Bullying: What Every Parent Should Know Springdale Park Elementary Ms. Yolonda Brown, Principal Ms. Jeanine Rousso, Counselor Ms. Chante Blackwell, Assistant Principal
What is Bullying? As Defined by State Law According to state law, bullying means an act which occurs on school property, on school vehicles, at designated school bus stops, or at school related functions or activities, or by use of data or software that is accessed through a computer, computer system, computer network, or other electronic technology of a local school system, that is: Any willful attempt or threat to inflict injury on another person, when accompanied by an apparent present ability to do so; Any intentional display of force such as would give the victim reason to fear or expect immediate bodily harm; or Any intentional written, verbal, or physical act, which a reasonable person would perceive as being intended to threaten, harass, or intimidate, that: Causes another person substantial physical harm within the meaning of or visible bodily harm Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s education; Is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or threatening education environment; or Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school.
What is Bullying? As Interpreted by Ms. Rousso Repeated, intentional acts meant to threaten, harass, or intimidate a peer. Behavior is based on power or making one person feel less powerful. Bullying can be direct behaviors such as teasing, threatening, hitting, or stealing. It can also be indirect such as spreading rumors, isolating or excluding. Can be written, verbal, physical, or nonverbal.
Examples of Bullying May Include but are not Limited to Someone is threatening to beat you up in school, including when walking to or from school, when you get off the bus, while talking to you on your cell phone or while you are online using instant messages, in chat rooms or by email. Someone is taking something of yours without your permission. Someone is spreading rumors about your or your family. Someone is embarrassing you in front of others by either calling you names or doing something to you. Someone is telling other kids not to talk to you or be friends with you. Someone continues to shove you in the hallways and says it is an accident.
Cyberbullying The willful, hostile and repeated harassment and intimidation of a person through the use of digital technologies, including, but not limited to, email, blogs, social networking websites, chat rooms, texts, and instant messaging Keep computers in a common room, not a bedroom. Know login information and passwords for all email addresses, social networking profiles, etc. Text messages should be checked on a regular basis. Monitor all internet use and activity logs.
Inappropriate Bullying Behavior Repeated over time Accidental: not Intentional apologizing after an accident Power based Not based on a Seek to humiliate or difference in power: intimidate neither student feels Aimed at one particular belittled student All parties have negative Only one party has feelings: arguing between negative feelings friends
Children who Bully are Often Impulsive, hot-headed, dominant Easily frustrated Lack empathy Have difficulty following rules View violence in a positive way Have a high need for power and control Have a lack of warmth and involvement on the part of parents Have overly permissive parenting including a lack of limits for children's behavior or lack of supervision Parents give harsh, physical discipline
Children who are Victims Often Appear to be anxious, self-doubting, and insecure. Report very low levels of self-esteem and a lack of confidence. Rarely stand up for themselves when confronted face- to-face by bullies. May lack social skills and friends and are often raised in overprotective households. Are often physically undersized and weaker than their peers.
Bullying Prevention at SPARK Kelso’s Choices Conflict Management No Place for Hate Pledge and Activities No Name Calling Week Red Ribbon Week Character Trait of the Month Classroom Guidance Lessons Individual Counseling
Strategies SPARK Students are Taught Use Humor Walk Away Find a Friend Avoid Bullies Ask the Bully to Stop Ask an Adult for Help Try Not to Get Upset or Angry Don’t Fight Back
What Can You Do to Prevent Bullying? Encourage and model empathy and kindness. Keep the lines of communication open with your child. Teach your child to be a proactive bystander. Teach your child how to solve problems with others. Role play to help your student practice dealing with bullies. Teach your child appropriate ways to deal with anger.
What Can You Do to Prevent Bullying? Help to develop and recognize talents or positive attributes of your child to help build self esteem. Encourage your child to make contact with and spend time with friendly students in his or her class. Teach your child how to seek help from an adult when feeling threatened by a bully. Teach your child to be assertive and let the bully know bullying behavior is not acceptable. Make sure your child has a safe and loving home environment where he or she can take shelter, physically and emotionally.
What Can You Do if Your Child is Being Bullied? First, focus on your child. Be supportive and gather information about the bullying. Check your emotions. Empathize with your child. Never tell your child to ignore the bullying. Do not encourage physical retaliation. Teach your child how to respond to the bullying appropriately. Contact school officials.
Procedures for Reporting Bullying Behavior In School Student or parent should report incident to teacher or another adult. Teacher will report incident to administrative team. Administrative team will investigate and follow disciplinary procedures. On the Bus Student or parent should report incident to bus driver. Bus driver will complete an incident report and give to administrative team. Administrative team will investigate and follow discipline procedures.
APS Student Code of Conduct Uses progressive discipline procedures so that the severity of the punishment is based on the severity of the offense as well as discipline history. Uses Georgia law to define bullying When behavior of an individual student comes in conflict with the rights of others, corrective actions may be necessary. Code of Conduct is effective on school property at any time, off school groups at any school activity, on vehicles provided for student transportation, or with respect to the Internet by or through devices belonging to the school system.
Behaviors that Result in Disciplinary Procedures Assault, including verbal or physical threats of bodily harm Inappropriate bus conduct Profane or vulgar language Willful or malicious damage, destruction, or defacing personal or school property Theft Insubordination, disorderly conduct, disobeying school rules, regulations or directives; disobeying directives given by teachers, administrators, or other school staff Classroom and school disturbances Giving false information to school officials Cheating on school assignments Bullying Falsifying reports of alleged inappropriate behavior by a teacher or other school personnel.
Disciplinary Actions for Code of Conduct Violations Warning Conference with Counselor or Administrator Loss of Privileges Isolation or Time Out Temporary Removal from Class or Activity Notification to Parents Parent Conference Out of School Suspension or Expulsion Suspension or Expulsion from the School Bus
Additional Resources and Websites http://www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/kids/ http://www.noplaceforhate.org/ http://www.pacerkidsagainstbullying.org/ http://www.gadoe.org/ http://www.schoolcounselor.org/
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