A Community A Community UnitesUnites

to Fight a to Fight a Common EnemyCommon Enemy

Who We AreWho We Are

Valdosta/Lowndes Teens Against Bullying is a Valdosta/Lowndes Teens Against Bullying is a group of educators, elected officials, community group of educators, elected officials, community members, and students who are advocating to members, and students who are advocating to stop bullying in our schools and communities. stop bullying in our schools and communities.

Trained, high school students are positioned on Trained, high school students are positioned on teams to teach an anti-bullying curriculum and teams to teach an anti-bullying curriculum and spend a day in Valdosta City and Lowndes spend a day in Valdosta City and Lowndes County 4th grade schools. County 4th grade schools.

What is our Purpose ?What is our Purpose ?Through representation in Valdosta/Lowndes Teens Against Through representation in Valdosta/Lowndes Teens Against

Bullying by existing and emerging student leaders, our Bullying by existing and emerging student leaders, our schools are alerted to problems, opportunities, strengths and schools are alerted to problems, opportunities, strengths and weaknesses in building a safer school system. weaknesses in building a safer school system. Valdosta/Lowndes Teens Against Bullying seeks out young Valdosta/Lowndes Teens Against Bullying seeks out young leaders in the student population from two public high leaders in the student population from two public high schools. Together, the participants of Valdosta/Lowndes schools. Together, the participants of Valdosta/Lowndes Teens Against Bullying seek mutual understanding of the Teens Against Bullying seek mutual understanding of the problems of bullying and how it can be resolved, thereby problems of bullying and how it can be resolved, thereby enhancing our schools. The participants profit from getting enhancing our schools. The participants profit from getting to know each other and from the formal and informal to know each other and from the formal and informal exchange of ideas and experiences. They gain knowledge exchange of ideas and experiences. They gain knowledge and understanding from authorities on a wide variety of and understanding from authorities on a wide variety of bullying subjects. Thus, Valdosta/Lowndes Teens Against bullying subjects. Thus, Valdosta/Lowndes Teens Against Bullying prepares them for an active role in advocacy Bullying prepares them for an active role in advocacy against bullying. against bullying.

TAB Leadership TeamTAB Leadership Team• Lowndes High Skills USA students (5)Lowndes High Skills USA students (5)• Valdosta High Student Representatives (5)Valdosta High Student Representatives (5)• Lowndes High DCT CoordinatorLowndes High DCT Coordinator• Valdosta High School CounselorValdosta High School Counselor• Lowndes High School CounselorLowndes High School Counselor• Elementary Level School CounselorElementary Level School Counselor• Mayor of ValdostaMayor of Valdosta• Valdosta State University Department of Sociology Valdosta State University Department of Sociology

ProfessorProfessor• Coastal Plaines RESA Health SpecialistCoastal Plaines RESA Health Specialist• Valdosta City Schools Safe & Drug Free DirectorValdosta City Schools Safe & Drug Free Director• The Haven Rape Crisis Advocate (community)The Haven Rape Crisis Advocate (community)• USDA Rural Department representative (community)USDA Rural Department representative (community)

TAB CommitteeTAB Committee

• Logistics/FinancialLogistics/Financial – Plan program and solicit – Plan program and solicit monies for curriculum, shirts, transportation, etc.monies for curriculum, shirts, transportation, etc.

• Public RelationsPublic Relations – Advertise and solicit support – Advertise and solicit support for TAB in communityfor TAB in community

• CurriculumCurriculum- Plan the curriculum that will be - Plan the curriculum that will be taught to high school students who will redeliver taught to high school students who will redeliver to City and County 4to City and County 4thth graders graders

• RetreatRetreat- Plan the training day for high school - Plan the training day for high school students (mandatory attendance)- Location, students (mandatory attendance)- Location, Food, Supplies, ScheduleFood, Supplies, Schedule

Logistics/FinancialLogistics/Financial

1.1. Solicits monies from area businesses to Solicits monies from area businesses to pay for the retreat, curriculum and other pay for the retreat, curriculum and other supplies. One business agreed to sponsor supplies. One business agreed to sponsor the T-shirt.the T-shirt.

2.2. Handles money and purchase of supplies. Handles money and purchase of supplies.

3.3. Schedules the visits to the schools Schedules the visits to the schools through the elementary school counselor through the elementary school counselor and/or principals.and/or principals.

