Bullying: Focus for 2005-06
Definition
| Dealing with Bullying | Nomination form
Davisville Middle School has identified bullying
as its main focus for the ’05-’06 school year.
Toward that end the guidance counselors, Ann Sullivan (6th &7th)
and Paula Guida (8th), have been visiting each of the advisories
to educate students about various facets of bullying. As
part of the guidance presentation bullying is defined and discussed
as a deterrent to learning. Ways to address the various
forms of bullying are explored. Discussions also include
the need for a school-wide approach for interrupting the cycle
of bullying.
Definition of Bullying
Bullying is the persistent inappropriate use of power over another individual or group.
Forms of Bullying
Verbal – name calling, threats, putdowns
Physical – hitting, shoving, punching, kicking, tripping, spitting, scratching
Social – shunning, ignoring, excluding
Psychological – spreading rumors, stalking, dirty looks, hiding or damaging possessions
Cyber - instant messaging or emailing hurtful or damaging messages
We ask for your help at home to recognize if your child is either being bullied or is displaying bullying behaviors. If you believe that you need the school’s assistance in addressing the problem please contact the school.
DEALING WITH BULLYING
The Davisville Middle School Bullying Prevention program was presented to the PTO on October 28th by members of the anti-bullying committee. Parents requested that the school provide practical and everyday coping strategies to use at home in order to support the school’s anti-bullying initiative to deter, prevent, and stop bullying. One of the best ways to help stop or prevent bullying is to be educated on the issue. Please visit the bullying prevention websites provided. The warning signs and strategies below have been culled from a variety of resources on bullying prevention.
Targets of bullying may experience…
* Low self-esteem
* Clinical depression
* Anxiety disorders
* Tics or other nervous habits
* Frequent crying
* Suicidal ideation and attempts
* Sleep disorders
* Gastrointestinal and dermatologic problems
* Substance abuse and dependence problems
Signs that a child is being bullied…
* Reluctance to attend school and activities
* Unexplained drop in grades
* Reluctance to walk to and from school
* Change in sleep patterns
* Depressed mood
* Unexplained anxiety
* Reluctance to talk about what’s happening at school
Student responses to bullying:
* Tell parents, friends, teachers, counselors, assistant principal
* Keep a record of all the incidents: who, when, where, what
* walk away, take away the bully’s power
* try not to show anger or fear
* stand up for yourself - say “stop saying ( or doing ) that”
* try not to be alone – walk with others
* keep your cool (think of S.T.A.R. strategy)
* use humor
* walk with a confident posture: head up, no slouching
* join school anti-bullying program
* sit near the front of the bus
* sit with friends at lunch
* avoid areas of the school where there are not many teachers or students around
* take a different route through the hallways
* REPORT IT!
Parent responses to child being bullied:
* Listen to your child
* Discuss appropriate student responses to bullying
* Keep a record of all the incidents: who, when, where, what
* Report it to the Asst. Principal
* Have practice role playing situations to encourage confidence
* Tell your child that he/she did nothing wrong; it’s not his/her fault
* Tell your child that he/she has a right to feel safe
* Encourage your child to be respectful of others
Bystander’s responses to a friend being bullied:
* Defend the victim publicly
* Refuse to join in with the bullying behaviors: don’t laugh at mean jokes or putdowns; (remember, it could be you next time):
* Correct classmates who engage in bullying behavior: say, it’s not cool to say or do that
* Try to be a friend to the person being bullied
* Keep an eye on bullied kids
* Encourage victims to report it
* Report it yourself
Websites for Bullying Prevention
http://42explore.com/bully.htm
http://www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/index.asp
http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/problems/bullies.html
Teacher Nomination Form
Our Peer Leadership Team is designed to empower students to create a positive school by interrupting the cycle of bullying. Our students will be trained to understand what bullying and teasing looks like and where it can happen. The most crucial part of the training is the Commitment to Excellence. This is a list of behaviors to which we expect our Leadership Students to adhere. Not only are they asked to be role models for good behavior, but they are also asked to take action against bullying and teasing.
With this mission in mind, we are asking you to consider any student as a nominee for the Peer Leadership Team. It need not be the most gregarious student in your class, but perhaps a quiet, steady presence, one who exerts a positive influence in groups, or maybe is an engaging extrovert.
You may nominate a student from your classes or one that you have had the opportunity to work with outside of the classroom (coaching, tutoring, clubs, etc.). Any student that you have had the opportunity to observe having demonstrated or possessed the potential for leadership characteristics is a fine nomination.
Students nominated will be invited to join the Peer Leadership Team.
Thanks.
Student Nomination:__________________________________
Grade:_________ Team:___________
Nominating Teacher:__________________________________
 Staff:
Davisville Middle School guidance
staff
Wickford Middle School guidance staff
Study
Skills: A few hints to help you get organized
Success
Plan: Not doing too well so far? This contract will help
you focus.
DMS
Career Day: Take a look at Career Day 2003
LINKS:
School
Struggles? Parent Questions? Fun information??
Career exploration??
THE PROBLEM KID PROBLEM SOLVER (lots of solutions &
strategies)
Career
Awareness: 8th grade School to Career activities and information.
See CAREER HOME. Links galore to all kinds of stuff!!
Grade
9 information: Here you will find a list of grade
9 courses, some general
information and updated course selection information. |