Bullying In Schools

1. BullyingIn Schools Committee Meeting February 29, 2012

2. Be Respectful at All Times! Meeting Procedures and Norms All conversation and discussion is to be considered confidential. Please do not use names or specific incidents. Wait to be recognized before speaking. Honor time limits.

3. What is Bullying? • Definition: Any gesture or written, verbal, graphic, or physical act (including electronically transmitted acts-i.e. internet, telephone or cell phone, personal digital assistant, or wireless hand held device) that, without regard to its subject matter or motivating animus, is intended or that a reasonable person would know is likely to harm (1) or more students either directly or indirectly by doing any of the following:

4. Definition cont’d………. • Substantially interfering with educational opportunities, benefits, or programs of one (1) or more students; • Adversely affecting the ability of a student participate in or benefit from the school district’s educational programs or activities by placing the student in reasonable fear of physical harm or by causing substantial emotional distress;

5. Definition cont’d………… • Having and actual and substantial detriment effect on a student’s physical or mental health; and/or • Causing substantial disruptions in, or substantial interference with, the orderly operation of the school. What does all of this mean?

6. More Definitions • MEMSPA: “Bullying is deliberate and hurtful behavior meant to belittle, frighten, hurt, or exclude someone. Bullying usually does not happen just once. It continues to happened over and over. • Olweus Definition of Bullying: “Bullying is when someone repeatedly and on purpose says or does mean or hurtful things to another person who has a hard time defending himself or herself”

7. Not all Conflict is Bullying…

8. Bullying is Not…….. • Not all acts of aggression are bullying—some are less serious than bullying and some are more serious. • Bullying does not include normal childhood sibling rivalry or one on one fighting with competing claims. • Not impulsive acts of aggression; acts that are spontaneous, indiscriminate striking out with no intended target • Not criminal acts that begun as conflicts and escalated (physical assaults, serious threats of physical assault, assaults with weapons, and vandalism.

9. Distinguishing Among….Olweus Prevention Program

10. Consequences and Discipline: • It is the Administrations job to determine both the validity and the consequences. Parents do not determine what consequences are enforced. Admin will not share consequences of other students with parents. • False reports or allegations is prohibited and will be consequenced as appropriate by the administration. NEW LEGISLATION:Matt’s Safe School Law Schools must: hold a public hearing and adopt a statement prohibiting Bullying. VCS School Board will do this on the June 6th . Hold Prompt Investigations (3-5 days) Notify both parents of the incident. Implement consequences for valid incidents Report number of incidents to the School Board Annually. This will take place at June meeting.

11. Current and Future Plans • Current Programs: • C.S.I. Bullying presentations for k-8 with Parent presentation was held last November. • 7th and 8th students are using Bully Academy program • 7th and 8th students will read “Bullying in Schools.” • 7th and 8th grade students are going participate in Social Lessons during Wrap-up. • Playground supervision and documentation plan has been implemented. • Elementary has implemented Guidance Counselor Lessons. • Future Programs: • Training for Bus Drivers on how to handle and recognize Bullying (video has been purchased). • Staff Training • Student Training • Bullying presentation to High School by local Army unit. • More………………………

12. Bullying is………….. • Not just a school problem! It is a student, a parent, a community, and a societal problem! • Not going away because of a policy! Conflicts will always occur and young people will always have to learn how to cope with conflicts and people that they have issues with. We need to help the victims cope with the issues! • Best prevented when peers take leadership roles and work to improve student interactions!

13. Open Discussion……….. • Examples: • Scenario #1 • Scenario #2 • Scenario #3 • Other……………

14. What Next? • Set next meeting. • Create statement prohibiting bullying for board to approve. • Update Handbook. • Identify appropriate professional development activities for staff. • Identify learning activities for students. • Educate parent on what bullying is and how to help their children. • Other………….