WARREN HS “SAFE ZONE” JOIN US TO STOP BULLYING "...Connecting people to a community of learners pursuing the leading edge of possibility."

 WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!  No one group or person can solve this problem on their own.  In order to make Warren High School a “safe zone” we need to transform the silent majority into the “caring majority.” WHY ARE WE DISCUSSING BULLYING WITH YOU?

NATIONAL DATA ON BULLYING 160,000 children miss school every day because of bullying 15 – 20% of all students are victimized by bullies at some point in their school career 71 % of teachers or classroom aides either ignored or did not know about bullying in their classes 20 % of students have reported being victimized by online bullying Bullying is a Problem in Our Nation Did You Know…

 82% say students teasing other students is a problem at our school  71% of students feel they are targeted by bullies because they look or act differently  69% say students physically harming other students is a problem  61% of the students say the school is not doing enough about bullying on campus  40% of the students do not have an adult to go to on campus to talk about bullying  If a student is bullied, there is a 50 % chance it’s at school WARREN DATA ON BULLYING Students are Surveyed about Bullying at Warren High  90% say students spreading rumors at school is a problem

QUESTION: WHY DON’T MORE STUDENTS INTERVENE AT WARREN HS?  MANY WHS STUDENTS DO NOT FULLY UNDERSTAND WHAT BULLYING IS!!  THEY FEEL NO ONE WILL BELIEVE THEM OR IT WILL NOT HELP TO TELL AN ADULT  THEY THINK IT IS NONE OF THEIR BUSINESS  THEY FEAR BECOMING A VICTIM  THEY THINK THE VICTIM DESERVES IT  THEY DO NOT KNOW WHO TO GO TO FOR HELP WHS “SAFE ZONE”

WHAT IS CONSIDERED BULLYING? DEFINITION When a stronger, more dominant person repeatedly hurts, threatens or torments a more vulnerable person. Bullying occurs when there is an obvious imbalance of power between two people. Bullying is an intentional and repeated behavior.

BEHAVIOR OF A BULLY Physically abusive behavior Cyberbullying Spreading rumors or writing nasty things Intentionally excluding others Taking or damaging other students’ possessions Intimidating or threatening others Repeatedly teasing others Persuading peers to reject others WARNING SIGNS Bullies are TAUGHT to bully. A child’s home life, school life, and community and culture (including media) may permit or encourage bullying behavior.

A PERSON WHO IS BULLIED…. Misses a lot of school Has anxiety during class Withdraw s from peers Has unusual sadness Frequently visits the school nurse Has unexplained cuts or bruises Fears walking home or riding the school bus Avoids certain areas on campus Has A decline in academic performance or motivation QUESTION: WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE SOME SIGNS THAT SOMEONE IS BEING BULLIED?

WHO ARE THE BULLIED?  Students with weight issues are the most likely to be bullied  Gay and Lesbian students are 2-3 times more likely to be bullied than their heterosexual classmates Other Targets:  Students who lack appropriate social boundaries  Students who have difficulty with nonverbal communication  Students who do not have the skills for successful conflict resolution  Students who are overly cautious or sensitive

Raymond Chase, 19 Hung himself. Asher Brown, 13 Shot himself. Billy Lucas, 15 Hung himself. Seth Walsh, 13 Hung himself. Tyler Clementi, 18 Jumped off a bridge. Jaheem Herrera, 11 Hung himself. Carl Walker, 11 Hung himself. Lawrence King, 15 Shot at school. STOP BULLYING BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE!!

QUESTION: HOW DO YOU THINK IT FEELS TO BE BULLIED? BEING BULLIED feels scary, embarrassing, maddening, and frustrating. STOP BULLYING: Contact a responsible adult, a teacher, a counselor, or a parent/guardian. GET HELP: Bullying does not stop without the proper support and counseling. APOLOGIZE: It’s never too late to say sorry.

PREVENTION As a bystander, what can I do? Most bystanders want to do something to stop the bullying  WALK AWAY to remove the audience and GET HELP  SPEAK OUT against the bully and encourage others to do the same  GIVE A REASON why the bully is wrong  USE A DISTRACTION to stop the bullying  BEFRIEND THE VICTIM after the incident  NEVER JOIN the bully or “egg on” a bully

WHY ARE BYSTANDERS IMPORTANT?  Bullying most often takes place in front of peers – Bullies like an Audience!!!  50% of the time when a bystander steps in, the bullying stops within 10 seconds  Bullying rarely happens when adults are watching

YOU ARE IN THE WARREN “SAFE ZONE” If you are being bullied at WHS, SPEAK UP! Talk to an adult on campus : Counselors, Teachers, Administration, Security Text/Voic (562) WHS ( )

WANT SOME MORE INFORMATION? Call a Free and Anonymous Anti-Bullying Hotline 1 (800) Visit the Web, Type in “Bullying” Be proactive! Stand up to bullying! Promote caring! Any questions?