1. Bullying program overview
J.R. SMITH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Bullying program overview

2. J.R. Smith programs to encourage inclusion
Pathfinder Pals – 5th grade leaders in school – get training from counselor – their job is to be a friend to other students in the school.
Student council – “A person is a person no matter how small” – theme for term 1
Buddy bench – place for students to sit when they don’t know what to do at recess
Buddy box – private reporting system – can report problems or positives
Playworks recess – planned activities for students who need something to do and “structured recess” as an alternative to lunch detention
Individual and group counseling – social skills and coping strategies
School-wide classroom presentations – counselor teaches coping skills/social skills to all students

3. Got bullies? 20% of students experience some form of bullying.
10-40% of students report some form of cyberbullying.
27% of victimized youth have also carried a weapon to school.
CDC, 2010; DAVID-FERDON & HERTZ, 2007; YBARRA, DIENER-WEST, & LEAF, 2007

4. Bullying defined… Intent to harm Repeated
One-sided (Not “back and forth.”)
Victim suffers a notable power differential
Relational, including “intentional exclusion”

5. Research on Previous Programs
Results of Meta-Analyses by Merrell (2008) and Ferguson et al., (2007) conclude that most Bullying prevention programs don’t reduce bullying or violent behaviors in schools.
Strong effects for increased “knowledge” and “awareness,” but no real decrease in bullying as a behavior.
WHY?

6. It works. It’s loaded. It’s rare.
Effective strategy for maintaining social dominance. Identified “bullies” possess high self- esteem, participate in “typical” development. (Olweus, 1995.)
Genetic predispositions & Non-genetic causal factors. (Larsson, Andershed, & Lichtenstein, 2006; Rhee & Waldman, 2002).
“Floor Effect.” Low Base Rate. Safer schools overall. (National Center for Education Statistics)

7. Our research...
Does parental involvement increase knowledge and awareness of bullying prevention strategies?
Access to Web-based & paper-based content
Randomized, Control Group Study
RESULTS: Students performed better on tasks measuring their knowledge when parents accessed the content. (Higher for web- based group).
Inform parents of our bullying program – important to parents=important to kids

8. Add evidence-based strategies
School-Wide Positive Behavior Supports (SW-PBS)
Functional Behavioral Assessments
“ABC” problem solving model (Ask, Brainstorm, Choose)
Teach positive, replacement behaviors

9. “Bully-ology”
I. Define Bullying II. Establish a clear reporting system. III. Enlist methods of triangulating information, (i.e., at least 3 separate sources of intel). Teacher, Student, Recess Aide, student “informant.” IV. Address the peer group swiftly and consistently V. Teach positive, replacement behaviors (to bully and victim) VI. Mean it. Prove it.

10. What can parents do? Collaborate with the school
Adopt a shared definition of bullying.
Talk about it.
Reward behaviors that: Recognize, Report, and Run (towards a helpful adult)!
Have consistent consequences for behaviors that are: Aggressive, Coercive, Repetitive, Targeted

11. Any Questions?
Thank you for coming!!!!