When parents are involved with their child

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Working Together to Combat Bullying in Our School
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Bullying is intentional hurtful behavior,
repeated over time.
Bullying can be

• Physical.
• Verbal.
• Emotional.

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Bullying is intentional hurtful behavior,
repeated over time.
Bullying can

• Be out in the open or subtle.
• Involve a single bully or a group.
• Take place on cell phones and computers.

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Bullying causes victims to be

• Afraid.
• Ashamed.
• Angry.
• Embarrassed.

The actions of bullies DO hurt children and
affect their ability to learn.
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• Bullying is a growing problem.

In general, schools are safer. But bullying is on
the rise.
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• Bullying is a growing problem.

32 of middle and high school students said they
had been bullied.
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• Bullying is a growing problem.

According to the National Institutes of Health, a
child is bullied on the playground every 7
minutes.
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• No relief for victims of bullying.

Bullies use

• Text messages.
• Social networking.
• Other technology.

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• Anyone can be a bully

• All ages.
• Boys and girls.
• All levels of the schools social pecking order.

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Bullying ? Absences
Every day, bullying causes 160,000 students to
miss school.
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Bullying ? Problems in school
Victims often experience a decline in grades.
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Bullying ? Violence
Tragically, bullying has led some students to
take their own lives or the lives of others.
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• We want our students to understand

• Bullying hurts everyone.
• We wont condone it.
• Adults will always be there to help.

Bullying is NOT cool or the thing to do.
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• Parents have a key role to play

Parents have a key role to play to combat
bullying.
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What should you do if your child tells you hes
being bullied?
Do not call the parents of the other student.
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• If your child is a victim

Gather as much information as you can

• Where does this bullying occur?
• When?

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• If your child is a victim

Gather as much information as you can

• Write down the facts.
• Make copies of any text messages or pages from
  social networking sites.

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• If your child is a victim

Meet with our staff

• Talk with your childs teacher.
• Ask if anyone has noticed changes in her
  behavior.

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• If your child is a victim

Share information

• Explain your concerns.
• Share the information you gathered.
• Ask how you and the school can work together.

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• If your child is a victim

Talk with your child

• Urge him not to retaliate.

• Act as if comments dont bother him.

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• If your child is a victim

Talk with your child

• Unplug from social media.
• Be sure he has a chance to do things he enjoys.

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• Warning signs include

• Not wanting to go to school.
• Sudden change in behavior.
• Repeated loss of personal belongings.

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• Warning signs include

• Unexplained injuries.
• Sudden drop in school performance.

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• If you are the parent of a bully

Dont ignore your suspicions

• Talk with your child.
• Let him know that bullying is unacceptable.
• Set consequences.

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• If you are the parent of a bully

Talk with the school

• Do they think your child could be bullying other
  students?
• Ask the school to contact you.

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• If you are the parent of a bully

Let the school know you support the school-wide
effort to combat bullying.
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• If you are the parent of a bully

Monitor technology

• Have complete access to your childs social
  networking sites or cell phone.

• Move the computer out of her bedroom.
• Take away her cell phone if necessary.

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• If you are the parent of a bully

You are a role model

• Treat others with respect, courtesy and empathy.

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88 of students said they had witnessed bullying
at their school. When bystanders keep silent, a
bully feels more powerful.
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If you are the parent of a bystander
Encourage your child to

• Always report bullying to an adult.
• Show her disapproval.
• Tell the bully to stop.
• Support the victim.

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What if you simply want to do everything you can
to make sure your child is neither a bully nor a
victim?
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Learn the rules

• Know our schools policy on bullying.
• Check the student handbook or school website.
• Discuss these rules at home.

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Review existing law

• NJ Anti-Bullying Law
• Most strict in the nation
• Passed in November 2010
• Signed by Gov. in
• January 2010
• TOOK EFFECT
• SEPTEMBER 1st, 2011

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• What does the law mean?
• Gives a clear definition of bullying
• Places importance on School Climate
• Requires Transparency
• Sets Protocols and Deadlines
• Includes Consequences

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Our District Policy HIB Defines bullying
as any gesture, any written, verbal, physical
act, or electronic communication based on
perceived characteristics of target such as
race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin,
gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or
expression, . that takes place on school
grounds, school sponsored functions, school bus,
or off school grounds, in accordance with the
law, that substantially disrupts or interferes
with the orderly operation of the school or the
rights of other students
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• Our District Policy
• Individuals involved in Investigation
• Victim
• Perpretator
• Bystanders
• Principal
• Anti-Bullying District Coordinator (leads
  Anti-Bullying Specialists, Revises Policy, makes
  District level changes)
• School Anti-Bullying Specialist (chairs safety
  committee in SLC, go-to person for bullying)
• Safety Team (fosters in-school involvement by
  taking part in clubs, contests, etc to involve
  everyone, lead by Anti-Bully Specialist

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Investigations Anti-Bully Specialist or Principal
Investigate immediately Same day verbal report to
principal Follow up two days later Investigation
completed within 10 days Two days later principal
sends report to State Superintendent Written
report to parent 5 days later Parent can request
a hearing within 10 days BOE releases report at
next BOE meeting Appeals to State Commissioner
90 Days after hearing
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• Principals must
• Inform parents and all guardians involved within
  24 hours
• Discipline Imposed (based on Code of Conduct)

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Let your child know that the school takes
bullying seriouslyand so do you.
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Communicate your values

• When children know that bullying is unacceptable,
  they are unlikely to become bullies.

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Lets work together to make this a safe school
for everyone.