Webb CISD Parent Meeting Fostering Dignity and Respect September 28, :30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Showing high regard for self, others, and property. Dignity and Respect Being courteous to others through actions and words; to treat others the way we want to be treated

Bullying Hurts Everyone

What Is Bullying? Physical or psychological intimidation that occurs repeatedly over time Bullying can be overt (i.e., teasing, hitting, or stealing); boys are most often overt bullies Bullying can covert (i.e., spreading rumors or exclusion); girls are most often covert bullies

Bullying… Is aggressive behavior that intends to cause harm or distress or HUMILIATION, Usually is repeated over time. Occurs in a relationship where there is an imbalance of power or strength.

How common is bullying? Nansel et al. (2001): national sample of 15,600 students in grades % bullied others ”sometimes” or more often 9% bullied others weekly 17% were bullied “sometimes” or more often 8% were bullied weekly 6% reported bullying and being bullied “sometimes”or more often

Children Who Bully are More Likely to: Get into frequent fights Be injured in a fight Steal, vandalize property Drink alcohol Smoke Be truant, drop out of school Report poorer academic achievement Perceive a negative climate at school Carry a weapon

Who Are The Victims of Bullying? Children who are bullied are often insecure, socially isolated, anxious, and have low self- esteem They are unlikely to defend themselves or retaliate They tend to be weaker than their peers

Who Are The Victims of Bullying? Cont’d Parents of children who are bullied are often overprotective or enmeshed with their children Children who are bullied perceive parent or teacher intervention to be ineffective and are unlikely to report the problem.

Children who are bullied have: Lower self esteem Higher rates of depression Higher absenteeism rates More suicidal ideation

Health Consequences of Bullying (Fekkes et al., 2003) Bullied Not bullied Headache16%6% Sleep problems42%23% Abdominal pain17%9% Feeling tense20%9% Anxiety28%10% Feeling unhappy23%5% Depression scale moderate indication49%16% strong indication16%2%

Kids Who Observe What do you usually do when you see a student being bullied? –38% Nothing, because it’s none of my business –27% I don’t do anything, but I think I should help –35% I try to help him or her

CYBER BULLYING IS… Being cruel to others by sending or posting harmful material using technological means. An individual or group that uses information and communication involving electronic technologies to facilitate deliberate and repeated harassment or threat to an individual or group. Also known as: ‘Electronic Bullying’ & ‘Online Social Cruelty’

CYBER BULLIES’ TECHNOLOGY   Cell phones  Pager text messages  Instant messaging  Defamatory personal web sites  Defamatory online personal polling web sites  Chat rooms

DIFFERENCES BULLYING DIRECT Occurs on school property Poor relationships with teachers Fear retribution Physical: Hitting, Punching & Shoving Verbal: Teasing, Name calling & Gossip Nonverbal: Use of gestures & Exclusion CYBERBULLYING ANONYMOUS Occurs off school property, even 24/7 Good relationships with teachers Fear loss of technology privileges Further under the radar than bullying Emotional reactions cannot be determined {McKenna & Bargh, 2004; Ybarra & Mitchell, 2004}

CYBER BULLYING STATISTICS *Taken from an i-SAFE America survey of students nationwide.

CYBER BULLYING LEGAL ISSUES Criminal Law Limits The following kinds of speech can lead to arrest & prosecution: Making threats of violence to people or their property Engaging in coercion Making obscene or harassing phone calls Harassment or stalking Hate or bias crimes Creating or sending sexually explicit images of teens Sexual exploitation Taking a photo of someone in place where privacy expected General (Willard, 2005)

SCHOOL, FAMILY AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS Building good relationships between teachers, parents/care givers and communities provides the foundations of quality education for your children. By being involved in your child’s school and education you are opening opportunities for learning and fostering a climate of collaboration and trust.

Together we CAN make a Difference