4.4. Arranges transportation to and from each Arranges transportation to and from each site.site.

Public RelationsPublic Relations

1.1. Prepares brochures for advertisement Prepares brochures for advertisement purposes and to aid in solicitation for purposes and to aid in solicitation for support.support.

2.2. Prepares poster advertisements and Prepares poster advertisements and application for approval by leadership application for approval by leadership team.team.

3.3. Contacts local print and broadcast media Contacts local print and broadcast media for coverage of the event.for coverage of the event.

4.4. Sends “thank you” letters to supporters.Sends “thank you” letters to supporters.

CurriculumCurriculum

1.1. Selects training materials for students to Selects training materials for students to redeliver.redeliver.

2.2. Prepares and plans training for students on Prepares and plans training for students on bullying issues and understanding of bullying bullying issues and understanding of bullying at the retreat. Consults with Retreat team on at the retreat. Consults with Retreat team on training schedule.training schedule.

3.3. Prepares handouts and activities for 4Prepares handouts and activities for 4 thth grade grade students.students.

4.4. Develops Pre and Post tests based on Develops Pre and Post tests based on curriculum. Organizes leadership team for curriculum. Organizes leadership team for calculating data.calculating data.

Curriculum GoalsCurriculum Goals

1.1. Understanding the Bully and the Victim Understanding the Bully and the Victim The student will understand the problem The student will understand the problem posed by bullying. The student will posed by bullying. The student will understand how to recognize and understand how to recognize and understand the feelings of a bully as well as understand the feelings of a bully as well as the victim.the victim.

2.2. What to do with the problem of bullyingWhat to do with the problem of bullying

The student will learn and demonstrate how The student will learn and demonstrate how to handle a situation where bullying is to handle a situation where bullying is occurring.occurring.

Resources for Resources for CurriculumCurriculum

While there are many curriculum items that While there are many curriculum items that will achieve the goals addressed for will achieve the goals addressed for curriculum. Here is the one we used:curriculum. Here is the one we used:

Bully Busters: A Teacher’s Manual for Bully Busters: A Teacher’s Manual for Helping Bullies, Victims, and Bystanders Helping Bullies, Victims, and Bystanders (Grades K-5)(Grades K-5)

c 2003, Arthur Horne, Christi Bartolomucci, c 2003, Arthur Horne, Christi Bartolomucci, Dawn Newman-Carlson, Champaign, IL: Dawn Newman-Carlson, Champaign, IL: Research Press (800) 519-2707.Research Press (800) 519-2707.

Resource LessonsResource LessonsGoal 1Goal 1• Activity 4.2 Bully? Who, Me? (Looks at student as a check list to see Activity 4.2 Bully? Who, Me? (Looks at student as a check list to see

if he/she is a bully or has been a bully.)if he/she is a bully or has been a bully.)• Activity 5.2 Bully, Be Gone! (Looks at victim’s and bully’s feelings Activity 5.2 Bully, Be Gone! (Looks at victim’s and bully’s feelings

and how others view them.)and how others view them.)

Goal 2Goal 2• Activity 2.4 One for All (Situations given where students act out and Activity 2.4 One for All (Situations given where students act out and

decide who is bully and who is victim)decide who is bully and who is victim)• Activity 7.6 My Toolbox (After discussion, the student develops a Activity 7.6 My Toolbox (After discussion, the student develops a

toolbox of ideas of how to handle a bullying situation.)toolbox of ideas of how to handle a bullying situation.)• Activity 2.3 The Drop Box (Student is given blank forms for note to Activity 2.3 The Drop Box (Student is given blank forms for note to

teacher/counselor to use if he/she needs extra help with a bully teacher/counselor to use if he/she needs extra help with a bully situation.)situation.)

RetreatRetreat

1.1. Selects location.Selects location.

2.2. Communicates schedule to leadership Communicates schedule to leadership team and selected students.team and selected students.

3.3. Consults with curriculum and financial Consults with curriculum and financial team in planning for meals and program.team in planning for meals and program.

4.4. Sets up the location and makes sure site Sets up the location and makes sure site is conducive for learning. is conducive for learning.

