Bullying Behaviors on the Bus
Prevention and Intervention
Today’s
y Objectives:
j
Awareness
Understanding
U de s a d g
Tools

Did You Know?
In a recent safety survey given to a sampling of students at
BHISD BH student’s
BHISD,
d ’ said
id that:
h
“School is unsafe because people are cussing and yelling on the bus.”
“I feel very safe but people on my bus call me names.”
“Kids cuss on the bus all the time. But at school I feel safe.”
“I think it is very safe on campus, the bus I wouldn’t say is the safest but it still
gets me home.”
“On the bus, a girl from the high school is always trying to pick a fight with me
or trying to hurt me.”
me ”
“It is pretty safe at school, but on the bus I feel like my life is in danger
constantly because they have paper fights and throw paper at the bus driver
and they scream at her and are constantly distracting her
her. It is pretty scary.
scary ”
“People bully other people I think mostly on the bus.”
“I feel VERY safe at school but on the bus some kids get too rowdy and they
mayy hurt someone.”
Bullying
y g On the School Bus

School Bus Drivers & Monitors
 First
and last school person student has
contact with
 Many times know something is wrong with a
p administrator will
student before a campus
 Drivers and Attendants are key in promoting
a safe, positive environment on the bus and
creating that safe, positive learning
environment for the students they transport.
“Bullying”
y g
A person iis being
b i bullied
b lli d when
h
he or she is exposed
repeatedly, and over time to
intentional, negative actions on
the part of one or more
students/others.

Bullying...
y g





Peaks in 6th to 8th grade and persists through high
school
Typically more boys than girls
Girls engage in exclusionary and verbal bullying
Attacks from girls are becoming more common
Most recent cases indicate that bullying is more
extreme more humiliating and more public than
extreme,
ever before!
Bullying~
y g
Be aware that school buses are breeding
grounds for bullying.
 Be aware of the realities of bullying
today. It seems to have grown more
violent if not more prevalent.
 Although it is usually not the target or
victim’s fault, they are many time singled
out.t

Children Who Bully
y CAN Change
g
Bullying behaviors and victimization
experiences will repeat over time if there is no
intervention.
intervention
 But, appropriate intervention can change
behaviors.
behaviors

Goals of Bullying
y g Prevention





Create an awareness of what Bullying is, what it
looks like, and how to intervene appropriately.
Reduce existing bully/victim problems and prevent
new ones.
Improve peer relations
Improve school climate
Understand that all children have the right to be
safe at school.
One Simple
p Rule:
“Treat
Others With
C
Courtesy,
t
Di it and
Dignity
d
Respect ”
Respect.”
The Bullying
y g Circle
Students Mode of Reactions/Role in an
Students’
Acute Bully Situation:
A.
B.
C.
Bully – Starts the bullying and takes an
active part
Follower – Takes an active part, but does
not start the bullying
Supporter (Passive Bully) – Supports the
bully, but does not take an active part.
The Bully
y Circle:
D. Disengaged Onlooker – Watches what
happens. “It’s none of my business.” Does not take
a stand.
E. Bystanders – They are scared but do not know
what to do. Probably
y most affected.
F. Possible Defender – Dislikes the bullying and
wants to help but doesn’t do it.
G. Defenders
The Bully
y Circle:
H. Victim – The one who is exposed.
H
exposed
I. Bus Driver – Ultimate Defender!
Calls out the Bully by naming the
action as “Bullying”
Bullying
Literally says “STOP the
Bullying!!!”
What Can Bus Driver/Attendant
/
DO?







Recognize and Name bullying behaviors
Move the bullying child near the driver
Give a verbal warning
Watch for future occurrences
F ll the
Follow
h school
h l reporting
i procedures
d
Discuss proper behavior with students
Create a climate where children know that the bus
driver cares and they ARE safe on the bus.
Post these Rules on the Bus…
We will not bully others.
others
 We will try to help students who are
bullied.
 We will include students who are easily
y
left out.
 When
Wh we
w know
k w somebody
b d is
i being
b i
bullied, we will tell an adult at school and
an adult at home.

On-the-Spot
p Interventions:

The Teachable Moment
1. Stop the bullying behavior
2. Support
S
the
h victim
i i
3. Name the bullying behavior
4. Refer to the school rules
5. Impose
p
immediate consequences
q
where
appropriate
6. Encourage the bystanders
7. Call for help
When There Are Suspicions
p
of Bullying
y g
Intensify observations of the
possible victim
p
 Emphasize the difference between
tattling and reporting
 Encourage Reporting

Follow-Up
p
Report the incident
 Watch the involved children more closely
 Prevent retaliation
 Issue more severe consequences if
bullying continues
 Report
R
repeat incidents
d
 Pull the video. Maintain good
g
documentation.

Remember:
You can STOP the
Y
th b
bullying!
ll i !
You CAN make a
difference in a child’s
child s life!
Questions?

Resources
•
Virginia Commonwealth University
•
Olweus Bullying Prevention Program www.olweus.org/public/bullying.page
•
www.FreeFromBullies.com
•
www.how-to-stop-bullying.com
•
www.SafeYouth.org
•
www.Stopcyberbullying.com
•
www.antibullyingweek.com
•
www.bullybeware.com
•
www.don’tfeedthebully.com
•
www.safeschools.com
•
www.parentsconnect.com/bullying
•
Federal News Services
•
School Transportation Director, June 26 Issue, 2006