Logan ElementaryBully Prevention: Information for Parents

Material adapted from stopbullying.gov

Topics Included

What is bullying? Definition, Board Policy, Bullying vs. Conflict,

Reporting vs. Tattling Why do students bully? What are some

effects of bullying? What can students/families do to stop

bullying? Student strategies: Logan STOPS Bullying Parent strategies: How to talk with your child,

what to do School Procedures for Handling Bullying

What is Bullying?

Material adapted from stopbullying.gov & AASD Board Policies

Altoona Area School District Board Policy on Bullying

“Bullying means an intentional electronic, written, verbal or physical series of acts directed at another student or students, which occurs in a school setting and/or outside a school setting, that are severe, persistent or pervasive over a period of time and has the effect of doing any of the following:

1. Substantial interference with a student’s education.

2. Creation of a threatening environment.

3. Substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the school.

Bullying, as defined in this policy, includes cyberbullying. “

**See attached handout for full board policy

Altoona Area School District Board Policy on Bullying

“Bullying may be physical, verbal, written, electronically transmitted or psychological. It may include but is not limited to actions such as verbal taunts, physical aggression, extortion of money or possessions, exclusion from peer groups within school, name-calling, and derogatory statements, including any discriminatory statements prohibited by and consistent with the Board’s unlawful harassment policy.”

“Cyberbullying is any cyber-communication or publication posted or sent by a minor online, by instant messenger, e-mail, web site, blog, online profile, interactive game, handheld device, cell phone, or other interactive device that is intended to frighten, embarrass, harass, or otherwise target another minor.”

“School setting means in the school, on school grounds, in school vehicles, at a designated bus stop or at any activity sponsored, supervised or sanctioned by the school.”

**See attached handout for full board policy

Bullying Is…Unwanted behavior

meant to cause harm that is repeated over

time and involves a real or perceived imbalance of

power

Bullying Can Be…

Physical Trying to hurt someone’s body or belongings Examples: hitting, kicking, pushing, stealing

Verbal Using words to hurt someone’s feelings Examples: name calling, teasing, threatening

Emotional/Social Hurting someone’s relationships or reputation Examples: spreading rumors, gossiping, excluding

Cyber Using social media, the internet, or electronics

to bully Examples: posting about someone online,

threatening someone through text

Bullying or Conflict?

BULLYING

One-sided (imbalance of power)

On purpose Intent to harm

Happens repeatedly

Victim upset

CONFLICT

Two-sided (equal power)

Not pre-planned Not trying to

hurt the other person

Occasional Both groups

upset

Reporting or Tattling?

REPORTING

To keep someone safe

Need help from an adult

Important Harmful or

dangerous Behavior is on

purpose

TATTLING

To get someone in trouble

You can solve the problem on your own

Not urgent Harmless Behavior is an

accident

Why Do Children Bully Others?

Material adapted from stopbullying.gov

Why Do Kids Bully?

May not have many friends Have low self esteem Are aggressive or easily frustrated Have less parental involvement or

having issues at home Think badly of others Have difficulty following rules View violence in a positive way Have friends who bully others Like to be in control of others

Bullying Can Have Lasting Effects

Students Who Are Bullied Are More Likely To:

Depression Anxiety Increased sadness or

loneliness Changes in eating or

sleeping habits Loss of interest in

activities previously enjoyed

Health complaints Decreased academic

achievement/attendance issues

Violent measures

Students Who Bully Others Are More Likely To:

Alcohol/drug abuse Get into fights Vandalize property Drop out of school Criminal

convictions/traffic citations

Abusive towards others

How Can We Handle Bullying Appropriately?

Material adapted from stopbullying.gov

Steps for Handling Bullying

Your child has reported bullying.Families/students should:

1. Look over the checklist to determine if what your child is reporting is in fact bullying.

Conflicts, tattling, or disagreements require different responses

Is This Bullying?To be considered bullying, incidents must meet all of

the following criteria:

Is it one-sided?Is it unwanted behavior?Has it been repeated or continued?Is there an imbalance of power?Does it create a threatening environment?Is it physical, verbal/written, emotional/social

or via the internet/social media?Did it occur on school grounds or during a

school activity or does it significantly interfere with the child’s educational experience?

