Presented by: Dr. Janet Fox & Kimberly Jones LSU AgCenter 4-H Youth Development

Harmful behavior (physical, verbal or indirect) by a person or group that occurs repeatedly over time. Bullying is….

Bullying is everybody’s business: students, teachers, administrators, custodians, cafeteria workers, and parents.

Bully Victim Bystander

Poor social adjustment Behavioral problems Court convictions and jail time Commit more serious crimes Driving offenses and drunk driving Alcoholism and mental health problems School problems Consequences for the Bully

Anxiety Lower academic success Insecurity Lower self-esteem Consequences of the Victim

Fearful Guilt Anxiety Lower school success Consequences for the Bystander

Model respectful behavior Listen to and acknowledge feelings Discuss retaliation and consequences Teach communication skills Promote development of empathy Teach socially acceptable behavior Use positive parenting/discipline skills Report bullying What Can Parents and Youth Professionals Do?

Talk to an adult Try to make friends with other students Avoid situations where bullying can happen Act confident or rebuild self confidence Do not blame yourself Do not resort to violence What can victims do?

Refuse to join in Attempt to diffuse bullying situations Get an adult to help Speak up and/or offer support Encourage the bullied teen to talk with an adult. What can bystanders do?

Warmth, interest and involvement from adults Firm limits to unacceptable behavior Monitoring youth Non-hostile and non-physical consequences for behavior What can schools or youth organizations do?

Teach STAY SAFE SAFE means… Stand Positive and Strong Avoid The Situation Find Support Express Your Feelings

What are Common Mistakes/Misdirections Zero tolerance policies Group treatment for children who bully Conflict resolution/peer mediation Simple, short term solutions Confusing civil rights issues with bullying issues Disregarding state laws and legal liability issues

Olweus Bullying Prevention Four levels of Implementation School-Level Individual-Level Classroom-Level Community-Level

School-Level Components Establish a bullying prevention coordinating committee Train staff Introduce the school rules Hold a school kick off to launch the program Involve parent

Individual-Level Components Supervise students activities Ensure that all staff intervene on the spot Hold meetings with students involved Hold meeting with parents of involved students Develop individual intervention plans

Classroom-Level Components Post and enforce school wide rules against bullying. Hold regular classroom meetings. Hold meetings with students’ parents.

Community-Level Component Involve community members on the committee. Develop partnerships with community members to support your school’s program. Help to spread the anti-bullying messages and principles of best practice in the community.

The Role of the School Evaluate Current Administrators and Supervisors Develop Specific Systems to Report Threats, Violence and Bullying Establish a system of rewards that positively reinforces Train Entire Staff Recognize the symptoms Report Know how to intervene Help victims Prevent Bullying

Continued… Create a team of interventionists (psychologist, counselors, social workers, police, medical, legal, media) Create bullying education programs for all students and parents Empower bystanders Eliminate the second bully Develop and early warning system Create, amass and distribute bullying information

Taking on Bullies in Louisiana

Phase I: Laying the Foundation Parent Letter School Climate Assessment Group views suggested movies Reflection/Journaling Activities Introduce Character Word Wall

Phase II: School Assemblies Brief power point Reflection of viewed movies Character Film Clips Role Playing skits (incorporate peer teaching when possible) Student Challenge

Phase III: Follow up & Reflection Provide follow-up activities during the assembly (Taking a Stand Footprints) School Climate Assessment (compare) Provide teachers with additional resources and feedback Student developed action plan Reflective Journaling Incorporate Recognition

My achy, breaky heart!

“Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life, but define yourself. ” Harvey Firestone

Resources Real Problems Real Solutions, Dr. Susan Lipkins Olweus Bully Prevention Program No Name Calling Week Resource Guide The Bully Free Classroom. Alan Beane, Free Spirit Publishing Inc., Minneapolis, MN. What works and Doesn’t Work in Bullying Prevention and Intervention. Susan Limber & Marlene Snyder, The State Education Standard. July 2006