Bully Proofing Bonnie Branch Middle

SchoolWhat is Bullying? Who participates?Where does it happen? What are the consequences?What strategies can be used to avoid being a victim of bullying?How can we help our friends?

Bullying is…

Main points to remember:– Intentional actions/words– Hurts another physically, emotionally– Creates an educational environment

that feels unsafe for others, even if it occurs off of school property or via electronic communication

– Interferes with learning and/or well-being

What are the different types of Bullying?

PhysicalVerbalWritten communication (Paper & Electronic)Social AggressionIntimidation

But I do some of this with my friends. Am I a Bully?If your actions/words/written communications are meant to be hurtful to the other person AND it is interfering with that person’s learning or making the person feel unsafe,

then yes, you may be using bullying behaviors.

Where does Bullying happen?

It can happen anywhere!While at school it tends to happen most in:

Hallways Locker Rooms

Bath RoomsBefore/After SchoolPlaygroundCafeteria

BusesBasically: places with fewer adults

Main Characters

The Bully– The person who is doing the bully

behaviors

The Victim– The target of the bully

The Bystander– Witness to the bully behaviors

How can we prevent Bullying at BBMS?

Think about our 3Rs:We are ReadyWe are RespectfulWe are Responsible– What does this mean when we talk to

classmates? – What if we have a problem with our

classmate?

Strategies to Help Yourself“HA HA SO”

Help: Seek assistance from an adult, friend, or peer when a potentially threatening situation arises, or when other strategies are not working.

Assert yourself: Make assertive statements to the bully addressing your feelings about the bully’s behavior.

Humor: Use humor to de-escalate a situation.Avoid: Walk away or avoid certain places in order

to avoid a bullying situation.Self-talk: Use positive self-talk to maintain

positive self-esteem during a bullying situation.Own it: “Own” the put-down in order to defuse it.

HELP

Who can help me at school? – Teachers, Counselors, Administrators, Nurse/Health staff

How can I seek help at school?– Ask a teacher to talk with you during a non-academic part of

the day– Complete an orange form to request help from a Counselor

(Located in Student Services and Media)– Wrte a note to a Teacher, School Counselor, or Administrator– Complete a “green” bullying form

But if I tell, isn’t that Tattling?– NO! Tattling is when you are telling about something that is

not important, something you can handle on your own, and your purpose is trying to get someone in trouble

ASSERT YOURSELF

How do you do this?– Look the bully in the eye – Use statements that talk about your

experience, “I don’t like it that you are pulling on my back pack.”

– Make your statement and walk away, “Stop talking about me.”

When should I do this?– ONLY in situations that are NOT threatening– Works better with one individual, not with

group bullying

HUMOR

Why would I do this?– This is an effective way to catch the bully

off-guard and de-escalate the situation.

What would it look/sound like?– Make it positive - do not try to put down the

bully– Use the joke to address the action/comment

& NOT the bully– Make the humorous statement and then

leave the situation

AVOID

How can I do this?– Walk away from the student you feel

has tried to bully you in the past.– Avoid going to places that the bully

usually goes– Join in with a group of students

SELF-TALK

What do I say to myself?– Anything that is positive about

yourself!– Rehearse your statements to avoid

being hooked by the bully. Like “It’s her problem,” “I know I’m smart”

OWN IT

How do I do that?– Agree with the bully - then leave the

situation– Use humor with this strategy - like “Yeah,

my haircut is bad. I guess my mom got a bit carried away with the lawn mower.”

– Use assertive strategies with it - like “Yes, I did trip on your foot and I don’t appreciate that you stuck it out in the aisle.”

Points to Remember

These strategies can only work if you practice them.It may take more than one strategy to get a bully to leave you alone.It may take time before the strategies work.We need to remind each other as students to use the strategies when our friends/peers are having difficulty.Get help from a caring adult if you feel that the strategies are not working.

The Role of the Bystander

Bystanders are very important players in the bullying behaviors of othersYou are the largest group in the schoolWe are also guilty in bullying situations of allowing it to occur when we do and say nothingWe must learn how to take a stand against bullying behaviors

What can a Bystander do?

You can help by respecting yourself and othersYou can include others, especially if you see someone being bulliedEncourage peaceful problem solvingFollow the school rules and 3 R’sTake a stand

What We ALL Need To Do Is

STAND UP!

What it means to “take a stand”

Taking a stand is any positive behavior that supports the caring community.Ways to do this:– Stop rumors– Don’t pass notes– Speak up to the bully– Say “hi” to new students, invite someone you

don’t know well to eat lunch with you or get involved in your activities

– Help a victim to get out of a bullying situation– Let adults know what is happening

What are the consequences of bullying?

Social: – Less friends for the bully and the victim– Loss of self-esteem for the victim– Fear for the victim and bystanders

Academic:– Less focused on school: victim, bully, and

bystanders

Discipline For the bully: – Removal from class, lunch, recess– Parent conferences– Suspension

Wrap Up

Review of green notes pageSign pledge and bring home to parentsQuestions or concerns?

References

HCPSS Policy 1060Bonds, M. & Stoker, S. ( )Bully-Proofing Your School: A Comprehensive Approach for Middle Schools.Center for Social and Emotional Education. (January 21, 2009). Bronx School Anti-Bullying Project. Movie retrieved from http://www.youtube.com Short, W. Short Circuit Entertainment. BullyHelp.org. International Stand Up to Bullying Day. Movie retrieved from http://www.youtube.comIt’s Never Too Late to Stop Bullying. Movie retrieved from http://www.youtube.comPSA-Bullying. Movie retrieved from http://www.youtube.com