Steps for Handling Bullying

Your child has reported bullying.Families/students should:

1. Look over the checklist to determine if what your child is reporting is in fact bullying.

2. Talk with your child. Use the strategy list for parents for guidance.

How to Handle Bullying – Parent Strategy List

Listen to your child. Show them that you are listening by putting away your phone, turning off the computer or TV, stopping what you are doing and finding a time and place that you can give them your undivided attention away from siblings, etc.

Stay calm. Reacting by getting angry, upset or accusing people models for the student that that is the way they should be handling it as well. Take a deep breath and think before responding to your child.

Assure them that you and the school staff are here to help. Tell your child that they did the right thing by letting you know.

Express your concern. Ask them how they are feeling and if they would like to contact a counselor or talk about it further with you. Make them aware that you’re available to listen and want to make sure they are safe and happy at school.

Look over the bullying checklist and definition to ensure that what your child is reporting is actually bullying. Conflicts or tattling require different responses and strategies.

Encourage your child to use one of the appropriate strategies taught to deal with bullying.

Contact your child’s teacher if they are unable to handle it alone, if the situation persists, or if you think there is something that needs to be investigated or monitored by school staff.

Steps for Handling Bullying

Your child has reported bullying.Families/students should:

1. Look over the checklist to determine if what your child is reporting is in fact bullying.

2. Talk with your child. Use the strategy list for parents for guidance.

3. Encourage your child to use one of the appropriate strategies taught at school.

How to Handle Bullying – Appropriate Student Strategies

Logan Elementary

Stay away from and ignore the bully

Tell an adult at school and at home

Oppose the bully with words

Protect each other – stand up for someone who is being bullied

Strength in numbers

Bullying

Ways NOT to Respond to Bullying

Fighting back Name calling Spreading rumors Responding in an inappropriate way Retaliating against the student Doing nothing and allowing it to continue

Many times, these responses will cause the situation to escalate (get worse) or

could cause you to get in trouble!

Don’t Be a Bully!

Think before you act/speak Put yourself in the other person’s shoes – how

would your words/actions make you feel if someone said/did that to you??

Treat others BETTER than you’d expect to be treated

Even if you’re not the one doing the bullying, standing back and allowing it to happen can be just as bad – it shows that you’re supporting the bully

Remember that bullying leads to serious consequences

Steps for Handling Bullying

Your child has reported bullying.Families/students should:

1. Look over the checklist to determine if what your child is reporting is in fact bullying.

2. Talk with your child. Use the strategy list for parents for guidance.

3. Encourage your child to use one of the appropriate strategies taught at school.

4. Contact an adult at school (start with your child’s teacher) to make them aware of the situation so that they can monitor. Encourage your student to have this conversation with the teacher themselves to empower themselves to handle it on their own.

School Procedures for Handling Bullying

Material adapted from stopbullying.gov & AASD Board Policies

School Procedures for Handling Bullying

Form A Completed by person that student reported

incident to based on student’s report Investigated by staff Substantiated or

Unfounded 1. Student conversation with teacher/counselor2. Parent contact3. Turns into Form B

Teachers/counselors keep on file Form B

Principal involvement Appropriate level discipline determined based on

severity of actions

Logan’s Efforts to Prevent Bullying

Bullying Prevention Week Variety of lessons presented to all students Mix It Up Day – breaking down social barriers &

appreciating diversity Logan Unites Against Bullying Day Guest speakers

Implementation of School-Wide strategies to stop bullying

Disciplinary procedures that are thorough, consistent, and fair to both sides

Staff involvement Information & resources provided to families

Thank you for reading!Let’s work together to help stop

bullying!

Logan Elementary

Stay away from and ignore the bully Tell an adult at school and at home Oppose the bully with words Protect each other – stand up for someone who is being bullied Strength in numbers Bullying