Bullying Take a Stand!

CTMS anonymous Bully Report We want Cross Timbers to be a safe place for all of our students, so we are starting a new response to bullying. If you are not comfortable talking to someone about a bullying situation, you can go online and report it anonymously at any time.

Defining Bullying Bullying is when a student or group of students engages in written or verbal expression, or physical conduct that: – Will have the effect of physically harming a student, damaging a student’s property, or placing a student in reasonable fear of harm. – Is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive enough that it creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment for the student.

Bullying is: Aggressive Intentional (on purpose) Involves an imbalance of power

Bullying may be: Repeated over time Acted out in many different forms.

Bullying can happen in 4 ways: Verbal Physical Property Cyber

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE? VERBAL: – Ignoring or isolating others – Teasing – Jokes – Gossip or spreading rumors – Threats

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE? PHYSICAL: – Blocking someone’s path – Physically restraining someone – Pushing or kicking – Hazing (taping to a pole, etc) – Fighting – Pinching – Any other action that physically harms another.

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE? PROPERTY: – Hiding belongings – Theft – Destroying belongings – Extortion (blackmail) – Vandalism

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE? CYBER-BULLYING: “Direct or indirect attacks using cell phones, computers, , social networking sites or other electronic means to put down, harass, or intimidate others.” – Stealing passwords / hacking into other’s accounts – Creating fake accounts to lure someone into a false relationship – Spreading rumors about someone online – Spamming – Creating a false account in someone else’s name on embarrassing websites – Forwarding personal s, texts or pictures to others – Threatening someone anonymously through websites

Bullies target those who are DIFFERENT… And differences are what make us UNIQUE!!! Clothing Culture Appearance Intelligence Physical Size Religion

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF BULLYING ON THE TARGET? Physical Effects You might experience: – Stomach aches – Weight loss/gain – Headaches – Drop in grades – Drug or alcohol use – Sexual acting out – School avoidance – Dropping out of school – Ulcers – Nightmares – Flashbacks Emotional Effects: You might feel: – Left out – Anxious – Insecure – Low self-esteem – FEARFUL – Depressed – Withdrawn – Angry – Vengeful – Suicidal – Homicidal

I’M NOT BEING BULLIED, SO WHY SHOULD I CARE? School violence affects everyone The Secret Service did a study on school violence and found that bullying was a factor in 37 school violence incidents including: – Barry Loukaitis, 14, Moses Lake, WA February 2, 1996 – Joseph “Colt” Todd, 14, Stamps, AR December 15, 1997 – Eric Harris, 17, and Dylan Klebold, 18, Littleton, CO April 20, 1999 – Charles “Andy” Williams, Santee CA March 6, 2001 – Elizabeth Catherine Bush, 14, Williamsport, PA March 7, 2001 Sadly, SUICIDE is a growing response to bullying…. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among year olds. 500,000 teens attempt suicide every year, and 5000 succeed. – Phoebe Prince, 15, Northampton, MA, January 2010 – Eric Mohat, 17, Mentor, OH, March 2007 – Jeremiah Lasater, 14, Acton, CA, October 2010 – Megan Meier, 13, St. Louis, MS, 2006

85% of students are NEITHER bullies nor victims. SILENT MAJORITY YOU are part of the SILENT MAJORITY and YOU can make a difference.

WHAT CAN I DO? If I am being bullied: – Keep Calm: bullies love it when you react with tears or anger. Don’t give them the reaction they are looking for. – Report it: Bullies will harass you as long as they think they will get away with it. By reporting it and continuing to report it, you send them a message that you are not going to take it. – Use the buddy system: Most bullies look for easy targets. If you are alone, you are much less likely to have someone stand up for you.

WHAT CAN I DO? If I am being bullied: – Make a joke: This approach throws the bully off guard and lets them know that they are not going to get the reaction they are looking for…. However, don’t make the joke at the bully’s expense—that would just make YOU the bully. – Be assertive: Look the bully in the eye, and stand up for yourself in a positive way. – Walk away: Remove yourself from the situation as quickly as possible. Get help from a teacher or other adult.

WHAT CAN I DO? If I see someone bullying others: – Choose to get involved. – Tell the bully to stop. – Tell them that bullying is not okay in our school. – Distract the bully. – Get help. – Support the victim. – Ask the victim to join your group. – Offer a positive or encouraging comment. – Do not Laugh, participate, or stand around watching it happen. – Report it.

WHAT CAN I DO? If I am bullying others: – Ask yourself when, why and how you bully others. – Learn to treat everyone with respect. – Pay more attention to other’s feelings. – Think about the potential consequences of your actions. – Apologize to your former victim(s). – Talk to someone about the problem. – Take positive steps to help yourself. Some adults who were bullies as children often end up with all sorts of problems - failed relationships, few friends, frequent job changes, even prison records. – Save yourself future grief by stopping bullying now.

Why is it important? The Credo of the Wolf: – Respect the Elders – Teach the Young – Cooperate with the Pack – Play When We Can – Work When We Must – Rest in Between – Share Your Affections – Voice your Feelings – Leave your Mark

Why is it important? WOLVES We are WOLVES and we care about each other, take care of each other, and treat each other with respect. Bullying has NO place in the Credo of the Wolf, and NO place on our campus.

Who can I talk to about Bullying? Mrs. Bones, Student Advocate Ms. Manginell, Counselor A-K Mrs. Hughes, Counselor L-Z Ms. Rodriquez, Assistant Principal Mrs. Tidmore, Principal A Teacher A Parent A Trusted Adult (Pastor at church, family friend, youth leader, etc) A Friend A PAL (Peer Assistance Leader) Anyone who will listen! OR file an anonymous bully report on the counseling website!