BULLY PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION Maple Grove Elementary School

BULLYING STATISTICS According to the National Association of School Psychologists, 160,000 students per day stay home from school because of bullying (Fried & Fried, 2003). Nine out of ten elementary students have been bullied by their peers (Stanford University School of Medicine & Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital, 2007) Eight year old children who bully are six times more likely to be convicted of a crime by age twenty four (Maine Project Against Bullying, 2000) 2

BULLYING PREVENTION AND THE LAW Bullying is defined for Indiana schools in House Enrolled Act 1423 Indiana Code – “Bullying” means:  Intentional, unwanted, repeated acts or gestures including:  Verbal or Written communication, or images transmitted in any manner (including digitally or electronically)  Physical acts, aggression, or any other behaviors that are committed by a student or group of students against another student with the intent to:  Harass, ridicule, humiliate, intimidate, or harm the targeted student and to  Create for the targeted student an objectively hostile school environment 3

BULLYING IS DEFINED FOR INDIANA SCHOOLS IN HOUSE ENROLLED ACT 1423 (CONT.) Indiana Code (continued )- an “ objectively hostile learning environment ”:  places the targeted student in reasonable fear or harm student’s person or property ;  has a detrimental effect on the targeted student’s physical or mental health ;  has the effect of interfering with the targeted student’s academic performance ; OR  has the effect of interfering with the targeted student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, and privileges provided by the school

DEFINING BULLYING IN SIMPLE TERMS Unwanted, aggressive behavior Repeated or potential for repeated behavior Real or perceived power imbalance 5

TYPES OF BULLYING Physical Verbal Social/Relational Electronic or Written Communication 6

PHYSICAL BULLYING Physical bullying involves hurting a person’s body or possessions. Physical bullying includes:  Hitting/kicking/pinching  Spitting  Tripping/pushing  Taking or breaking someone’s things  Making mean or rude hand gestures 7

VERBAL BULLYING Verbal bullying saying mean things. Verbal bullying includes:  Teasing  Name-calling  Inappropriate sexual comments  Taunting  Threatening to cause harm 8

SOCIAL/RELATIONAL BULLYING Social bullying, sometimes referred to as relational bullying, involves hurting someone’s reputation or relationships. Social bullying includes:  Leaving someone out on purpose  Telling other children not to be friends with someone  Spreading rumors about someone  Embarrassing someone in public 9

ELECTRONIC OR WRITTEN COMMUNICATION BULLYING Electronic or Written Communication Bullying (including all forms of Cyberbullying) is bullying that takes place through the use of written messages or using various forms of electronic technology. Examples of Electronic bullying include:  mean text messages or s,  rumors sent by or posted on social networking sites, and  embarrassing pictures, videos, websites, or fake profiles. 10

WHAT IS NOT BULLYING? There are many other types of aggressive behaviors that do not fit the definition of bullying. This does not mean that they are any less serious or do not require intervention. Peer Conflict, Horseplay, Fighting, Friendship/Social Skills issues Teen Dating Violence Hazing Gang Violence Stalking 11

STRATEGIES FOR PREVENTION Comprehensive school plan and discipline policy to address reporting incidents of bullying Appropriate responses/consequences to identified bullies and targets Professional development for ALL staff/faculty Monthly Character Education lessons (teaching empathy, compassion, respect, kindness) and School Wide Program on Bullying presented by police officer Positive Behavior Supports (PBS), STARS expectations, and recognizing those students that are doing the right thing. Effective classroom management, communicating behavioral expectations and reviewing them often with students 12

CENTER GROVE STUDENT HANDBOOK Harassing, threatening, bullying, or intimidating another person. “Harassing” behavior is behavior directed toward another person without a legitimate purpose after that person has clearly stated or shown that the behavior is unwelcome. All threats both verbal and written, will be considered serious and potentially dangerous. (pg. 12) Bullying is prohibited when a student is on school grounds, immediately before or during school hours, immediately after school hours or at any other time when the school is being used by a school group; off grounds at a school activity, function, or event, traveling to or from school or a school activity, function, or event; or using school property or equipment provided by the school. (pg.19) 13

MAPLE GROVE DISCIPLINE APPROACH Referrals to Student Services Office: Student Empowerment through teaching Proactive vs. Punitive approach Referrals to the Office: If behavior compromises the safety of others, is inappropriate, disruptive and repetitious Alleged Bullying-Harassment Incident Report 14

MAPLE GROVE DISCIPLINE APPROACH REPORTING PROTOCOL Alleged Bullying-Harassment Incident Report is to be completed by a teacher/staff member who sees a possible incident of bullying or harassment occurring or if a student reports to them. This report MUST be completed by the end of the day on the day the incident occurred and turned into an administrator. 15

MAPLE GROVE DISCIPLINE APPROACH ALLEGED BULLYING-HARASSMENT INCIDENT REPORTING PROTOCOL Consequences if Evidence of Bullying or Harassment: 1 st Violation: Warning (information will be documented and depending on the type of bullying/harassment, the first violation consequence can be skipped ) 2 nd Violation: Office Referral, Letter home, Parent Contact, Possible School Consequence 3 rd Violation: Office Referral, Letter Home, Parent Contact, 3-5 days of Out-of-School Suspension 4 th Violation: Office Referral, Letter Home, Parent Contact, Expulsion 16