1. Dealing with Bullying: Prevention & Intervention
Maureen M. Welch Elementary

2. What is Bullying?
Bullying is when a stronger, more powerful person hurts or frightens a weaker person on purpose and repeatedly (again and again).
Bullying behavior is when someone is hurt physically, socially, and/or emotionally by words or actions.

3. School Board Definition of Bullying as Outlined in Policy No. 218.10
Bullying means a communication or act that is intentional and delivered in electronic, written, verbal or physical form to another student or students, which occurs in or by way of a school setting that is severe, persistent or pervasive and has the effect of doing any of the following:
1. Substantially interfering with a student’s education; or
2. Creating a threatening environment; or
3. Substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school.
Bullying, as defined in this policy, includes communication delivered through the internet (Cyberbullying).

4. Direct Bullying Physical
Kicking, biting, punching, hitting, damaging others’ property, stealing, etc.
Verbal (Emotional and/or Social) (the most common form of bullying)
Threatening, teasing, embarrassing others, name calling, gossiping, spreading rumors, shunning, picking on or attacking others because they are different, etc.

5. Indirect Bullying Physical Verbal Non-Verbal
Getting someone else to kick, hit, setting others up, showing your fist, etc.
Verbal
Saying lies about someone, talking behind people’s back, telling secrets, encouraging bullying, etc.
Non-Verbal
Leaving someone out of the group, not letting your friend play with someone else (Relational Bullying), Instant Messaging (Cyber Bullying), laughing at someone

6. What is the Potential Impact of Bullying on Targets/Victims?
Bullying hurts for a long time
Some children are impacted long term with sadness, depression, and/or anxiety
People don’t “get over” being bullied
Many adults can remember times when they were bullied as children

7. Targets/Victims Tend To…
Be quiet & sensitive
Be insecure, have little confidence
Be physically weaker than peers
Be afraid of getting hurt
Find it easier to associate with adults than with peers
Be hyperactive, restless , have difficulty concentrating
Hot-tempered, attempt to fight or answer back when they feel attacked or insulted
Clumsy and immature
Have difficulty reading social signals

8. Children Who Bully Tend To…
Have more positive attitude toward violence
Gain satisfaction from hurting someone
Have difficulty conforming to rules
Be aggressive to adults, quick temper, easily frustrated
Be stronger than peers
Appear tough, show little compassion for victims
Be good at talking themselves out of situations
Gain followers because of fear and power

9. What is MMW Doing to Prevent Bullying?
Second Step
Life Skills
Restorative Practices
Guidance Curriculum in K-6
Positive Behavior Support Plan (PBS)
Teacher Mailboxes
Recess/Lunch/Bus Training
Trouble Free Playground Games
MMW Bullying Pledge

10. Interventions: How MMW Responds to Bullying
Gathering of information as soon as a report of bullying is made (talking with the target, bystanders, and person(s) accused of bullying)
Disciplinary action taken when appropriate
Follow up discussions with the children who are involved and possibly a restorative meeting between the target and child who bullied
Contacting parents of all children who are involved
Communication with all teachers of children involved if bullying situation was addressed by the guidance counselor and/or principal

11. How Parents can Help Get the facts and listen to your child
Stay calm and be objective
You may not have the whole story
Assure your child that the problem will be addressed
Gather as many details as possible
Where, when, who was involved
Keep records of when your child is bullied. This will help to show that there is a pattern and that it is not just a one time event.

12. How Parents can Help cont’d…
Communicate with the school
Encourage your child to speak to his/her teacher or other school personnel verbally or in writing.
If your child is not comfortable speaking up, you can contact your child’s teacher, principal, or school counselor
Continue to maintain open communication with school personnel

13. How Parents can Help cont’d…
Encourage your child to use strategies that they have learned
Tell the bully to stop
Walk away
Know that it is not your fault
Tell adults at home and at school
Stay with trusted friends
Hang out with people who will let you be you
Don’t be a bully yourself

14. Case Studies: Lunch - Two girls move away from one
Recess - Boys exclude another from a game/activity
Bus – Teasing a boy about liking a girl

15. Resources www.stopbullyingnow.com www.stopcyberbullying.org

16. REMEMBER THAT WE ARE ALL RESPONSIBLE FOR KEEPING OUR SCHOOL A SAFE PLACE
References:
Olweus Bullying Prevention Program
Bully Free Classroom