School Bullying Programs Carri Schneider University of Cincinnati

Sample Bullying Lesson Plans A program for students A program for parents whose children are being bullied A program for parents whose children are the bullies A program for administrators A program about Bully Courts

Key Points in a Bullying Program for Students Bullying is not “just a part of life” or “a normal part of growing up”. Bullying can take many forms and all are equally hurtful. Bystanders play an important role in stopping the bullying cycle. Students have to feel empowered to ask for help & know that the allegations will be taken seriously.

Key Points in a Bullying Program for Parents Test Your Bully IQ Parents need to be sympathetic to their child’s experiences with bullies and not downplay it as a natural part of being a child. Not all children will be willing to share their experiences, parents need to start the dialogue and keep the lines of communication open.

Bullying Resources for Parents and Teachers Bully Online The Peace Rug Don’t Suffer In Silence Bully.Org Link to other Bully Resources

What about when your child is the bully? Is your Child A Bully? If so, don’t panic and act out in anger. Be willing to accept the truth; denial won’t help your child. Consider the reasons why your child might be exhibiting bullying behavior. Ask questions and agree to work on the problem. Look at your own actions. Be sure that you are modeling healthy relationships.

Steps to Take with a Bullying Child Enroll your child in groups that encourage cooperation, i.e. volunteering or community service. Keep your child engaged in ongoing conversations. Help your child learn healthy ways to express his/her emotions. The message should not be that feeling angry is bad, only that acting out in anger is bad. Nurture your child’s self-esteem! Use your resources. Ask for help if you need it.

Bully Program Options for School Administrators Administrators set the tone & expectations for the school. Programs should be in place before there is a problem. “The most important thing that a school can do to reduce bullying is to have a policy outlining how the issue is raised within the curriculum, and how incidents are dealt with after they have happened, i.e. the policy must acknowledge the need for both pro-active and re-active strategies. But no school has the answer to every problem, and no single method can be used.” (from

Sample School Bullying Programs Traditional Programs like Punishment & Assertive Discipline Bully Boxes and other Reporting Systems Adult and Peer Counseling Mediation “Safe Rooms” Help Lines

New Approaches to Bullying in Schools ‘No Blame’ Approach ‘Shared Concern’ Approach ‘Solution Focused’ Approach Bully Education Programs Bully Courts

What is a Bully Court? Membership How Cases Are Brought Pre-Hearing Procedures The Hearing Post-Hearing Procedures

Advantages of Bully Courts Active-involvement / Ownership Peer Collaboration and Cooperation Adults send a message to students that their opinions are valued. Research supports a reduction in bullying incidents where these courts are used. Step-by-step procedures remove subjectivity and ensure equal treatment for all students. Bully Courts show the seriousness of bullying and send a message to students about the severity with which it will be handled.

Criticisms of Bully Courts Time & Training Setting up a student to be judged by his/her own peers may serve to further alienate the student, leading to increased feelings of self- doubt which may later lead to more bullying.

Key Points There is not one solution to the large scale problem of bullying. We must address it from all angles. Teachers and administrators must determine what is best for their own students, and parents must determine what is best for their own children. The bottom line: We can’t continue to ignore this problem in hopes that it will go away.