Bullying is NOT an Option

Hillcrest Middle School

I shall remember forever and will never forgetMonday: my money was taken.Tuesday: names called.Wednesday: my uniform torn.Thursday: my body pouring with blood.Friday: it’s ended.Saturday: freedom

A poem...

This poem was written by a 13 year old boy.

It was the last entry in Vijay’s diary.

Vijay was 13 years old when he wasfound hanging from the banister rail athome one Sunday. He committed suicide as a result of ongoing bullying.

Vijay is not the first and only child tocommit suicide because of bullying.

Ryan Halligan – 13 years old

Dawn Marie Wesley – 14 years old

Phoebe Prince – 15 Years old

There are many students all around the world who could be listed here.

They took their lives because they experienced one of the following:

Name calling, put downs, teasing Threats, beatings Relentless tauntings Constant ridicule Shunning, excluding, rumours, gossip Intimidating, tormenting

Physical Bullying

pushing kicking hitting spitting destroying someone’s property

Verbal Bullying

putdowns name-calling “dissing” taunting belittling

Social Bullying

excluding ignoring manipulating or use of body

posturing facial expressions eye contact

Social Bullying

When one or more of these are used to embarrass, humiliate or reject another person, they represent social bullying.

Cyberbullying

emailsinstant messagingcell phonesweb pagesblogschatrooms

When these are used to intimidate, harm, exclude or ruin a person’s reputation – they are forms of cyber bullying.

Healthy Relationships

Friendship Skills

In order to have friends…

You must first be a friend

There are basic principles involved in a healthy friendship

You control only 50% of the relationship

You can ask your friend to do something – but never make them do what they do not want to do.

True friends give their friends choices and not ultimatums.

You can influence 100% of the friendship

You can choose to be polite, respectful, share, compliment and encourage others.

Your friends will likely want to spend time with you when you treat them well.

If you yell, use putdowns, embarrass or intimidate others, they are less likely to want to spend time with you.

When someone says “no”, respect their decision. Honour their request and leave them alone.

Remember

You always have a choice about friendships

Everyone wants to feel that they belong

Be thankful for your friends

Ten ways to keep your friends

Show them kindness and respect Stick up for them Be supportive when your friends need help

or advice Tell the truth If you hurt someone, say you are sorry

If a friend hurts you and apologizes, accept the apology

If you make a promise, keep it Put an effort into your friendships otherwise

your friends might feel neglected Don’t try to change your friends. Accept

them the way they are Treat your friends the way that you would

like to be treated

Empathy the ability to feel another person’s concerns

True friends know how to empathize with one another

People with Empathy say…..

You look upset.

I understand how you feel.

I am sad that you are hurt.

I am happy for you.

People with Empathy ….

Notice when people are hurting, and feel for them.

Walk up and console them.

Comfort others when they are hurt or upset.

Feel happy for others when they win or succeed at something.

Taunting

Involves an imbalance of power

Is intended to harm and be hurtful

Involves humiliating, cruel, demeaningcomments or jokes

Includes laughing at the person and not with them

Is meant to diminish a person’s self-worth

Induces fear of further taunting

Continues even when the person is upset

When a bully says they were teasing…

They were really taunting.

They meant to be cruel, todemean the other person, as wellas intimidate, embarrass,humiliate and shame the person.

That’s what bullies do.

They must be stopped!

SAY SOMETHING!

Jonah...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE2mr7GHOQA

Become a Change Agent

Break the Habit!

You can choose to Shun Diversity or Tolerate Diversity or CELEBRATE Diversity

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uuqIQI3dww

• to be kind• to be positive• to celebrate and support others• to CARE

It is your choice!

You CAN choose...

Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier.

Be the living expression of kindness: kindness in your face, your eyes and in

your smile.

Mother Teresa