Using the correct vocabulary

Components for getting the school programs in place: Establish a bullying prevention coordinating committee Conduct committee and staff training Administer the Olweus Bullying Questionnaire in grades 3-8 Hold staff discussion group meetings Introduce the school rules against bullying Review and refine the school's supervisory system Involve the parents

Things St. Paul is already doing right... Our behavior intervention plan is aligned with the recommendations from the Olweus Bullying prevention program Class meetings are essential in order to prevent bullying and discuss solutions with students

What is bullying? Bullying is when someone repeatedly says or does mean or hurtful things to another person who has a hard time defending himself or herself. Bullying is repetitive

Effects of being bullied: Lower self-esteem Depression Anxiety Illness Low school achievement Absent from school and school activities

Effects of bullying on bystanders: Afraid Powerless to change/stop the situation Guilty for not acting May go along with the bullying

What to Remember Bullying effects learning, the community, and the school culture!

How can you stop bullying? When confronting a bully, your response is your responsibility Empathy and care for the one that is being bullied. Always tell an adult you trust when you see bullying! Be persistent! It takes a TEAM effort!

Our classroom rules against bullying! (To post in your class) We will not bully others. We will try to help students who are bullied. We will include students who are easily left out.

"It is in the shelter of each other that we live." - Irish Proverb

Strategies and suggestions to give to students during class meetings Don't go along with a friend who is bullying someone else "Innocent bystander" is not okay Remove the victim from the situation If you feel like you failed to do the right thing that day, talk to your teacher and try again the next time you see something happening

Parents’ Roles in Bullying Prevention A. Communication Letter of Introduction – address the problem of bullying and provide a confidential avenue for the parent to report the bullying. Conferences – Report to the parents the student’s academic status and ask the parent about the student’s attitude toward school and feelings about the student’s friendships. Once a month in your newsletter provide information on bullying or a reminder of how to report a problem.

Parents’ Roles (continued) B. Plan of Action Outline for the parents a clear plan of how to report an incident or reoccurring problem. The reporting: How? When? To whom? Confidential. C. Response in the Classroom Seating Charts Teacher Always Picks Partners Class Meetings Foster Safe Friendships

Parents’ Roles (continued) D. Offer Empathy and Support Listen to the parents Reassure and work as a team for all students. Be consistent and follow through on action plans. Be Positive. E. Identifying the behavior, NOT labeling the child Quote: From a current 7 th grade student from his “Friendship” paper. “Although he was that kid’s friend, he included and supported me. Little things like that can make a big difference. Just knowing that he cared for me made me feel better.”

Solutions Class meetings (books have been ordered to help) Success does not mean less problems, it is determined by how you cope with those problems Often, kids want to stop it and they know what they are doing is wrong. They do not have the strategies to know what they should do Don't forget to address the innocent bystander (important not to get "tunnel vision") Focus on not only the victim: What is going on with the bully?

Resource for Teachers Stopbullying.gov