C.O.R.E. Conference Presentation

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Learn How to Appropriately Intervene in Bullying Situations

November 8, 2010

Donna J. Layer , M.Ed.Coordinator of Guidance and Counseling ServicesBirdville Independent School DistrictFort Worth, Texas

School Cyber Bullying Conference

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C.O.R.E.

Community of Respect Everywhere


Where have we been?

The campus and central office administration realized that parents had made some valid statements about a need for a full review of all policies and procedures relating to bullying. Therefore, the superintendent assigned the emergency management team to work on a comprehensive plan to address the parents concerns.

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BISD Community of Respect Task Force

A diverse group of district and community members were invited to participate in a task force addressing current issues regarding bullying brought to our attention. Our goal was to define, identify behaviors, discuss positive responses and develop a district wide system to provide a climate of change beginning with the 2010-11 school year.


Bullying (From BISDs Code of Conduct)Bullying means engaging in written or verbal expression or physical conduct that school personnel determine:Will have the effect of physically harming a student, damaging a students property, or placing a student in reasonable fear of harm to the students person or of damage to the students property or is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive enough that the action or threat creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment for the student (Texas Education Code 25.0342).No student shall engage in any form of bullying, nor shall any student encourage or assist any other person in bullying.


What Bullying is Not

Bullying does not include normal childhood behavior such as sibling rivalry or one-on-one fighting of siblings or peers with competing claims. Nor does it include acts of impulsive aggression-in other words, aggression that is a spontaneous, indiscriminate striking out, with no intended target. Such aggression is often related to a physical or mental handicap, such as autism or Aspergers syndrome (high functioning autism), and must not be dismissed or excused, but it is not bullying. Spontaneous, deliberate, indiscriminate striking out also may be a response by a bullied kid to an attack by a bully, but it is not bullying.

Bullying does not include criminal activities that may have begun as a conflict and escalated.

Source:Excerpts from The Bully, The Bullied, and the Bystander, Barbara Coloroso 2002 www.kidsareworthit.com kids are worth it, inc. 800.729.1588 fax 303.972.1204


Cyberbullying

Bullying doesnt just happen face to face. It includes electronic communications, including: e-mail, Facebook, Twitter, text messaging, etc.


Staff: Are you a bully?

In addition to the states definition of bullying, staff also bully when they consistently use degrading negative comments openly about a student or students. Whether this is one student or a whole class, it is still bullying.

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Community of Respect Everywhere, C.O.R.E., is an ongoing initiative throughout Birdville ISD backed by the philosophy that promotes positive and safe learning climates while developing responsibility, accountability and respect. Each of us teaches character education by the way we talk, the behaviors we model, the conduct we tolerate, the deeds we encourage, and the expectations we transmit.

It is not one more thing on our plateit is the plate.


Where do we go from here?District must embrace this as a critical focus at all levelsTraining for staff and students must take place and it must be throughout the yearEvery campus must address this issue, determine a plan to implement, and include it in their campus improvement plan.


What have we done?

Formed Community of Respect Task ForceInstigated Independent Investigation of Current District PolicyContacted and consulted with Barbara Coloroso, internationally renowned expertDeveloped protocol and procedures for reporting incidents on campus.Arranged presentation by speaker Justin Lookadoo for counselors, task force members, principals and Leadership on communication, respect and climate changeExpand Crime Stoppers on every campusReinstate character education/virtues. . . C.O.R.E. valuesDeveloped Safety Zone website


C.O.R.E. Values for 2010-11 School Year

First six weeks ResponsibilitySecond six weeks EmpathyThird six weeks KindnessFourth six weeks HonestyFifth six weeks AcceptanceSixth six weeks Courage


http://www.birdvilleschools.net /safetyzone/


Activities Happening on the Campuses

Campus task forces established to facilitate/oversee initiatives-including students from all rangesIncorporated messages with C.O.R.E. values over announcements, in newsletters, on websites using video clips, public service announcements, motivation quotes, etc.Adopting a community service project in which all staff and students can participate Display cases showing C.O.R.E. valuesTheatre Arts departments writing and performing skitsAthletic teams visiting elementary schools as mentors and community hospitals to visit and assist patients modeling C.O.R.E. values



Coaches incorporating values/character lessons into practice sessionsClassroom teachers incorporating C.O.R.E. values in discussions, writing assignments, projects, etc.Music departments writing jingles to support C.O.R.E. valuesRandom Acts of Kindness recognitionsArt department designs signs and posters depicting C.O.R.E. values



Guest speakers presenting citizenship/character values to students/staff/parentsAnonymous Pay it Forward certificates are distributed throughout the district to keep the message of C.O.R.E. circulatingSafety Zones established on campusesPromotion of Crime Stoppers programUtilize district protocol for reporting incidents on campus


Student-on-Student Altercation Response Chart


Resources available to victims and offenderswww.birdvilleschools.netBISD Evening Counseling ServicesBISD Evening Family Group Education ProgramSafe Haven-a nonprofit organization that exists to end violence through safety, support, prevention and social changeParenting Center-providing the tools to succeed through family life education classes, counseling, in home case management, and co-parenting servicesOther local agencies and counselors

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ReferencesColoroso, B. (2009). The Bully, the Bullied, and the Bystander: From Preschool to High School--How Parents and Teachers Can Help Break the Cycle (Updated Edition) (Updated ed.). New York: Collins Living.

Eklind, D. H., & Sweet, F. (n.d.). How to Do Character Education. Character Education - Free Resources, Materials, Lesson Plans. Retrieved October 21, 2010, from http://www.goodcharacter.com/Article_4.html

Barney Fudge, Consultant for School Health and SDFSC, ESC Region [email protected] Phone 817.740.7637, Mailing Address: ESC Region XI, 3001 North Freeway, Fort Worth, Texas

Justin Lookadoo, national speaker and author, Bullies on the Playgroundwww.lookadoo.com Phone 310.489.7181, Mailing address: P.O. Box 3104, McKinney, Texas 75070

Eric May, Director of Prevention Services, SafeHaven of Tarrant Countywww.safehaventc.org Phone 817.546.6040 x 239, Mailing address: 6815 Manhattan Blvd. Suite 105, Ft. Worth, Texas 76120, Hotline 1.877.701.SAFE (7233)

Kim Rocha, Center Coordinator, Alliance for Children, [email protected] Phone 817-427-3110 x 101, Mailing Address: 625 Grapevine Highway, Hurst, Texas 76054

www.values.com


In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing. The worst thing you can do is nothing ~ Theodore Roosevelt


Copies of this presentation and the handouts are available at slideshare.com.