The Laguna Middle School Bullying Prevention Program Definition

The Laguna Middle School Bullying Prevention Program

Definition of Bullying… • A student is being bullied when he or she is exposed repeatedly and over time to negative actions on the part of one or more students. Bullying implies an imbalance in power or strength.

What is bullying? § Intentional harm-doing § Repeated over time § Occurs in a relationship in which there is an imbalance of power

f o s e g n p i y T ully B DIRECT INDIRECT VERBAL BULLYING PHYSICAL BULLYING Taunting Teasing Threats/Intimidation Degrading racial or sexual comments Obscene gestures Hitting Kicking Shoving Spitting Spreading rumors/gossip Excluding someone from a group or activity Cyber-bullying: Cell phones E-mails Web sites Encouraging another person to be a bully Encouraging a fight

Bullying Behaviors Physical Aggression • • • Pushing Shoving Kicking Hitting Inflicting Bodily harm • Physical acts that are demeaning and humiliating

Rough Play vs. Bullying • There is a difference between rough play and bullying. • The term “rough-and-tumble play” is normally used when two or more students hit, push, chase, or try to wrestle with each other in a friendly, non-hostile, playful manner. • Research has shown that, even at an early age (about five years), students usually can differentiate between roughand-tumble play and real fighting. • Students may say, “It’s fun, ” “I like it, ” “It makes me laugh, ” as the most common reasons for participating in rough-andtumble play. • It is relatively rare for rough-and-tumble play to develop into real fighting.

Bullying Behaviors Social Alienation • Gossiping • Embarrassing • Setting up to look foolish • Excluding from the group • Ethnic Slurs • Manipulating social order to achieve rejection

Bullying Behaviors Verbal Aggression • • • Mocking Name Calling Dirty looks Taunting Teasing about clothing or possessions • Verbal threats

Bullying Behaviors Intimidation • Threatening to reveal personal information • Graffiti • Publicly challenging to do something • Defacing property or clothing • Taking possessions • Playing a dirty trick • Coercion

Hot Spots for Bullying • Multipurpose room • Hallways • Bus

Why Do We Need a Bullying Program? § Bullying affects everyone!!! § Victims § Bullies § Bystanders

What Roles Do Students Play In Bullying Situations? A Start the bullying and take an active part Take an active part, but do not start the bullying B Students Who Bully Defenders Student Who Is Bullied Followers G Dislike the bullying, help or try to help the bullied student H The one who is being bullied Support the bullying, but do not take an active part C Like the bullying, but do not display open support TG, p. 24 Supporters D Possible Defenders Passive Supporters Disengaged Onlookers F Dislike the bullying and think they ought to help, but don’t do it E Watch what happens, don’t take a stand 12

Goals of the Bully Prevention Program § Reduce existing bully, victim, bystander problems among school children § Prevent the development of new bully, victim, bystander problems § Improve peer relations § Improve school climate

Rules for Bully-Free Schools LAGUNA SCHOOL RULES AGAINST BULLYING • We will not bully others. • We will try to help students who are bullied. • We will include students who are left out. • When we know somebody is being bullied, we will tell an adult at school and an adult at home.

HOW TO REPORT BULLYING • • Tell an adult at school and an adult at home. Leave a note in the office. Call the school at 596 -4055. E-mail the school: gmiller@slcusd. org

• Feel empowered! • Step in or report bullying! • Make Laguna a better place for all students!