Be the ONEBe the ONEAllen ISD Anti-Bullying InitiativeFall 2011

The OverviewThe Overview

Definition of BullyingDefinition of BullyingGeneral Definition in Board Policy and SCC - Bullying is engaging in written or verbal expression, expression through electronic means, or physical conduct that occurs on school property, at a school-sponsored or school-related activity, or in a vehicle operated by the district and that:

Definition of Bullying, Definition of Bullying, cont.cont.(1) has the effect or will have the

effect of physically harming a student, damaging a student’s property, or placing a student in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s person or of damage to the student’s property; or (2) is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive enough that the action or threat creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment for a student.

Further Consideration for Further Consideration for the Definition of Bullyingthe Definition of BullyingConduct described above is considered

bullying if that conduct exploits an imbalance of power between the student perpetrator and the student victim through written or verbal expression or physical conduct and interferes with a student’s education or substantially disrupts the operation of a school. Bullying occurs when a student, while at school, intentionally assaults, batters, threatens, harasses, stalks, menaces, intimidates, extorts, humiliates, or taunts another student.

Further Consideration for Further Consideration for the Definition of Bullyingthe Definition of BullyingBullying also occurs when a student or a

group of students organize a campaign of shunning against another student or when a student or group of students maliciously spread rumors about another student. In most circumstances, bullying does not include a mutual fight between students of roughly equal strength who are angry with each other. Such fights are subject to discipline as a violation of school rules prohibiting fighting. If severe enough, a onetime event can be categorized as a bullying behavior.

Effects of BullyingEffects of BullyingPhysical and emotional impact of

bullying – anxiety, depression, sleep difficulties, low self-esteem, headaches, stomach aches

Truancy - 160,000 children each day miss school due to fear of an attack or intimidation by other students.

Decrease in academic performance

BullycideBullycide

Definition: A suicide caused by the effects of

bullying.

National Bullycide National Bullycide ExamplesExamples

Phoebe Prince – “new girl” bullied by “mean girls” after dating a popular boy. January 2010 (15 year old female)Phoebe Prince Story

Megan Meier – a mom created a fakeMyspace.com page and led Megan to Believe she was an adolescent boy.October 2006 (13 year old female)

Who is a Bully?Who is a Bully?

Taking a deeper look at…

BulliesVictimsBystanders

The Aggressive BullyThe Aggressive BullyPhysical aggression Impulsive, hot-temperedAngry, belligerent, quick to use forceFearlessMotivated by powerSees hostility when noneMore popular to lessLittle empathyHave more family problems than usualMay suffer physical and emotional abuse at

homeCreate resentment and frustration in peer group

The Passive Bully The Passive Bully InsecureLess popularLess aggressiveLow self-esteemUnhappy home livesDifficulty focusing at schoolViolent temper tantrums or outburstsTend to hang back and wait for a bullying

situation to present itself rather than initiate one

Align themselves with a more aggressive bully

The Passive VictimThe Passive VictimDoes not directly provoke the bullyAppear nervous in new situationsHave fewer friends in comparison to

their peersEasy targetSocially withdrawnAnxiousDepressed or SadFearfulPoor self-conceptLonely

The Provocative VictimThe Provocative VictimBehaviors that irritate or annoy other

childrenDisruptive to the classroom environmentSocially rejected by peersRestlessness and off-task behaviorHostileLow levels of toleration for frustrationSocially anxiousFeel disliked by othersLow self-esteemMay have a disability of some sortPerform self-destructive behaviors

Potential Signs of Potential Signs of VictimizationVictimization•Depression•Suicidal ideation•High levels of anxiety•More actual and perceived health problems•Poor appetite, repeated headaches and stomach aches (esp. in the morning)•Restless sleep•Absenteeism•Run away from home•Enduring mental health problems•Fear•Low self-esteem•Avoidance•Loss of interest in school work

The BystanderThe BystanderThe majority of students fall into the category of

Bystanders. This group includes everyone (other than the bully and the victim) who is present during the bullying incident.

May be afraid to associate with the victim for fear of either lowering their own status or of retribution from the bully and becoming victims themselves

Fear reporting bullying incidents because they do not want to be called a "snitch," a "tattler," or "informer"

Experience feelings of guilt and helplessness for not standing up to the bully on behalf of their classmate

Be drawn into bullying behavior by group pressureFeel unsafe, unable to take action, or a loss of

control

Bystander PSA

Examples of Physical Examples of Physical BullyingBullyingBitingHittingKickingPunchingScratchingSpitting at/onTrippingHair pulling

Example of Social/Emotional Example of Social/Emotional Verbal BullyingVerbal Bullying

* Abusive telephone calls* Extorting money or material possessions* Intimidation or threats of violence* Name-Calling* Racist remarks* Spiteful teasing* Sexually suggestive or abusive language* Making cruel remarks* Spreading false/malicious rumors

Examples of Social Emotional Examples of Social Emotional Non-verbal BullyingNon-verbal Bullying

* Rude gestures* Ignoring* Excluding* Isolating* Sending hurtful or mean notes* Encouraging other students to dislike someone* Making faces for the purpose of intimidation or control

Additional Examples of Additional Examples of Bullying Bullying Damage to property

* Ripping clothes* Damaging books* Destroying property* Taking property* Hiding property* Playing “keep away”

CyberbullyingCyberbullying

“Using the Internet or other mobile devices to send or post harmful or cruel texts or images to bully others.”

(Nancy Willard, Director, Center for Safe and Responsible Internet Use)

Examples of CyberbullyingExamples of CyberbullyingHarassing text messages Creating fake profiles Spreading rumors or gossip online "Sexting" Posting mean or hurtful messages

on social networking sites Forwarding hurtful messages to

others

Campus ProceduresCampus Procedures1. Campuses and the District have

defined procedures in place that will be followed.

◦ Reports will be made by anyone who is made aware of alleged bullying behavior.

◦ Bullying and bystander behavior will be addressed according to policy. Consequences for students other then your child will not be shared due to FERPA Law.

2. Documentation and reports will be completed - Bullying Incident Report

3. Training will be provided to staff, students and parents.

Your Role as a Your Role as a Parent/GuardianParent/Guardian• Attend any training provided by district.• Listen to your child’s concerns.• Ask your child questions.• Assure your child you will work with them to

help find a solution.• Encourage your child not to respond with

violence.• Encourage your child to ask for help and

report incidents of bullying as soon as possible.

• Communicate any concerns to school personnel and work together to find a solution.