Bullying Solutions: Define it and Prevent it Toula A. Sideris The Joseph Sears School

Common Anti-bullying Laws School Policies (definition and description, updated biennially, reporting procedures, clear procedures) Parent Education (parent handbook should include plan) Professional Development for Teachers (Cyberbullying, annual training on prevention, student risk factors) Student Education (student handbook, research based, age appropriate, taught in each grade)

Define Bullying Targeted Ongoing Harassment Imbalance of power

Bullying vs. Conflict Bullying is: A repeated form of mistreatment where the victim cannot defend himself An imbalance of power – usually one person is either bigger or older than the other or has a higher social standing (is more popular) and uses this against the other person Usually repeated acts of harassment but doesn’t have to be A form of abuse Conflict is: All parties have equal power to solve the problem All parties have an equal interest in the outcome Children are of equal size, age or status Conflict is not the same repeated encounter – it usually happens once. A conflict can be resolved by talking or working things out together or with help from an adult.

Types of Bullying Verbal Bullying: name calling, gossiping, threatening, making fun of others, eye rolling, taunting Mental Bullying: exclusion, rumor spreading, ignoring, coercing, Physical Bullying: hitting, punching, tripping, ignoring, pushing, Cyber bullying: bullying through use of cell phones, text messages, s, Internet sites

Tips for standing up to bullies. Take a deep breath and let your air out slowly. Sit or stand tall, head up and keep hands at your side. Maintain eye contact. Avoid name calling, finger pointing and making threats. Speak in a calm voice and be brief and direct.

Bystander vs. Upstander A person or group of people who witness injustice but do nothing to try to stop it. A person or group of people who take positive action, particularly when the easiest and most acceptable thing to do is nothing.

Activities Survey Students and Teachers Buddy Bench Bullying “What Would You Do?” Class Meeting Crumpled paper “Pounding Nails” Empathy Training Character Trait Toss

Circle of Friends

Second Step Bullying Prevention

Many studies have shown that children who are bullied at school and in the community, often grow up to be adult victims of bullying. Let’s break the bullying cycle.