1. Bullying Awareness Freshman Assembly October 6, 2010

2. Today’s Presentation Expectations of a student at BC High: The mission and the law -Mr. Hughes, Principal Key points: How to live up to expectations Stories: Lessons from your senior mentors A skit: A week in the life of a bullied student Advice: For the bully, the bullied and the bystander

3. How Do We Define “Bullying”? “A person is bullied when he or she is exposed, repeatedly and over time, to negative actions on the part of one or more other persons, and he or she has difficulty defending himself or herself.” – Dan Olweus, bullying expert and creator of the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program

4. In most bullying situations, the bully tries to defend himself by saying.... “But I was just kidding...”

5. “Just Kidding”

6. “Off Limits” There are five categories that are off limits for jokes. The Big Five include: – Race – Religion – Gender Identity – Physical Appearance – Mental Ability

7. Important differences between joking around and bullying? Allows people to swap roles and kid each other Maintains the dignity of everyone Is meant to get both parties to laugh Stops when the person teased gets upset or objects Based on an imbalance of power and is one-sided Involves humiliating, cruel, & demeaning comments Getting a laugh at one person’s expense Continues when the person teased objects

8. Questions to ask yourself What is the balance of power? (Is the joking going back and forth or is it one sided?) Can you be sure you know how the other person is feeling? Would you want this to be happening to you?

9. Bullying is about contempt Contempt is a powerful feeling of dislike toward somebody considered inferior. A sense of entitlement An intolerance toward differences A liberty to exclude

10. Bullying is arrogance in action.

11. Advice for the Bully If you recognize some of the characteristics of the bully in yourself: Stop Get help to break the cycle Make amends to those you have hurt (whether it was deliberate or not.)

12. Advice for the Target If something bothers you – SPEAK UP – talk about it with someone you trust – a counselor, teacher, coach If you are not sure where to start – talk to your senior mentor Talking to someone is not snitching – it is the right thing to do and can help the bully Try not to take it personally – it has more to do with the bully’s need for power than with you

13. Advice for the Bystander Bystanders have the greatest power to stop bullying “There are no innocent bystanders.” Men of character cannot stand by while someone is hurt. You must act! There are many different ways to intervene depending on the situation.

14. Some final thoughts...

15. Cyberbullying Basics If it is illegal in person, it is illegal online. (Just because you know you are joking doesn’t mean they will.) Even a “private” profile can be read and copied. (If you don’t want your grandmother to read it...) Don’t let your emotions rule your typing. (If you are upset, log off for a while – get a snack, walk the dog...) More to follow...