1. BULLYING What it is, how to handle it, and ways to prevent it from happening to you and your friends!

2. WHAT IS BULLYING? BULLYING is any repeated mean look, gesture, word, or action that hurts a person’s body, things, feelings, or relationships. BULLYING involves a power difference with an intent to harm or upset the victim.

3. BULLYING BEHAVIOR Mean Looks Eye rolling, intimidating stares, looks of disgust, etc. Mean Gestures Holding nose, fist pounding, limp wrists, obscene gestures, etc. Mean Words Insults, rumors, put-downs, threats, etc. Mean Actions Pushing, hitting, kicking, spitting, tripping, mean tricks, silent treatment, social exclusion, emotional blackmail, etc.

4. WHAT IS BULLYING? How many different types do you see?

5. WHO HAS POWER? Those with power are often: popular bigger older athletically talented wealthy have influential, important parents have strong verbal skills, “wit”, etc.

6. WHO DOESN’T? Those without power are often: Overweight “nerdy” smaller and/or weaker shy and/or passive very intelligent smelling bad and/or look dirty of a different race or ethnicity gay or perceived to be gay

7. Stand up if someone has: called you a rude or nasty name. pushed you down to hurt you. rolled their eyes at you in a mean way. hit you on purpose. teased you because of how you look picked on you because of your size. spread a rumor about you. excluded you from a group, a party, a lunch table, etc. We have ALL been bullied. We ALL know what it feels like. We ALL must work to stop it in our school.

8. How would you feel if this happened to you?

9. Why does a person decide to bully? Obtain power and control To get their own way Get attention from other peers Become “popular”, the center of attention Create excitement To feel superior over others Jealousy Revenge Because they are bullied, too

10. Why does a person decide to bully?

11. HARASSMENT Can be sexual, cultural, or racial Is a particular form of bullying An unwelcome behavior of a sexual nature that is repeated, nonreciprocal, unwanted, and which creates a hostile, offensive, or intimidating school atmosphere. Definition of sexual harassment:

12. SEXUAL HARASSMENT

13. SEXUAL HARASSMENT… …questions to consider. Who are the girls that get sexually harassed the most? Who are the boys that get sexually harassed the most? What are some forms of sexual harassment? LooksGestures VerbalActions Sexual harassment is “in the eye of the beholder”: what does that mean? Flirting vs. sexual harassment: what’s the difference? How do you know if you’ve “crossed the line” from flirting to harassment?

14. MYTH vs. STEREOTYPE Myth (‘mith) n. A traditional story, based in fact or fiction, of historical events. A story that serves to explain an aspect of the world according to a certain group or culture, or explain a human practice, belief, or natural phenomenon. A legend. Examples of myths: Stereotype (‘star-ee-oh-tipe) n. A standard mental picture that is held in common by members of a group that represents an oversimplified opinion, attitude, or judgment. A belief that has been exaggerated beyond what is actually true. Examples of stereotypes:

15. “Real Men” and “Real Women” According to stereotype, what is a “real man”? According to stereotype, what is a “real woman”? How do these stereotypes influence the way we treat each other? How does television, magazines, and pop culture affect how we view and act on these stereotypes? How do these stereotypes affect bullying and harassment?

16. How NOT to respond to a bully PassiveVerbally aggressive Physically aggressiveConfronting harasser group How TO respond to a bully Assertive confrontationOne-on-one Group confrontationReporting to an adult

17. Consequences at OMS: bullying and harassment Forms of bullying, racial, religious, or sexual harassment: Assault, attack, threatening or intimidating acts, or hazing: 1 ST Offense: parental contact; up to 4 days suspension. Additional offenses: parental contact; up to 10 days suspension; possible recommendation for expulsion. -Up to 10 days suspension pending parental conference. -Referral to Mr. Fuller. -Possible referral to police. -Possible recommendation for expulsion.

18. RATTING vs. REPORTING RATTING: Telling an adult about a problem that you could solve yourself. Telling an adult about a problem when you really just want your own way. Telling an adult about a problem when you just want to make yourself look good. Telling an adult about a problem because you want to get someone in trouble that you don’t like. REPORTING: Telling an adult when somebody is getting hurt: their body, feelings, friendships, reputation, or property.

19. REPORTING TO AN ADULT “The 4 “W”s: who, where, when, and witnesses A teacher responds… A principal responds… A counselor responds…

20. Review…. Who has the REAL power? YOU! All students at Otsego Middle School have the power to empower: to stand up for themselves, to stop themselves from bullying, and to help victims of bullying and harassment when they see or hear about it. All of us have the power to make our school environment descent and respectful, or leave it frightening and humiliating. You have the power to decide. To act. All it takes is a little courage, and the belief that WE have the power to make our school safe for all.