PREVENTION ROCKS

HOW TO DEVELOP A SCHOOLBASED PROGRAM WHICH

Builds a Peaceful and Safe School Climate

Eliminates Bullying/HarassmentPromotes Social Responsibility

LONG BEACH ISLAND

Impact of Bullying

Types of Bullying

Direct Aggression Indirect or Relational Aggression Cyberbullying

Profiles of Victims/Bullies

Causes of Bullying

Need for power, status and/or control Proactive protection Lack of empathy/social responsibility Peer pressure Jealousy Boredom

When to intervene

Teach students what bullying is and:

That they have a right to be treated with fairness and respect at all times

To tell an adult if they can not handle a bullying situation

That it is identified by what is experienced rather than intended

That bullies thrive off the sense of power and control they get from their behaviors

Model the behaviors, attitudes and beliefs you want students to learn

Share of yourself so students feel comfortable talking about themselves

Develop classrooms and school communities within which all students feel comfortable and safe

“Raise the bar” of expectations by letting students know that they need to demonstrate caring and social responsibility at all times

Take advantage of every “teachable moment” to help students develop social/emotional skills such as empathy, fairness and impulse control

Continually reinforce concepts such as effective conflict resolution, standing up for others, peacemaking, etc. during academic lessons

Teach students how to step backchoose their reaction to events (going to the balcony)

Teach students that differences concerning culture, race, body type, ability, sexual orientation etc. should be recognized and respected

Enable students to identify and discuss what they are uniquely sensitive about

Help students learn how toput feelings into words so that they can be effectively communicated

Enable students to use creative arts to express their feelings, heal emotional wounds/trauma and discharge their excess energy

Collaboratively develop group norms for classroom conduct

Teach students how to “talk back”to irrational thoughts/beliefs

Help students learn how to usedeep breathing, visualization and meditation to overcomestress and achieve inner peace

Teach students to let go of their own self-judgments, take great care of themselves and talk to themselves like they are their own best friend

Allow students to talk about what is going on in their lives within a safe and supportive environment

Teach students skills to resolve conflict such as Socratic questioning, meta-communication and detachment

Use role-play and psychodrama to help students learn how to effectively respond to challenging situations

Use cooperative learning strategies to help students learn to work together effectively

Teach students how they can support each other academically, emotionally and socially

Provide students with opportunities to engage in team building activities

Hold “challenge days” where all students can get to know each other on a deeper level and build community

Use negotiation and consensus to teach students problem-solving skills and enable them to take greater ownership of classroom decisions, consequences, activities, etc.

Mobilize students to become involved in service projects to help them learn the rewards of helping others

Help students develop their social skills and make healthy choices regarding their friendships

Establish routine “check ins” at the beginning and end of each class and/or day to give a students an opportunity for reflection

Hold regular classroom meetings to help students get to know each other on a deeper level, resolve classroom problems, plan future events, etc.

Teach students strategies to respond effectively to bullies

Be directive Ask questions Offer to be helpful Use humor Behave unpredictably Detach and visualize a peaceful

place/activity

Mobilize “upstanders” to effectively intervene in bullying situations and recognize the impact of massive peer pressure over bullies

Establish a “peacemaking and antibullying patrol” made up of appropriate students

Hold assemblies where students can hear testimonials from students and/or adults about the toxic impact of bullying and develop enthusiasm to build a safe and respectful school

Encourage all students and staff to sign a pledge that they will do everything they can to promote a peaceful school and eliminate bullying/harassment

Have students put up a “wall of compliments” to counteract the putdowns which are so common

Have students make a video which demonstrates effective ways to eliminate bullying/harassment and show it to the entire school

Develop effective ways to reward students who demonstrate caring, responsible, etc. behavior such as increased privileges, school-wide recognition or the ability to attend a leadership conference at the school

Use guided and progressive discipline to teach students appropriate behaviors and social responsibiity

Three strike policyUse natural consequencesDecrease the social freedom of students

who exhibit inappropriate behaviors

Utilize intervention room for students who do not demonstrate that they are socially responsible enough to be part of the mainstream school community

Provide adult and/or peer mentors for students who are socially isolated and/or vulnerable to bullying

Develop support groups to help students increase their social skills, overcome emotional challenges, etc.

Provide training for all staff on how to build a caring school community and eliminate bullying/harassment

Make sure all school staff are continually of the lookout (especially in bullying hotspots) for inappropriate student behavior and bullying and intervene as soon as possible

Make sure every students has a positive connection to at least one adult within the school community

Train parents how to help their children respond effectively to bullying situations and how they can partner with the school to eliminate bullying/harassment

Inspire students to grow into their “best selves” and demonstrate their courage, heroism, etc. in their efforts to eliminate bullying and help to build a caring and peaceful school community

Resources to improve school climate and eliminate bullying/harassment

SAMSHA National Registry of Evidence Based Programs

No More Bullies, No More Victims (Cap Program) Stop Bullying Now (http://www.stopbullyingnow.gov) Edutopia (

Http://www.edutopia.org/groups/social-emotional-learning/stopbullying

Reviving Ophelia by Rachel Simmons Ophelia Project (www.opheliaproject.org)

Resources to improve school climate and eliminate bullying/harassment

Responsive Classroom (www.responsiveclassroom.org)

Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (www.olweus.org)

Mom, They’re Teasing Me by Michael Thompson

Character Education Partnership (http://www.character.org/promisingpractices)

Cyberbullying Research Center (http:/www.cyberbulling.us)