BE S.M.A.R.T. ABOUT BULLYING Poughkeepsie City School District

Dignity for All, also known as The Dignity Act, is a new law in New York State which seeks to provide the state’s public schools with a safe and supportive environment free from discrimination, intimidation, taunting, harassment and bullying on school property, school buses, and/or at a school function.

An intentional act of aggression, based on an imbalance of power, that is meant to harm a victim either physically or psychologically. Bullying usually occurs repeatedly and over time, however, sometimes can be identified in a single event. Simply put, bullying is meanness that is on purpose, not provoked, and happens usually more than one time.

Physical Bullying Verbal Bullying Relationship Bullying  Hitting, Kicking, Tripping, Choking, or Pushing  Stealing  Hiding or ruining someone's things  Making someone do something he or she doesn't want to do  Name calling  Threatening  Teasing or taunting  Spreading rumors  Racist slurs  Threatening on the phone or the Internet (Cyber bullying)  Writing mean notes  Refusing to talk to someone  Spreading lies and rumors about someone  Making someone feel left out or rejected  Gossiping  Hurtful pranks  Embarrassing someone

 The Bully  The Victim  The Bystander

 Lacks empathy (does not pay attention to the feelings of others)  Is aggressive verbally and/or physically  Seeks power and control of others  Starts fights and trouble  Scares classmates with words and actions

A victim can be ANYONE!

 They may not think speaking up will help.  They may be afraid that if they say something, the bully will turn on them too.  They may look up to the bully and want to hang out with them.  They want to “side” with the bully because it makes them feel strong.  They’re entertained by the bullying and/or think it’s funny.  They may not know what to do.

 Bullying is a big problem. It can make kids feel hurt, scared, sick, lonely, embarrassed, helpless, and/or sad.  Kids can be afraid to come to school.  Kids can be afraid to leave school.  Kids can lose focus on schoolwork and grades can drop.  Victims might start to bully others.

1. Bullying is just teasing. 2. Some people deserve to be bullied. 3. Only boys are bullies. 4. People who tell on bullies are babies. 5. The best way to deal with a bully is by fighting or trying to get even.

1. FALSE – Bullying is much more than fun teasing. Bullying always hurts. 2. FALSE - No one ever deserves to be bullied. 3. FALSE – Girls can be bullies too, although most bullies are boys. 4. FALSE – Kids who stand up to bullies are more grown- up than the bully! 5. FALSE – If you fight with a bully, you may get hurt or in trouble.

S peak up M ove away / ignore A sk a friend for help R emain calm T ell a trusted adult

IF YOU SEE BULLYING:  Get help from school staff right away.  Say something to stop it. (“Hey, leave him alone!”)  Set an example (never join in or laugh).  Help the victim out (say a few kind words in private or help them get to safety).  Join with kids who don’t bully and agree to step in together when you see bullying.

You can help keep our schools safe from bullying!