Overview

Highlight for HIB

In-service

A school-based overview related to NJSA: 18A, 37-15 (3)(b)(3)

In-service presentation, 9/2/08John C. Lestino, MA

District School PsychologistEdgewater Park Schools

Three Sound Bites to RememberThree Sound Bites to Remember• School Climate is most important factor

affecting nature and extent of bullying in school.

• Bystanders play crucial role in dynamics of bullying behavior.

• Committed Coordinating Committee is most important feature of a bullying prevention program:– spearheads the effort– maintains momentum– keeps issue on front burner

PBSIS Project and the SWPBS Model

Two Ways in Which Power Is Two Ways in Which Power Is Determined in Social GroupsDetermined in Social Groups

Agonic• Resource-holding

potential• Toughest wins the

most fights

Hedonic• Power determined by

social attention• Achieve status by

showing talent, being knowledgeable and/ or attractiveness

Social Development In Social Development In Early and Mid-AdolescenceEarly and Mid-Adolescence

• Increased importance of peer relationships

– Look to peers for guidance on behavior and affirmation of individual worth

• Development of young person’s racial, ethnic, religious, sexual/gender identity

– May lead to hostility toward those who are “different”…i.e. so called non-normative…

• Important period of social development – Behavior patterns learned during this time usually

persist

LGBT

• Gay Teen's Killing Labeled a Hate Crime

• By REBECCA CATHCART, The New York Times

• Posted: 2008-02-23 17:20:18

• Filed Under: Nation News

It’s the law…http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2000/Bills/S2500/2408_I1.HTM

NJSA: 18A, 37-15 (3)(b)(3) or “The 10 Commandmentsplus, 1…”

1.   Prohibition2.   Definition

3.   Description4.   Consequences5.   Procedure(s)6.   Principal/Promptness7.   Range of Responses8.   Prohibition of Reprisals9.   Falsely Accused

10. Policy Publication11. Employee Training

A Definition of Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying…

“Harassment, intimidation or bullying” means any gesture or written, verbal or physical act that takes place on school property, at any school-sponsored function or on a school bus and that…

is motivated by any actual or perceived characteristic, such as race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or a mental, physical or sensory disability; or

by any other distinguishing characteristic; and

a reasonable person should know, under the circumstances, that the act(s) will have the effect of harming a student or damaging the student’s property; or

has the effect of insulting or demeaning any student or group of students in such a way as to cause substantial disruption in, or substantial interference with, the orderly operation of the school…

Reconciliation

Unified Discipline Unified Discipline (White, 1996)(White, 1996)

• Clearly described school and classroom rules

• Similar and consistent correction procedures when students misbehave

• Roles and responsibilities are described for all school personnel

Doll, et alDoll, et al..

Social and Emotional Learning

CASEL: Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning

Frank J. Epifanio, PhD, NCSP

Rowan University

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Special thanks…. For the excerpts on cyber-bullying adapted from:

Dr. Frank Epifanio…Rowan University, NASP, 2008

• Name calling, teasing, insults

• Often considered part of a normal stage of development

• Teachers may not be sensitive to this type of bullying (Bauman, 2005)

• Can easily escalate to physical bullying

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–Cyber bullying is a form of relational aggression (bullying) that causes fear, isolation, and humiliation among its victims

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• Research has shown that bullying can seriously affect the mental and physical health of children and has a deleterious effect on their academic work.

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• Children who are bullied are more likely than non-bullied children to suffer from anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem

• Victims are also more likely than their age-mates to think about taking their own lives

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• Preliminary research indicates that victims of cyber bullying experience the same mental health risks as victims of school yard bullying

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• Teenagers are adept at manipulating photos and posting them online

• With camera phones and camera videos they are able to take pictures of fellow students in various situations – lavatories, locker rooms, etc.

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• Instant Messaging (IMs)

• Electronic Mail

• Text Messaging (SMS)

• Social Networking Sites

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• Chat Rooms

• Blogs

• Web Sites

• Internet Gaming

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• Flaming

• Harassment

• Denigration

• Impersonation

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• Outing/Trickery

• Exclusion/Ostracism

• Cyber stalking

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School wide prevention programs are critical and this prevention needs to infused throughout the curriculum.

Cyber bullying and bullying prevention need to be part of the district’s character education program

Cyber safety also needs to be taught at every level of technology training for students and staff

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• Teach kids to use the save feature

–Save the evidence

• Print copies of messages and websites

• Use the save feature instant messages

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• Teach kids to use the blocking feature

– Ignore, delete, or block the sender

–Most e-mail, instant message programs, and cells phones have blocking features

• Blocking may not solve the problem – many kids are tech savvy and are able to set up proxy servers to bypass blocks.

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• Web spaces usually have a link to report to a moderator

–The link for reporting cyber bullying can usually be found on the help menu of most websites

• For example My Space has a help center on its site that provides a link for reporting offensive or threatening content

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Students need to know that they can tell a trusted adult.

Many students do not believe that adults will be helpful and they fear retribution if it get out that they “ratted”

Set up a system so that bystanders can anonymously alert adults if they believe a fellow student is being targeted by a cyber bully

Agaston, 2007

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Who can help?

HIB ‘consultation highway’

Confirm discussion with your building principal and/or designee.

Be prompt. Relay your perspective of why you are requesting a

HIB consultation. Discuss your concerns with the parent(s). Report on-going progress or concerns. Review appropriate classroom procedures,

discussion, and/or consultation strategies, interventions, and/or techniques.

Inform other appropriate school staff in a timely fashion….e.g. Grade-level colleague(s), counselor(s), school nurse, CST, other staff…