WELCOME TO THE CHEHALIS MIDDLE SCHOOL PARENT RESOURCE NIGHT

A PARENT’S GUIDE TO BULLYING AND HARASSMENT

Chehalis Middle School

Bullying: A Definition

Bullying occurs whenever an individual or group intentionally intimidates, frightens, torments or harms another person.

Bullying behavior is usually persistent and consistent over an extended period of time.

Source: http://www.k12.wa.us/SafetyCenter/BullyingHarassment/pubdocs/BullyinginWashingtonSchools.pdf

A Few Facts About Bullying

Studies show that between 15–25 percent of

U.S. students are bullied with some frequency (“sometimes or more often”)

while 15–20 percent report that they bully others with some frequency.

Source: http://www.stopbullying.gov/community/tip_sheets/about_bullying.pdf

Bullying Can Take Many Forms Physical: hitting, shoving, stealing or

damaging property

Verbal: name calling, mocking, making hurtful comments (sexist, racist or derogatory comments about appearance or sexual orientation)

Social: excluding others from a group or spreading gossip or rumors about them

Bullying and Gender

Boys are more likely to be physically bullied by their peers.

Girls are more likely to report being targets of rumors spreading and sexual comments.

Girls are more likely to bully each other using social exclusion.

Source: http://www.stopbullying.gov/community/tip_sheets/about_bullying.pdf

Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying – Spreading threats, rumors and hurtful comments by e-mail, cellphone or text messaging

Examples of Cyberbullying

Sending hurtful, rude, or mean text messages to others

Spreading rumors or lies about others by e-mail or on social networks

Taking and sharing photos of others without that person’s permission.

Creating websites, videos or social media profiles that embarrass, humiliate, or make fun of others

Source: http://www.stopbullying.gov/topics/cyberbullying/

The Rise of Cyberbullying

Slightly more than four in ten teens (43%) report that they have experienced some form of cyberbullying in the last year.

The incidence of cyberbullying is higher among females than males; and is most prevalent among 15 and 16-year-olds, particularly among girls.

Source: National Crime Prevention Council

http://www.ncpc.org/resources/files/pdf/bullying/Teens%20and%20Cyberbullying%20Research%20Study.pdf

The Appeal of Cyberbullying

The technologies provide a sense of anonymity. Many students have 24/7 access to a variety of

personal technologies. Students may see their online personas as if they

were outside themselves. (It’s not really me.) Students do these things because they get some

kind of positive personal or social feedback. Students see a lot of the activities as fun. (I was

joking.)

The Appeal of Cyberbullying

Nearly six in ten teens (58%) said the cyberbully “probably didn’t see the action as a big deal.”

Nearly half of teens said that cyberbullying happens because the cyberbully doesn’t perceive any tangible consequences (47%) or feels he or she would not get caught (45%).

Source: National Crime Prevention Council

http://www.ncpc.org/resources/files/pdf/bullying/Teens%20and%20Cyberbullying%20Research%20Study.pdf

Ways to Prevent Cyberbullying

Keep the computer is a common area

Make sure your child’s social networking site it set to private and be a member of your child’s site.

Teach your child about internet safety and privacy

Make sure that you know their screen names and passwords and that they don't include any personal information in their online profiles.

Source: National Crime Prevention Council

http://www.ncpc.org/topics/cyberbullying/stop-cyberbullying

Ways to Prevent Cyberbullying

Regularly go over their instant messenger "buddy list" with them. Ask who each person is and how your children know him or her.

Discuss cyberbullying with your children and ask if they have ever experienced it or seen it happen to someone.

Tell your children that you won't blame them if they are cyberbullied. Emphasize that you won't take away their computer privileges - this is the main reason kids don't tell adults when they are cyberbullied.

Source: National Crime Prevention Council

http://www.ncpc.org/topics/cyberbullying/stop-cyberbullying

Knowing the Lingo

Can you translate this commonly used chat and text phrases?

FTF

Face to Face

CWYL

Chat With You Later

Knowing the Lingo

Can you translate this commonly used chat and text phrases?

PAW

Parents are Watching

WYRN

What’s your real name?

CMS Bullying Policy

When students report an incident to a staff member, or a staff member witnesses an incident, steps are taken to resolve the

conflict:

1st step – Students meet with counselor or designated staff member. Steps are taken to resolve the conflict.

2nd step – If conduct continues, an administrator meets with the students to determine fault. A formal harassment warning is issued to the offending student(s).

CMS Bullying Policy

3rd step – If conduct continues, an administrator will perform a further investigation and any offending student(s) will be disciplined or suspended.

A complete version of the CMS Bullying and Harassment policy can be found in your

child’s student agenda. The CMS staff is here and ready to help if you have questions.

Thank You

Thank you attending Parent Resource Night!

I would like to take a moment to thank the following people who helped with the

making of this presentation:

The Teachers and Staff at Chehalis Middle Schooland the

Chehalis Police Department