Robyn Garnett, LCSW, Student Assistance Program Counselor No More bullying! Robyn Garnett, LCSW, Student Assistance Program Counselor

What is bullying? When a person harms another person on purpose with words and/or behaviors. The words and behaviors are meant to embarrass or intimidate the other person. It can be a severe one-time offense, or it can be repeated over time. The harmful words and/or behavior are being said or done on purpose. The person being harmed has a hard time making it stop. Bullying can happen anywhere, not just at school. *Any other ideas about what bullying is?

Bullying can be: Verbal – name calling, spreading rumors, teasing, telling mean jokes, making threats Physical – pushing, kicking, hitting, biting, pulling hair, or damaging someone else’s belongings Emotional – hurting someone’s feelings by trying to make them feel bad about themselves, or trying to embarrass someone in front of other people Cyberbullying – spreading rumors online, sending mean text messages, or posting photos/videos that make fun of someone

What isn’t bullying? Liking different things Accidentally bumping into someone Disagreements *Remember, bullying happens when words or behaviors are done on purpose and meant to intentionally harm another person.

Who gets bullied? Bullying can happen to ANYONE. Girls and boys both get bullied, from pre-school to high school; even grown ups can be bullies and get bullied. Remember – NO ONE DESERVES TO BE BULLIED…EVER! EVERYONE HAS THE RIGHT TO BE SAFE…ALWAYS!

Who does the bullying? Anyone can be a bully – it can be the biggest kid on the playground, or it might be the smallest, quietest student in the school. Students who bully can be any age, gender, size and grade.

What can you do if you’re being bullied? Know that you do not deserve to be bullied by anyone! Tell your teacher, a campus supervisor, your parents or another adult that you trust. That person can help you make a plan about how to respond to the situation. Telling vs. Tattling: Some kids say they don’t want to tell an adult about bullying because they’re afraid of being called a “tattle-tale,” but there’s a difference between telling and tattling. Telling is done to protect yourself or another student from getting hurt. Tattling is done to get someone else in trouble

What can you do if you bully others? Understand that your words or actions are hurting someone else. Know that it is never okay to hurt anyone. Understand that everyone deserves respect. Ask for help from your teacher, a campus supervisor, your parents or another adult you trust.

What can you do if you witness bullying? Say something! When kids are willing to say when they think something wrong is happening, they can be a big help to others. Tell other students that you don’t accept bullying at your school, and they will be more willing to say something too. You can tell an adult you trust if you see or know about bullying. * Remember, telling isn’t the same as tattling. Telling helps protect you and other kids from being hurt.

Now it’s time for an activity!

Questions???

References: http://www.stopbullying.gov/ http://www.nea.org/tools/lessons/teaching-students-to-prevent-bullying.html http://www.ronitbaras.com/category/family-matters/kids-children/ http://www.pacer.org/bullying/ http://www.rusdlink.org/Page/4138 Ethics4schools: “STEP UP!” Bully Prevention Video; Neil Armstrong Elementary, Bettendorf, IA