Bullying in Our Schools Electra ISD 2013-2019 Training

The Facts on Bullying 15% of students are either bullied regularly or are initiators of bullying behavior Bullying starts at the elementary level, increases at the middle school, and declines at the high school Boys are more likely to be bullies and be bullied than girls School size, racial composition, or school setting (rural, urban or suburban) are not distinguishing factors

Bullying Can Be Acted Out in Many Forms Harassment Hazing Extortion Gossip Teasing Exclusion Rejection Assault

Characteristics of Bullies…. Have a need to feel powerful and in control Derive satisfaction from hurting others Have little empathy for their victims Generally defiant or oppositional toward adults, antisocial, and apt to break school rules Often defend their behavior by saying they were provoked by their victim Criminal activities Possible drop-outs

Act I- The Victim and Bullying Effects on the Victim Grades may fall because the students attention is focused elsewhere Attendance may drop to avoid the bullying Causes insecurity, anxiety, and low self-esteem Possible depression Retaliation through drastic measures such as fighting back, carrying weapons, and suicide

Act II- Bystander and the Bully Effects to the Bystanders Afraid of associating with the victim because they fear retribution or becoming victimized themselves. Fear reporting bullying incidents because they may be termed a “snitch”, “tattletale”, “rat”, etc. May experience feelings of guilt or helplessness because they did not stand up to the bully on behalf of their classmates.

ACT III- Teachers to the Rescue Teachers can…. Be a counselor Provide education about bullying behavior Take immediate action when they observe bullying behavior Contact the parents of both parties immediately Refer the victim and aggressor to counselor when appropriate

ACT IV- Students Help Save the Day Students can…. Refuse to be participates in the harassment of other students Offer kind words to a victim of bullying Refuse to participate in the spreading of gossip and rumors Tell the bully that the actions are inappropriate, if the student has an open line of communication with the bully

ACT V- The Bullying Stops Schools can……. Establish a ZERO tolerance for bullying behavior on the campus Closely supervise students in hallways, playgrounds, and cafeterias Establish a confidential reporting system for students to report bullying incidents Act on bullying reports immediately Assure the victim that someone will follow up and take appropriate action Do not blame the victim

Resources Schindelheim, Frank.(2004).Relieving Classroom Stress, A Teacher’s Survival Guide. Authorhouse Banks, Ron.(1997). Bullying in Schools. ERIC Digest. Available:http://npin.org/library/pre1998/n00416/n00416.html Presentation created by Dayna Hardaway