BULLYING AT SCHOOL Let’s stop the MADNESS!

Definition of a Bully A bully is... –N. a person who teases, frightens, threatens, or hurts others who are not as strong as he is –V. to frighten (into doing something) by noisy talk or threats –V. to be a bully toward –V. to be a bully; be overbearing

Bullies come in all shapes and forms. They are pretty, handsome, plain, acne-ridden, pimple-free, tall, short, old, young, smart, academically challenged, and so on. Bullies can have tough home lives or they can have very normal parents. Bullies choose to act the way they do for many reasons. Usually they are insecure with who they are. Sometimes they want attention. Sometimes they are angry and want to lash out at someone.

Survey results – Why some people say they bully… To be cool Insecurity Attention Anger Jealousy Fun Mean Boredom Defense mechanism Family problems All of these Bullies need our help. Report them so they can get the help they need.

You Are Not Alone Everyone has been bullied in their lifetime. How a person deals with the first bullying incident usually determines whether or not they are continually bullied. Sometimes the bully is so insecure about a situation that they lash out at the innocent person that represents their failure. Not only has everyone been bullied, but everyone has played the part of bully one time or another.

Examples of Bullying Calling someone a name that they do not like. Cutting in line Making up mean lies about others Laughing at someone because they are different Verbal insults

More examples Persuading another person to insult or abuse Spreading malicious rumours Excluding someone Physically striking, kicking, spitting, etc.

Group Bullies Bullies look for those weaker than themselves to bully. –When they wish to attack someone stronger than they are, they employ a group of people to help them. –The group (or posse) gives the bully the confidence to attack the victim. –They need their “posse” for support. As soon as the posse is gone, they lose their nerve.

Group Bullying If you don’t stop bullies, you are a bully supporter.

How do you stop a bully? Tell an adult. Your principals, counselors, teachers and parents care about you and your classmates. Be a hero. Confront the bully on behalf of a friend. “Stop. That’s mean.”

Ideas that cause more problems Fight them – cycle doesn’t end Pay the bully to stop – they’ve won. They’ll be encouraged to do it to others. Gang up on them – A group of friends telling them to stop is a great idea. Just be careful how far you go. Don’t become the bully yourself by ganging up on them. Set them up – Uncool Give up – Again, don’t let them win. Try to talk it out or get help from a friend or adult.

Surround yourself with friends. Don’t let one bully ruin a good day. Remember that they are one and you and your friends are many.

Avoid being the victim Be confident. Bullies don’t like people who are not afraid. Ignore as much as you can. Smile at the bully and be super nice. This drives them crazy.

What do you do when you see someone being bullied? It takes real bravery to stand up to a bully, even when you are not the one being bullied. There is always a good chance the bully will turn on you and you will be the new victim. If everyone would stand up to bullies, they would run out of people to harass.

You Have A Choice To Make Everyone makes mistakes and bad choices. We have to decide whether we are going to make good or bad choices. One bad choice does not have to define who you are. Decide NOT TO BULLY from now on.

Bullying results in a wide-range of emotions – from anger to fear Bullying can occur in many forms: Rumors, threats, being left-out, destruction of property, violence, notes, text messages, phone calls, s Any time you cut in line, cheat on a test, use someone else’s work as your own, steal, etc. you are saying that what you want is more important than another person’s rights. That is a type of bullying. Most of us have been a bully at one time. Many of us have also been bullied by another.

Books To Read Strong, Beautiful Girls series. Teens at Risk by Christine Watkins Check these out at the library or talk to Mrs. Gehlman for some more book ideas.

Are you going to help us stop the madness?