Bullying Jennifer Fornera

What is Bullying? Aggressive behavior or intentional “harm doing” the behavior occurs within an interpersonal relationship by imbalance of power The behavior is carried out repeatedly and over time

Ways to Bully Physical – hitting, kicking, pushing, choking Verbal – name calling, threatening, taunting, malicious teasing, spreading nasty rumors Some other – making faces, obscene gestures, or intentional exclusion from a group

The Role of Schools in Preventing Bullying **First and Foremost** The school should be a safe and positive learning environment for ALL students.

In order to achieve this goal, schools should strive to: Reduce, if not eliminate, existing bully/victim problems among students in and outside of the school setting; Prevent the development of new bully/victim problems; and Promote better peer relations at school which will allow victims and bullies to get along and function better in and outside of the school setting

Recommended General Rules for Improving Overall School Climate --Two general conditions must exist in order to prevent bullying:  Teachers and staff at schools should be aware of the extent of bully/victim problems in their own schools;  Teachers and staff should involve themselves in changing the situation.

So what can we do to prevent bullying? Schools and classrooms should stick to rules to prevent bullying Teachers and staff members must clearly and consistently communicate that bullying is not acceptable behavior rule

Possible guidelines to target all student We will not bully other students. We will try to help students who are bullied. We will make it a point to include ALL students who are easily left out. When we know somebody is being bullied, we will tell a teacher, parent, or adult we trust.

School – Level Interventions Establish a Bullying Prevention Coordinating Committee Administer an Anonymous Questionnaire Survey Hold a School Conference Day Improve Supervision and Outdoor Environment Involve Parents

Classroom – Level Interventions Establish Classroom Rules Against Bullying Create Positive and Negative Consequences of Bullying Hold Regular Classroom Meetings Meet with Parents

Individual – Level Interventions Serious Talks with the Bully or Bullies Serious Talks with the Victim Involve the Parents Change of Class or School

If nothing is Done: Haugstad vs. Standwood-Camano School District, 1999 High vs. Pasco School District, 2000 Anchorage School District vs. Tom, 2000 Duval County School, 2004