1. In Our Children’s Schools

2. What Is Bullying? Physical or psychological intimidation that occurs repeatedly over time Bullying can be overt (i.e., teasing, hitting, or stealing); boys are most often overt bullies Bullying can covert (i.e., spreading rumors or exclusion); girls are most often covert bullies

3. Who Are Bullies? Children who bully typically demonstrate a strong sense of self-esteem They like to feel powerful and in control

4. Who Are Bullies? (continued) Bullies often come from homes that use physical punishment to discipline Caregivers of bullies are typically uninvolved and lack warmth Children who bully are often defiant toward authority figures and are apt to break rules

5. Who Are The Victims of Bullying? Children who are bullied are often insecure, socially isolated, anxious, and have low self-esteem They are unlikely to defend themselves or retaliate They tend to be weaker than their peers

6. Who Are The Victims of Bullying? Cont’d Parents of children who are bullied are often overprotective or enmeshed with their children Children who are bullied perceive parent or teacher intervention to be ineffective and are unlikely to report the problem

7. Typical Adult Responses To Bullying Bullying is often perceived as a harmless rite of passage that all children will experience Unless bullying is likely to lead to physical injury, many adults believe it is best left to be resolved by children and their peers

8. Long-Term Implications of Bullying Children who are bullies are likely experience legal or criminal problems as adults Children can carry bullying behaviors into adulthood and experience difficulty in forming and maintaining relationships

9. Long-Term Implications of Being Bullied Children who are bullied often experience low self-esteem and depression even into adulthood Children who are bullied perceive school as an unsafe place and are likely to miss more days of school than their peers, as a result their education is negatively affected

10. Responding To The Problem Of Bullying Develop a school-wide bullying policy to: raise awareness of teachers and administrators create a framework for responding to bullying improve overall school environment ensure change is occurring in the classroom empower students through programs such as peer counseling, mediation, or conflict resolution

11. Responding To The Problem Of Bullying Develop a school-wide bullying policy Implement classroom curriculum: Develop classroom rules against bullying Develop cooperative learning projects that encourage teamwork and reduce social isolation Create activities or assignments that teach problem-solving or conflict-resolution skills Participate in role-playing or other activities to help children understand the perspectives of others and identify feelings

12. Responding To The Problem Of Bullying Develop a school-wide bullying policy Implement classroom curriculum Raise awareness of bullying: Allow students to fill out surveys to better understand their perspective of bullying Inform caregivers of bullying policies/curriculum through conferences, newsletters, or PTA meetings Encourage parent involvement in anti-bullying initiatives

13. For More Information About Bullying Visit: National Parent information Network www.npin.org Educators for Social Responsibility www.benjerry.com/esr/about~esr.html Bullying in Schools and What to do About it http://www.education.unisa.edu.au/bullying Anti-Bullying Network http://www.antibullying.net