Mountain View Elementary – Prince William County Schools Professional School Counselors Donna Cole, M.Ed Sarah Tracy, MA

Today you will: Get proven RAMP data driven ideas for your program Learn how to make students feel safe and respected at school Learn to help students reach their fullest potential See where character building and bully prevention really tie in to enhance student success Leave today with ideas that will cover you in the school year from beginning to end

Bully Prevention and Character These two programs go hand in hand to provide an environment and atmosphere for student success and safety. Our goal is to provide resources to staff, students, and parents to promote an optimal learning environment without interrupting instruction. Both programs are based upon data collected varies ways Student Surveys Parent Surveys Olweus Surveys, etc.

Way back in the beginning… Bully prevention is not a new concept, we all know a lot about it. Most every school has some form of a bully prevention program happening. We would like to share what has work effectively at our school over the past four years based on data driven results.

Olweus Bully Prevention Program – Highlights What it is What it is not Universal (a school-wide effort) Systems-oriented AND individual-oriented Preventive AND problem- solving Focused on changing norms and behavior Research-based NOT time-limited: Requires systematic efforts over time A curriculum A conflict resolution approach A peer mediation program An anger management program The Olweus Bullying Prevention Group 2004

Crucial Components of a Bully Prevention Program Classroom Individual School-wide Community 3 Keys to Success Regular Class Meetings Entire Staff Involvement Empowered Bystanders Fits into our school behavior management program. Staff Training

Classroom Components Post Olweus Bully definition and rules in every classroom, specialists area and hallways Post Olweus Bully definition and rules in every classroom, specialists area and hallways Hold regular classroom meetings Supply bibliography, books, and videos Take A Bite Out Of Bullying / Excellent Resource Take A Bite Out Of Bullying Class Meeting Ideas Class meeting outline Classroom Bully Pledge Informal monthly survey to keep a regular pulse on those who may not share any other way Counselor available to help with and facilitate class meetings – on occasion Bully Circle Role-Plays Class meetings with student on particular buses with behavior problems to work on strategies for improvement.

Individual Components To empower every student with the skills and strategies to ensure safety and security from bullying Bug and A Wish De –Bug Steps “I feel” statements Referral slips to counselor Concern box in the classroom Access to staff members Stick Up For Yourself Side 1 Stick Up For Yourself Side 2 Shared by Debra Gaeta – PWCS – From Blue Cheese Breath and Stinky Feet Follow up discussion with children who are bullied Follow up discussion with children who bully On the spot intervention

School-wide Components Assemblies Miss Virginia Jedlie/Bully Free is the Choice for Me Everyone Belongs Spirit Bully Prevention/Character Shirts Monthly Character Building Activities (see attachments later) Kick Off Event Snack/Picnic T-Shirts 2008 – 2009 T-Shirts Announcements Class Representatives Bingo Night Best on The Bus Award Behavior Criteria - MVES Behavior Criteria Bus Driver Feedback Cafeteria Behavior Improvement Program Student Posters/Essays Celebrations Increased Supervision in Hot Spots/On the Spot Interventions Monthly Staff Discussions Bully Pledge Another Bully PledgeBully Pledge Pencils and Magnets Bulletin Boards Teacher Questionnaire Mediators

Community Components Business Partnerships (Award Winning) Shirt Sponsors Bully Prevention Posters displayed at business and at school Newsletters and updates on website Parent Workshops (Consortium) Bully Prevention 101 – For Parents Bully Prevention 101 Parent Committee Members

Character Development Six Pillars of Character Respect Responsibility Caring Fairness Trustworthiness Citizenship

Character Development Committee meetings with staff representatives from each grade level – monthly Character Videos Assemblies Primary Focus Announcements/Character Pledge daily Character of the Month Character Counts Poster Contest Activity ideas to enhance the character of the month These are established at the beginning of each school year Random Acts of Kindness Involve parents Behavior Form – Mountain View Form Behavior Form Spirit wear on Fridays Character Paws Awards Student Plan For Success Character Checklist Career Day Speakers Addressing character in the workplace Student character committee (grades 3 – 5) Class Meeting once a month focus on the monthly character All these fit into classroom schedules without interfering with academics

Respect Ideas No naming calling week No naming calling/gossip – incentive meeting a class goal Fill Your Bucket – Bully Free is the Way to Be Recognition for good manners by specialists Certificates awarded for good manners – names are drawn weekly Monthly survey to keep a pulse on safety/well-being of our students–by classroom Accepting differences in others Get a pulse survey monthly on respect and bully prevention

Responsibility Ideas Class can set a goal – class celebration when reached Completing homework Getting papers signed Quiet in halls Mentors for kids that have needs in responsibility area Chain links towards responsibility Coupons for parents to fill in for responsibility at home Rights and Responsibilities - MVES Rights and Responsibilities Contracts with the Professional School Counselor Responsibility at home

Citizenship Ideas Recognize hero helpers Food drive Veteran’s Day Project Bulletin board thanking/remembering Veterans for their service Young Heroes Group Care/Respect for the flag Forms sent home to parent to return and display at school _____ was caught being a citizen at home or in the community because… Parent workshop – Developmental Assets Covers all character areas

Caring Ideas Often done in February Random Acts of Kindness Cards for children in hospital Cards for children in shelters Cards for elderly Cards for military Bulletin Board/Announcements Mix it up day/sit with someone you don’t normally sit with Secret Agents – from Marco – Great Resource

Fairness Ideas Sportsmanship Playground rules Game Day Field Day – emphasizing fairness and sportsmanship Essays Hush puppy day Specific rules for games posted in class

Trustworthiness Ideas Essays Plays Reproducibles Heroes in History What should you do?? Detectives – find trustworthy classmates

DATA Presentation – Closing the Gap Presentation Bully Prevention Survey data results prior to implementation of Olweus 2005 at MVES Bully Prevention Survey data Developmental Assets Parent Program Feedback Olweus Data MVES vs. National Comparison Official Feedback from the company

Great Resources for YOU! Class Meetings That Matter: A Year’s Worth of Resources for K-5 Hazelden.org Dan Olweus, Ph.D & al Counseling On the Wall, Rosanne Sheritz Sarori 2009, Marco Products Blue Cheese Breath and Stinky Feet: How to Deal With Bullies, Catherine DePino, Magination Press, One, Kathryn Otoshi, Publishers Group West, Character and Bully Prevention Games from Marco My Secret Bully and Trouble Talk – Trudy Ludwig Conquering Bullies, Marianne Vandawalker – Marco Products Stand Up Against Bullies, Rosanne Sheritz Sarori, Marco Products See A Bully, Stop A Bully, Sunburst I Didn’t Know I Was A Bully, Melissa Richards, Marco Products Quit It: A Teacher’s Guide on Teasing and Bullying for Use with Students in Grades K – 5, Merle Forschl & al. Education Equity Concepts, Inc, Creatures of Character, K-1, 2-3, 4-5, Charlene C. Cali & Wanda L. Fernandez, Marco Products.

Did we/you?? Give you new data driven ideas for your program? Learn any new ideas to make students feel safe and respected at school? See where character building and bully prevention really tie in to enhance student success? Leave today with any new ideas/resources for your program? COMPLETE EVAULATION IS YOUR TICKET FOR A COMPLIMENTARY COPY THE ENTIRE PRESENTATION WHICH INCLDES NUMEROUS RESOURCES

Donna Cole Sarah Tracy