Bullying Definition Bullying occurs when someone repeatedly and on purpose says or does mean or hurtful things to another person who has a hard time defending himself or herself. 1

Four Markers of Bullying 1.An imbalance of power 1.Intent to harm 1.Threat of further aggression 1.When bullying escalates unabated -- terror 2

Two Types of Bullying -Direct – hitting, taunting, name calling -Indirect – rumors, exclusion, cyberbullying 3

Warning Signs of Bullying at Home 1.Refuses to go to school 2.Takes an unusual route to school 3.Suffers drop in grades 4.Withdraws from family and school activities 5.Is hungry after school 6.Steals money from home 7.Makes a beeline to the bathroom when arriving home 8.Is sad, sullen, angry, or scared after receiving a phone call or 9.Does something out of character 10.Has torn or missing clothes 11.Uses derogatory or demeaning language when talking about peers 12.Stops talking about peers and everyday activities 13.Has physical injuries not consistent with explanation 14.Has stomachaches, headaches, panic attacks, is unable to sleep, sleeps too much, is exhausted 15.Plays alone, or prefers to hang with adults 4

Warning Signs of Bullying at School 1.Shows an abrupt lack of interest in school 2.Is reluctant to go to recess or use the bathroom 3.Is anxious when it’s time to go home or take the bus 4.Suffers drop in grades 5.Withdraws from school activities 6.Does something out of character 7.Has torn or missing clothes 8.Uses derogatory or demeaning language when talking about peers 9.Has physical injuries not consistent with explanation 10.Has stomachaches, headaches, panic attacks, is exhausted 11.Plays alone, or prefers to hang with adults 5

Why Don’t Kids Report Bullies? 1.They are ashamed of being bullied 2.They are afraid of retaliation 3.They don’t think anyone can help them 4.They don’t think anyone will help them 5.They’ve bought into the lie that bullying is a necessary part of growing up 6.They might believe that adults are part of the lie – they too bully 7.They have learned that “ratting” on a peer is bad, not cool. 6

Effects of Being Bullied -Lowered self-esteem -Depression & anxiety -Absenteeism & lowered school achievement -Thoughts of suicide -Illness 7

Effects of Bullying on Bystanders Bystanders may feel: - Afraid - Powerless to change the situation - Guilty for not acting - Diminished empathy for victims over time 8

Effects of Bullying on School Climate - Creates a climate of fear and disrespect - Interferes with student learning - Students may feel insecurity and not like school as well - Students may perceive lack of control/caring 9

Staff Role - Mandatory Reporting - reasonable cause to believe or reliable evidence - Hearsay is okay - Purpose is to protect students - Discussion of school values - Full cooperation is expected - Immunity under c.258 for reports - Participation in professional development required - IEP modifications as needed for ASD and other special needs 10

Bullying Myths -Ignore it and it will go away. - If you only stood up for yourself… - It’s something the victim did. - Boys will be boys, girls will be girls. - Bullying toughens you up. - It’s part of life. Accept it. - Only wimps get bullied. - Those who get bullied are overly sensitive. 11

Why Address Bullying in Schools? 1.For students and their futures 2.For a healthy school climate 3.For the larger community 4.For the purposes of risk management for schools 5.It’s a wise investment 12

When There Are Suspicions of Bullying -Intensify your observations of the child - Talk to your building administrator - Confer with colleagues - Talk to and survey students - Collect information from students - Contact parents 13

Kids Who Tend To Get Bullied -Children with disabilities, special needs, and health problems -Children who are obese -Children who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or who are questioning their identities 14

What Bullies Do -Have positive attitudes toward violence - Be impulsive and have quick tempers - Show little empathy for victims - Be aggressive to adults - Be involved in other antisocial or rule-breaking activities - Be physically stronger than peers (boys) - Don’t overlook the sneaky ‘good kids’ 15

Teachable Moments 1.Stop the bullying 1.Support student who has been bullied 1.Name bullying behavior and refer to school rules 1.Engage the bystanders 1.Impose immediate and appropriate consequences 1.Take steps to ensure bullied student will be protected from future bullying 16

Cyberbullying Bullying through the use of technology, or any electronic communication, which includes, but is not limited to: Any transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data, or intelligence of any nature transmitted by electronic mail, internet communications, or instant message. 17

Cyberbullying Includes the creation of a web page or blog in which the creator assumes the identity of another person or The knowing impersonation of another person as the author of posted content or messages if the impersonation created bullying or The distribution of electronic means of communication to more than one person if the impersonation created bullying 18

It’s Cyberbullying If… - Causes physical or emotional harm to the target or damage to the target’s property. - Places the target in reasonable fear of harm to himself or property. - Creates a hostile environment at school for the target. - Infringes on the rights of the target. - Substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of the school. 19

Educate About Cyberbullying 1.Kids think electronic information is private. They don’t understand the permanent and public nature of the Internet. 2.Kids share passwords & user names freely. 3.Kids (and some adults) have a compulsive need to stay in touch. 4.Kids are not born with critical thinking skills about the Internet. 5.Kids tend to cyberbully when they are angry (girls and boys) or when they’re ‘joking’ (boys). 20