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Bullying In Schools Committee Meeting February 29, 2012
Bullying In SchoolsCommittee Meeting
February 29, 2012
Meeting Procedures and
Norms O Be Respectful at All Times!
All conversation and discussion is to be considered confidential.
Please do not use names or specific incidents.
Wait to be recognized before speaking.
Honor time limits.
What is Bullying?O Definition:
Any gesture or written, verbal, graphic, or physical act (including electronically transmitted acts-i.e. internet, telephone or cell phone, personal digital assistant, or wireless hand held device) that, without regard to its subject matter or motivating animus, is intended or that a reasonable person would know is likely to harm (1) or more students either directly or indirectly by doing any of the following:
Definition cont’d……….A. Substantially interfering with
educational opportunities, benefits, or programs of one (1) or more students;
B. Adversely affecting the ability of a student participate in or benefit from the school district’s educational programs or activities by placing the student in reasonable fear of physical harm or by causing substantial emotional distress;
Definition cont’d…………
C. Having and actual and substantial detriment effect on a student’s physical or mental health; and/or
D. Causing substantial disruptions in, or substantial interference with, the orderly operation of the school.
What does all of this mean?
More Definitions
O MEMSPA:“Bullying is deliberate and hurtful behavior meant to belittle, frighten, hurt, or exclude someone. Bullying usually does not happen just once. It continues to happened over and over.
O Olweus Definition of Bullying:“Bullying is when someone repeatedly and on purpose says or does mean or hurtful things to another person who has a hard time defending himself or herself”
Not all Conflict is Bullying…
Bullying is Not……..O Not all acts of aggression are bullying—some are
less serious than bullying and some are more serious.
O Bullying does not include normal childhood sibling rivalry or one on one fighting with competing claims.
O Not impulsive acts of aggression; acts that are spontaneous, indiscriminate striking out with no intended target
O Not criminal acts that begun as conflicts and escalated (physical assaults, serious threats of physical assault, assaults with weapons, and vandalism.
Distinguishing Among….Olweus Prevention Program
Rough Play Real Fighting BullyingUsually among friends; often repeated
Usually not friends; typically not repeated
Typically not friends; generally repeated
Balance of Power
Power Relatively equal
Unequal power
No intent to harm
Intentional harm-doing
Intentional harm-doing
Affect is Friendly; positive, mutual
Affect negative; aggressive, tense, hostile affect
Affect negative; aggressive and differs for victim and aggressor
NEW LEGISLATION:Matt’s Safe School Law O Consequences and
Discipline:O It is the Administrations
job to determine both the validity and the consequences. Parents do not determine what consequences are enforced. Admin will not share consequences of other students with parents.
O False reports or allegations is prohibited and will be consequenced as appropriate by the administration.
Schools must: hold a public hearing and
adopt a statement prohibiting Bullying. VCS School Board will do this on the June 6th .
Hold Prompt Investigations (3-5 days)
Notify both parents of the incident.
Implement consequences for valid incidents
Report number of incidents to the School Board Annually. This will take place at June meeting.
Current and Future Plans
O Current Programs:O C.S.I. Bullying presentations for k-
8 with Parent presentation was held last November.
O 7th and 8th students are using Bully Academy program
O 7th and 8th students will read “Bullying in Schools.”
O 7th and 8th grade students are going participate in Social Lessons during Wrap-up.
O Playground supervision and documentation plan has been implemented.
O Elementary has implemented Guidance Counselor Lessons.
O Future Programs:O Training for Bus Drivers
on how to handle and recognize Bullying (video has been purchased).
O Staff TrainingO Student TrainingO Bullying presentation
to High School by local Army unit.
O More………………………
Bullying is…………..O Not just a school problem! It is a student, a
parent, a community, and a societal problem!O Not going away because of a policy!
Conflicts will always occur and young people will always have to learn how to cope with conflicts and people that they have issues with. We need to help the victims cope with the issues!
O Best prevented when peers take leadership roles and work to improve student interactions!
Open Discussion………..O Examples:
O Scenario #1O Scenario #2O Scenario #3
O Other……………
What Next?O Set next meeting.O Create statement prohibiting
bullying for board to approve.O Update Handbook.O Identify appropriate professional
development activities for staff.O Identify learning activities for
students.O Educate parent on what bullying
is and how to help their children.O Other………….