5.5. Cleans up after retreat.Cleans up after retreat.

Selecting Student Selecting Student MembersMembers

The sophomore, junior, or senior can be self-nominated or The sophomore, junior, or senior can be self-nominated or nominated by an individual. He or she will be asked to nominated by an individual. He or she will be asked to complete a detailed application which is returned to the complete a detailed application which is returned to the school principal. Participants in Valdosta/Lowndes school principal. Participants in Valdosta/Lowndes Teens Against Bullying are selected after consideration Teens Against Bullying are selected after consideration of their recognized interest in anti-bullying and potential of their recognized interest in anti-bullying and potential leadership. The group is comprised of students leadership. The group is comprised of students representing the two local public high schools. A racial, representing the two local public high schools. A racial, gender, and school balance is also achieved to ensure gender, and school balance is also achieved to ensure the program is representative of individuals from the program is representative of individuals from throughout the community and indicative of a variety of throughout the community and indicative of a variety of social, economic, and professional concerns. social, economic, and professional concerns.

Nomination CriteriaNomination Criteria

Nominations are for sophomores, juniors, and seniors in Nominations are for sophomores, juniors, and seniors in Lowndes County Schools and Valdosta City Schools Lowndes County Schools and Valdosta City Schools who feel as though bullying in any form (physical and/or who feel as though bullying in any form (physical and/or mental) should not be tolerated. These students must mental) should not be tolerated. These students must have good attendance (minimal tardies and absences), have good attendance (minimal tardies and absences), must have no more than two discipline referrals per year, must have no more than two discipline referrals per year, and must be committed to a drug-free lifestyle. Two and must be committed to a drug-free lifestyle. Two recommendation forms from both a school employee recommendation forms from both a school employee and a non-family adult member, a photo, and the signed and a non-family adult member, a photo, and the signed release form must be attached to the application.release form must be attached to the application.

The Leadership committee will meet to select student The Leadership committee will meet to select student members based on the applications.members based on the applications.

Basic OverviewBasic Overview

• Selection of 20 youth from Valdosta City Schools and Selection of 20 youth from Valdosta City Schools and 20 from Lowndes County Schools (40 participants). 20 from Lowndes County Schools (40 participants).

• Divide students into groups of 4 participants. Each Divide students into groups of 4 participants. Each group will be required to present an anti-bullying group will be required to present an anti-bullying session to a Valdosta City or Lowndes County school session to a Valdosta City or Lowndes County school (each school will have a full day session). (each school will have a full day session).

• The organization will cover all costs and expenses The organization will cover all costs and expenses throughout the day. All meals will be provided throughout the day. All meals will be provided (including snack and lunch). (including snack and lunch).

• Expected high school departure time at 8:00 am and Expected high school departure time at 8:00 am and return by 2:45 pm. return by 2:45 pm.

EvaluationEvaluation

A pre and post test is given to the 4A pre and post test is given to the 4 thth grade grade students to see what they know about the students to see what they know about the curriculum and how effective the lessons and curriculum and how effective the lessons and presenters are in teaching the message.presenters are in teaching the message.

TAB students complete a survey on their TAB students complete a survey on their experience with the program.experience with the program.

Planning from the results will greater improve this Planning from the results will greater improve this endeavor.endeavor.

CelebrationCelebration

The news and print media covered a The news and print media covered a celebration at one of the elementary celebration at one of the elementary schools as the Mayor of the City of schools as the Mayor of the City of Valdosta signed and presented a Valdosta signed and presented a proclamation naming the day TAB Day in proclamation naming the day TAB Day in the City of Valdosta. High school principals the City of Valdosta. High school principals and the two superintendents visited the and the two superintendents visited the school sites during the day to place an school sites during the day to place an emphasis and support for this endeavor. emphasis and support for this endeavor.

ContinuationContinuation

What started as a Skills USA class project will What started as a Skills USA class project will grow to be an annual event where the two area grow to be an annual event where the two area high schools and school systems will unite to high schools and school systems will unite to fight against bullying in the schools and fight against bullying in the schools and community. Returning student leaders will be community. Returning student leaders will be placed on the Leadership Team and new and placed on the Leadership Team and new and existing sponsors will be recruited. Student existing sponsors will be recruited. Student leaders will reapply for membership in TAB. In 8 leaders will reapply for membership in TAB. In 8 years all students in the two systems will be years all students in the two systems will be exposed to the dangers of bullying through the exposed to the dangers of bullying through the yearly teaching of this curriculum. yearly teaching of this curriculum.