Bullying and Harassment Sticks and stones can break your bones, but words can never hurt you….

What Is Bullying? When teasing becomes hurtful, unkind, and consistent it crosses the line. Bullying is intentional tormenting in physical, verbal, or psychological ways. We have to take bullying seriously. The results of bullying can be very traumatic to the victim.

Hey, did you hear, Kay Kanupp was seen with Jamie Warrington at the Baby’s R Us buying a baby crib…Hmmmmmm Cyber-bullying Facebook Myspace

Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold Columbine High School Shooting Jeffrey James "Jeff" Weise Red Lake Senior High Shooting

Columbine news clip videos

Jan 2006-Seminole County, Florida, Chris Penley, age 15, was killed by a SWAT member during a stand off at Milwee Middle School after Chris brought a gun to school.

Bullying has serious physical and mental health consequences Increase in drop out rates Depression and a higher rate of suicide Attendance issues at school Poorer academic performance in school Adults more likely than others to suffer from long term effects

Nearly 1 in 3 students is involved in bullying behaviors Since 2009, bullying behaviors have increased by 5% Kids who are obese, gay, or have disabilities are up to 63% more likely to be bullied than other children 61.6% of students who are bullied are picked on because of their looks or speech Physical violence is at a higher percent than non-physical Boys are more likely than girls to bully others Bullying begins in elementary school, peaks in middle school, and falls off in high school.

One mother made a difference 2008 – The Jeffrey Johnston Stand up for All Students Act was enacted after a 3 year battle

Debbie Johnston video

Who is responsible? In 2008 Florida Legislature ordered local school boards to enact anti- bullying policies ( ) Worth nothing without proper training

Cleveland, Ohio Being sued for failure to protect Sladjana Vidovic who took her own life from being the victim of bullying Parents of bully victims fight back by suing Fairfield, Ohio School District -by not preventing a bully from the constant taunting and attacks of her daughter, the school showed "reckless disregard" for her safety Family Sues Grafton High School of York, Virginia He didn’t have to die if the people responsible for keeping him safe had done their job NEW YORK SCHOOL HIT WITH $11 MILLION RULING FOR FAILURE TO PROTECT STUDENT FROM ATTACKS

School sued-video clips

Anyone can be a bully Can you pick out the bully?

Staff Training Employee’s must “buy in” to no tolerance for bullying Review annually, remind even more Talk to the students about bullying Document, Document, Document Deal with issues quickly

Some signs are obvious Physical assault on another child Damaging property Bossing other students with verbal commands Making intimidating gestures Commenting on others that are different Bragging about causing harm to others Some signs are not obvious A model student in front of adults Seem popular and well liked by others

Know the signs to watch for Standing alone at the stop, away from group Gets on the bus with torn or dirty clothing Sits alone, withdrawn, no interaction Emotional, angry outburst Cuts or bruises Quick to leave the bus and doesn’t wait for the other students If the bus operator or assistant suspects bullying they must get involved

Resources Education.com JefferyJohnston.org Philly.com Flsenate.gov history1900s.about.com scout-kills-himself/ U.S. News & World Report, May 7, 2001 Oklahoma Health Department, 2001 Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, September 2003 US Secret Service Report, May 2002