Sticks & StonesDealing with Bullying

Presented by: Dr. Janet Fox & Kimberly JonesLSU AgCenter

4-H Youth Development

Harmful behavior (physical, verbal or indirect) by a person or group that occurs repeatedly over time.

Bullying is….

Bullying is everybody’s business: students,

teachers, administrators, custodians, cafeteria

workers, and parents.

BullyVictimBystander

Poor social adjustmentBehavioral problemsCourt convictions and jail timeCommit more serious crimesDriving offenses and drunk drivingAlcoholism and mental health

problemsSchool problems

Consequences for the Bully

AnxietyLower academic successInsecurityLower self-esteem

Consequences of the Victim

FearfulGuiltAnxietyLower school success

Consequences for the Bystander

Model respectful behaviorListen to and acknowledge feelingsDiscuss retaliation and consequencesTeach communication skillsPromote development of empathyTeach socially acceptable behaviorUse positive parenting/discipline skillsReport bullying

What Can Parents and Youth Professionals Do?

Talk to an adultTry to make friends with other students

Avoid situations where bullying can happen

Act confident or rebuild self confidenceDo not blame yourselfDo not resort to violence

What can victims do?

Refuse to join inAttempt to diffuse bullying situations

Get an adult to helpSpeak up and/or offer supportEncourage the bullied teen to talk with an adult.

What can bystanders do?

Warmth, interest and involvement from adults

Firm limits to unacceptable behaviorMonitoring youthNon-hostile and non-physical

consequences for behavior

What can schools or youth organizations do?

Teach STAY SAFESAFE means…

Stand Positive and StrongAvoid The SituationFind SupportExpress Your Feelings

What are Common Mistakes/MisdirectionsZero tolerance policiesGroup treatment for children who bullyConflict resolution/peer mediationSimple, short term solutionsConfusing civil rights issues with

bullying issuesDisregarding state laws and legal

liability issues

Olweus Bullying PreventionFour levels of Implementation

School-Level Individual-LevelClassroom-LevelCommunity-Level

School-Level ComponentsEstablish a bullying prevention

coordinating committeeTrain staffIntroduce the school rulesHold a school kick off to launch the

programInvolve parent

Individual-Level ComponentsSupervise students activitiesEnsure that all staff intervene on the spot

Hold meetings with students involvedHold meeting with parents of involved students

Develop individual intervention plans

Classroom-Level Components

Post and enforce school wide rules against bullying.

Hold regular classroom meetings.

Hold meetings with students’ parents.

Community-Level ComponentInvolve community members on the

committee.Develop partnerships with

community members to support your school’s program.

Help to spread the anti-bullying messages and principles of best practice in the community.

The Role of the SchoolEvaluate Current Administrators and SupervisorsDevelop Specific Systems to Report Threats,

Violence and BullyingEstablish a system of rewards that positively

reinforces Train Entire Staff

Recognize the symptoms Report Know how to intervene Help victims Prevent Bullying

Continued…Create a team of interventionists

(psychologist, counselors, social workers, police, medical, legal, media)

Create bullying education programs for all students and parents

Empower bystandersEliminate the second bully Develop and early warning systemCreate, amass and distribute bullying

information

Taking on Bullies in

Louisiana

Phase I: Laying the FoundationParent LetterSchool Climate AssessmentGroup views suggested movies Reflection/Journaling ActivitiesIntroduce Character Word Wall

Phase II: School AssembliesBrief power point Reflection of viewed moviesCharacter Film ClipsRole Playing skits (incorporate peer teaching when possible)

Student Challenge

Phase III: Follow up & ReflectionProvide follow-up activities during the

assembly (Taking a Stand Footprints)School Climate Assessment (compare)Provide teachers with additional resources

and feedbackStudent developed action planReflective JournalingIncorporate Recognition

My achy, breaky heart!

“Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life, but define yourself.”

Harvey Firestone

ResourcesReal Problems Real Solutions, Dr. Susan Lipkins

www.realpsychology.comOlweus Bully Prevention Program

http://www.clemson.edu/olweus/No Name Calling Week Resource Guide www.

nonamecallingweek.org The Bully Free Classroom. Alan Beane, 1999.

Free Spirit Publishing Inc., Minneapolis, MN. www.freespirit.com

What works and Doesn’t Work in Bullying Prevention and Intervention. Susan Limber & Marlene Snyder, The State Education Standard. July 2006

www.filmclipsonline.com