sites • Cell phones
Think you know the type? Myths: • Bullies are “loners”. • Bullies have low self-esteem. • Bullies are boys. • Victims are easy to identify.
Common traits of Students who bully: • Impulsiveness • Dominant • Easily frustrated • Break the rules • Lack of empathy • Blame others often
There may be outside factors involved. • Family • Peers
Who is being bullied? • Shy , socially isolated students • Sensitive, insecure • Physically weak (boys) • Low self-esteem • Students with disabilities
Reading the signs • Stays close to adults • Avoids target areas • Frequent absences from school • Declines in school performance • Unhappy
Keys to success • Commitment • Cooperation • Continuing efforts
Work together • Coordinate with other schools in your district • Consistency
Have a school policy: NO BULLYING! • Review • Communicate
Bullying incidents as prevention tools • Report to your principal every time you witness bullying. • Document the situation. • Continue to track and look for patterns of bullying.
Don’t give bullying a chance in your school. • Supervise high risk areas. • There are several “hot spots” they include but are not limited to: Outdoor areas Computers Classroom Cafeteria and busses
More “hot spots”: • Hallways and stair wells • Bathrooms and locker rooms • Recess
What can you do as a teacher or staff member? • Make a class pact with students, the pact could be; “ We will not bully others”, or “ we will include everyone and not leave anyone out”. • Teaching to create a caring climate with values, social skills, and by being a role model. • Teach ways to handle bullying to by teaching students to “walk away” and not bully back. • Encourage students to not show anger or fear, the bully wants to see them upset. • Encourage students to tell a trusted adult.
More ways to prevent: • Explain that standing by and watching bullying happen is almost the same as actually helping the bully. • Get the message across to students by having class meetings, role-playing, creating posters, songs, etc. that promote respect. (Use the 6 pillars of good character)
A little praise goes a long way! • When students behave in a positive way, take notice, every time! (ex. “It was really nice of you to invite Ben to hang out with you and your friends today” • Offer classroom privileges or rewards for the class showing examples of respectful teamwork.
If you witness bullying you should always: • Stop it right away. • State the behavior. • Support the victim. • Involve bystanders. • Give an immediate consequence.
Take reports of bullying serious! • Listen carefully. ( If a parent requests a meeting with you to discuss a situation, always do it ASAP) • Inform the principal. • Investigate the situation. (Talk to both parties involved about what happened)
Bullying and the Law • Code section 22.1-208.01 of Virginia states that Character education in schools is required. • Bullying is a crime when the following occurs; sexual assault, physical assault, theft, and major property damage.
Learn all you can. • www.StopBullyingNow.hrsa.gov • www.nea.org/schoolsafety/bullying.html • www.getnetwise.org
Table Top ExerciseOne: A father calls you and angrily reports something his son just told him: Tow older students have been stealing his lunch money everyday for a month. The father demands that the bullying students be suspended, at least. What would you say and do?