How to Handle
Bullies,
Teasers, and
Other Meanies
NO
BULLIES!!
Did You Know That….
160,000 children miss school
each day due to fear of
attack or intimidation by
other students?
Did You Know That….
young bullies carry a one-infour chance of having a
criminal record by age 30?
Did You Know That….
boys are more often the
perpetrators AND victims of
bullying?
“Sticks and
stones can
break my bones,
but words can
break my heart”
Jeffrey Johnston
Stand-Up for ALL
Students Act
June 11, 2008
Jeffrey Johnston Act
Students for Safer Schools , Inc.
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Florida’s Bullying Prevention Bill SB114
Requires each school district to adopt a policy prohibiting bullying and
harassment which interferes with student’s educational performance,
opportunities, or the orderly operation of a school.
Anonymous Reporting
DOE Approval
Documentation to Receive Safe School Funds
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www.jeffreyjohnston.org
[email protected]
www.leecountycares.org
www.bullypolice.org
www.bullysafeusa.com
www.bullying.org
www.dontlaugh.org
www.cfchildren.org
www.familyhealth.org
President, Debbie Johnston
Pinellas Co. Policy Against
Bullying and Harassment
Bullying is defined as:
Systematically and chronically
inflicting physical hurt or
psychological distress on one
or more students or employees
Harassment is defined as:
 Any threatening, insulting or
dehumanizing gesture, use of data or
computer software, or written, verbal
or physical conduct directed against a
student or employee that:
 Places a student or employee in
reasonable fear of harm to his or her
person or damage to his or her property.
 Has the effect
Key Elements of Bullying
Imbalance of Power
Intentional
Repeated
Types of Bullying
 Verbal
 Physical
 Relational Aggression
 Sexual Harassment
 Cyberbullying
Rough Play Conflict
Bullying
Usually friends
often repeated
(same players)
Balance of Power
Usually not
friends; typically
not repeated
Power relatively
equal
Typically not
friends; generally
repeated
Unequal power
No intent to
harm
Intentional harm- Intentional harmdoing
doing
Affect is
Affect negative; Affect negative;
friendly, positive, aggressive, tense, aggressive &
mutual
hostile affect
differs for victim
and aggressor
All Allegations of Bullying
Must be Investigated
 All formal complaints of
bullying/harassment must be
investigated.
 Formal complaints of bullying can be
reported verbally (by student or parent),
in writing, anonymously, or through
District Electronic Reporting System
The Bully
 Wants Power, Control and Recognition
 Bigger, Older, Stronger, More Popular
Than Victim
 Usually From a Family With a Member
Who Bullies to Get What They Want
 Enjoys the Reaction From the Victim
 Has a Sense of Entitlement (feel they
deserve the attention & control)
 High Self Esteem
The Victims
 Physically slight
 Quiet/Shy
 Reactive-provokes attacks by being aggressive,
argumentative (less common)
 Non-confident Body Language (fearful,
vulnerable facial expressions,
 Loners
Effects of Bullying
 Academic Concerns
 Health Problems
 Social/Emotional
Concerns
 Adjustment Problems
Kids Have to Hear The
Message Loud and Clear
Bullying Isn’t Tolerated
Here!
Look for signs
 Look for signs that students may be
feeling left out.
 “Pay attention to interactions between
your students. Most bullying takes
place where you (and other adults) can’t
see it or hear it.”
The Bully Free Classroom
How Can You Help Your Students
And Bully Proof Your School?
 Educate Them About Bullying
 Give Them Strategies (A Bag of
Tricks)
Educating Them
Awareness (get it out in the open
and name it)
Define It
Types of Bullying
Bullying Behaviors
The Bully
The Victims
Effects of Bullying
It’s not too late!!
It may start the first day of school, but
BUILDING a positive classroom continues
and grows throughout the school year.
 It is never too late to create a positive
classroom environment! Start now!!
 Some groups grow together easily, others take
more time (and patience)! Hang in there!
Your persistence will pay off!!
Building a Classroom
 Strive to create a classroom
environment where everyone feels safe,
accepted and appreciated.
 In a positive classroom, students can
learn, teachers can teach and
education-not behavior- is the focus.
 The Bully Free Classroom
Classroom Communication
System
 As part of Tier 1 Behavior Plan, each
classroom will develop a written
classroom communication system for
students to report kudos and concerns
about classroom culture. (by January 2012)
 Examples of communication systems:
Class meetings (compliments and concerns)
Classroom mailbox
Classroom basket
To Help The Bullied
 Encourage Student to Talk to a Trusted,
Caring Person
 Encourage Student to Report Bullying
Incidents to You and Administrators
 Encourage Student to Report Bullying
Incidents to Parents
 Coach Student in Alternatives
 Encourage Student to Develop Friendships
 Refer Student’s Name to Guidance
Counselor for Self-Esteem Group and
Friendship Group
To Help The Bully
 Have Honest Conversation with Bully about
His/Her Bullying Behaviors in Private
 Positively Reinforce Appropriate Resolution
of Conflicts
 Teach Student Other Ways to Get Needs
Met
 Design Activities to Bring out Leadership
Strengths Without Bribing
 Meet With Parent to Identify Cause
 Establish One-to-One Relationship
 Be Gentle Rather Than Tough
 Invite Bully to Join Bully Free Club
Focus on the Bystanders
To be most effective in ending
bullying at your school, aim to
change the bystanders – the rest
of the school population.
Bystanders-The silent majority
about 80-85% of the school population
How Bystanders Can Help:
Refuse to laugh at the bullying
Refuse to stand there and watch the
bullying
Several bystanders can befriend and
hang out with the bullied
Go with bullied to report the bullying to
an adult
A friend of the bully can try to talk him
or her out of it
Mentoring
 “It’s a proven fact that students at risk
can be helped to improve their behavior
and stay out of trouble by being
matched with mentors-adults or teen
who care about them and spend time
with them.”
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from The Bully Free Classroom
Mentored Students are:
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46% less likely to start using illegal drugs
27% less likely to start using alcohol
53% less likely to skip school
37% less likely to skip a class
Almost 33% less likely to hit someone
More likely to get along with peers and
parents
 A P/PV study, 1992-1993, The Bully Free Classroom
I Believe I have The Right
To Be Safe!
I Believe Words Can Solve
My Problems!
I Believe I Can Be a Friend
To Anyone!
I Believe Everyone Is Equal!
I Believe I Have Power
Over My Actions!
I Believe My Ideas Are
Important!
I Believe In Showing
Respect To Everyone!
But… I Do Not Believe In
Violence!
Together,
We Can Make
A
Difference!