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.

Bullying

Repeated over time

Intentional

Power based

Seek to humiliate or intimidate

Aimed at one particular student

Only one party has negative feelings

Accidental: not apologizing after an accident

Not based on a difference in power: neither student feels belittled

All parties have negative feelings: arguing between friends

Inappropriate

Behavior

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/