what to do about bullying in schools?. students cannot express their fears/concerns and begin to...
TRANSCRIPT
What to do about
bullying in
schools?
• Students cannot express their fears/concerns and begin to demonstrate physical symptoms, avoiding the situation, but at the cost of attending school!
•Bullying is a common experience for many children and adolescents. Surveys indicate that as many as half of all children are bullied at some time during their school years, and at least 10% are bullied on a regular basis.
•Bullying behavior can be physical or verbal.
•Children who are bullied experience real suffering that can interfere with their social and emotional development, as well as their school performance. Some victims of bullying have even attempted suicide rather than continue to endure such harassment and punishment.
•Children and adolescents who bully thrive on controlling or dominating others. They have often been the victims of physical abuse or bullying themselves. Bullies may also be depressed, angry or upset about events at school or at home. Children targeted by bullies also tend to fit a particular profile. Bullies often choose children who are passive, easily intimidated, or have few friends. Victims may also be smaller or younger, and have a harder time defending themselves.
•Bullies may also be depressed, angry or upset about events at school or at home. Children targeted by bullies also tend to fit a particular profile. Bullies often choose children who are passive, easily intimidated, or have few friends. Victims may also be smaller or younger, and have a harder time defending themselves.
•Without intervention, bullying can lead to serious academic, social, emotional and legal difficulties.
• Research professor of psychology affiliated with the Research Center for Health Promotion (HEMIL) at the University of Bergen in Norway.
• Has worked on bullying problems among schoolchildren and youth for nearly forty years.
•His earliest scientific study of bullying was published in Scandinavia in 1973 and in the United States in 1978 titled: Aggression in the Schools: Bullies and Whipping Boys.
•Dr. Olweus is generally recognized as a pioneer and founding father of research on bullying problems and as a world-leading expert in this area both by the research community and by society at large.
•He also was the first to study teachers who bully students.
Components of the OBPP
1.School-Level Component2.Classroom-Level Component3. Individual-Level Component4.Community-Level Component
INDIVIDUAL
COMMUNITY CLASSROOM
SCHOOL
General awareness and involvement on the part
of the adults in the school
1. What is the definition of bullying2. Different forms/types of bullying3. The prevalence if bullying4. Characteristics of bullied and bully5. Roles students take
At our school, we have seen amazing results after the first year– increased attendance,
increased student achievement, and decreased incidents that lead to suspensions.
Elementary Math and Science Coordinator
The core principles of OBPP Role of teacher in schoolwide
implementation Schoolwide components of the program
A school environment that’s safe helps kids come ready to learn, and maybe
that’s why our school [which uses OBPP] is one of the best ever.
-A middle school student
Principle 1: Warmth, positive interest, and involvement are needed on the part of the adults in the school
Principle 2: Firm limits to unacceptable behavior
Principle 3: Consistent use of nonphysical, nonhostile negative, consequences when rules are broken
Principle 4: Adults who function as authorities and positive role models
You have an important role to play in implementing OBPP in all areas of your
school, not just in the classroom.
Administration of Olweus Bullying Questionnaire
Discussion and enforcement of Schoolwide Anti-Bullying Rules
Class Meetings
Role-Playing
Involving Parents
OBPP presence in the classroom: posters, slogans, stickers, table tents, etc.
Sample of School Rules against Bullying that may be modified/customized
1. We will not bully others.2. We will try to help students who are bullied.3. We will try to include students who are left out.4. If we know that somebody id being bullied, we
will tell an adult at school and an adult at home.
There is a difference between ordinary classroom procedural rules such as raising your hand…
and rules about bullying, which concern fundamental human rights.
Sit in a circle or half circle Meetings should be held regularly,
preferably once a week for 30 to 40 minutes On a specific day and time of week You are the facilitator or leader of the group From time to time switch to small-group
discussions Let students consider a topic of discussion,
even current bully incident if it was handled Don’t allow intimidation during meetings Do not force bully experiences to come up Vary discussion approaches throughout the
year
Class meeting:
Role-playing without solutionsRole-plating with solutions
Kids love to share stories, and class meetings give them the opportunity to share while
conveying an anti-bullying message.
Prevention Specialist
Dealing with Bullying on Dealing with Bullying on the Individual Level the Individual Level Intervene on the spot
1.Stop the bullying2.Support the student who has been bullied in a way that allows him/her to regain control of his emotions and to “save face”3.Address the student(s) who bullied by naming the bullying behavior and refer to the Four Anti-bullying Rules4.Empower bystanders with appreciation or information about how to act in the future5.Impose immediate and appropriate consequences for the student(s) who bully6.Take steps to protect student bullied and prevent/protect from future bullying.
Partnering with Parents
Engage community support
Promote community support and anti-bullying message throughout
Facilitate partnership with community stakeholders
Ongoing relationship with certified Olweus
trainer
For grades 4 and up on yearly basis
Sustain OBPP efforts Enhance or expand
efforts
Evaluate impact Olweus Bullying
Questioneer Maintain data
Blueprint Model Program, Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence, University of Colorado at Boulder www.colorado.edu/cspv/blueprints/model/programs/BPP.html
Model Programs, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services www.modelprograms.samhsa.gov
Effective Program, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S. Department of Justice www.ojjdp.ncjrs.org
Level 2 Programs, U.S. Department of Education www.helpingamericasyouth.gov
Background information www.clemson.edu/olweus Purchasing materials www.hazelden.org/olweus