BULLYING: WHAT CAN TUCKER CREEK DO? PLC :January 26, 2011

My thoughts: Too much talk, not enough action?…Is it really a “top” priority in the whole scheme of our roles, duties, expectations, demands, etc. as a teacher. “Sticks and bones may break bones, but words can break a heart.”…much truth to this! Education is key: the bully, the bullied, the ones who know but don’t do anything (bystanders). One of our biggest challenges is addressing the cases that go unreported (ones we don’t hear, see, or find out about). Educating the parents; teachers creating an awareness through TCMS mediums… Engrade, wikispaces, websites, progress reports (“TCMS is proud to be bully- free!”)

More thoughts Get the students proactively involved in awareness and prevention for a zero-tolerance environment. Adults and “experts” can talk about bullying all day long, but if our kids and students don’t buy into intervention and prevention, it will be to no avail. “One shot” lessons on bullying seem to have no lasting effect. Treat as a formative assessment… on-going, have follow-up and discussion. I see it getting worse instead of better anytime soon, especially because of technology and devices (cell phones, computers, social forums) Encourage students to take advantage of situations to show “good citizenship” and stand up to bullying. Is it truly possible to have “zero tolerance” when we give kids multiple chances to correct the problem?…Does our punishment fit the crime to deter future behaviors? Is the media glamorizing the problem?...More news making headlines than ever!

What do TCMS students think?

Talk vs. Action Focus on character words of the month (December was caring) Practice what we preach. Follow the Golden Rule: Treat others as we want to be treated! Acknowledging and celebrating positive gestures and actions by students: Make a big deal of it! Incorporate mini-lessons that involve anti-bullying strategies and intervention Use morning announcements to highlight accomplishments- particularly character-oriented ones of students and faculty members: Recognize good deeds in and out of school. Place emphasis on good sportsmanship, teamwork, and positive comments during HAC.

Ideas to change the climate of TCMS  Have a school-wide “NO PUTDOWN CHALLENGE” week: Students sign a contract committing to positive interactions and abstaining from negative comments about themselves or others. Classes who accomplish this will have a celebration for students.  “Pink Shirt Day”: (story from Canada…middle school student) February 23, 2011  Everyone wear pink to show that we will not tolerate bullying anywhere

Continued  Teachers meet with students first to discuss bullying (document, log). Inform them that 2 nd meeting with be with a School Counselor and 3 rd will be with administration.

Standing Up Against Bullying  Have a Poster Contest: Each classroom designs a poster to hang up somewhere in the hallway. The winner gets a celebration.  Have students sign a contract that they know what bullying is, how to report it, and that they will not tolerate bullying anywhere. Keep this contract on file in case a reminder is needed for the student.

What do we do when it happens?  Address bullying immediately.  Keep a log of when you talk to students and if it gets resolved.  Call parents if necessary to let them know their child was involved in bullying.  the Counselors to let them know that you met with a student and what happened in the meeting.  2 nd offense: Refer to Counseling Office  3 rd offense: Refer to administration  Let’s try to change the behaviors so it doesn’t have to go this far!

But what about the bystanders?  If you witness bullying, stop it! Make a “big deal” about it!  If you notice bystanders, address them in a way that does not make them feel attacked but allows them to understand that watching it happen is not okay. Let them know how to appropriately intervene.  Feel comfortable opening up class discussions on bullying and bystanders: Use as a follow-up to School Counselor’s coming into the classroom and presenting on bullying.

Resources  teachers teachers    sources/cometogether/b8.ppt  Beane, A.L. (2005). The Bully Free Classroom: Over 100 tips and strategies for teachers K-8. Free Spirit Publishing.  Cooper, S. (2005). Speak Up and Get Along. Free Spirit Publishing.