Bullying

bullying

from the Framingham Public Schools

Framingham Public School policy prohibiting bullying – www.framingham.k12.ma.us/Page/3026

Framingham Middle and High School Anti-Bullying Info – https://www.framingham.k12.ma.us/Page/3978

Links below currently are not working. Trying to find them since their website was updated.

Bullying Prevention can be found at http://www.framingham.k12.ma.us/bullying_prevention.cfm

Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan:

English | Español | Português

Secondary Level Bullying Prevention Brochure:

English | Español | Português

Elementary Level Bullying Prevention Brochure:

English | Español | Português

Incident Reporting Form

from Massachusetts Avocates for Children

MAC Bullying Fact Sheet

MA Law Relative to Bullying in Schools 

MA Law Relative to School Bullying Prevention Plans

MA Notification of Bullying or Retaliation Regulations

Addressing the Needs of Children with Disabilities in the IEP and in School Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plans – MA Department of Education 

general resources

Family Pizza Dinner and Safety Night with the Framingham Police Department sponsored by the Framingham Police Association presented by Officer Sean Riley Cyber Bullying and Safety

A Parent’s Guide to Bullying and additional info on bullying from Massachusetts Advocates for Children

Targeted Taunted and Tormented: The Bulling of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder booklet

Bullying @ NICHCY  – http://nichcy.org/schoolage/behavior/bullying

Bullying Prevention and Intervention Resources @ Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Educationhttp://www.doe.mass.edu/bullying/

NetSmartzhttp://www.netsmartz.org/ – Teaches about Internet Safety

National Center for Bullying Awarenesswww.pacer.org/bullying/index.asp – has activities and many resources for discussing bullying in the classroom.

www.bullying.org

www.bullybeware.com

Internet Safety Websites – from the Framingham Public Schools website – http://www.framingham.k12.ma.us/district_internetsafety.cfm

http://www.whoishostingthis.com/resources/cyberbullying-resources/ – Cyber Bullying Resources

resources for parents

The IEP and Bullyinghttp://www.pacer.org/publications/bullypdf/BP-4.pdf

Bullying: What Parents Can Do About It – Includes resources and books about bullying.  http://pubs.cas.psu.edu/freepubs/pdfs/ui368.pdf

Talks about bullying/cyber bullying, sign of bullying, effects of bullying with information that speaks to kids.  Has resources for kids, parents and teachers. http://www.qualityansweringservice.com/resources/call-stop-bullying

resources for teachers and administrators

The IEP and Bullyinghttp://www.pacer.org/publications/bullypdf/BP-4.pdf

Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Centerhttps://webhost.bridgew.edu/marc/ – Their goal is to bring low – or no-cost services to K-12 education, law enforcement, and other professional caregivers for children in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  Services include school programs, conferences, workshops, consultation, and research, in the area of bullying prevention, cyberbullying education and prevention, and violence prevention.

Bully Prevention in Positive Behavior Supportwww.pbis.org/common/pbisresources/tools/pbsbullyprevention.pdf

Direct From the Field: A Guide to Bullying Preventionwww.mass.gov/eohhs/docs/dph/com-health/violence/bullying-prevent-guide.pdf

Preventing Classroom Bullying: What Teachers Can Do www.jimwrightonline.com/pdfdocs/bully/bullyBooklet.pdf

Building a Classroom Community and Bully-Free Zone from PBS for grades 3-7, class project.  www.pbs.org/parents/itsmylife/lesson_plans/bullies_classroom_community.html

Bullying Awareness Week has lesson plans websites resources, etc. www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/calendar-activities/ready-bullying-awareness-week-20709.html

Middlesex Partnerships for Youth, Inc. – Each member district/school may select up to 5 free on site in service trainings, to be presented at the district/school site. Twelve in-service workshops are available this school year. middlesexpartnershipsforyouth.com/initiatives/

Deana’s Educational Theatrewww.deanaseducationaltheater.org – focuses on the issues of bullying and harassment and help empower bystanders and also offers student, professional, and community training on violence-related issues.

Rachel’s Challenge – www.rachelschallenge.org/ – Rachel’s Challenge is the only integrated K-12 program of its kind and is uniquely positioned to inspire, equip and empower students at every level to make a difference in their world.

Matthew’s Placewww.matthewsplace.com/– resources for coming out – for the LGBTQ community

Urban Improvwww.urbanimprov.org/ – Urban Improv uses structured theater improvisation to teach violence prevention, conflict resolution,  decision-making, and impulse control.

resources for kids

A Teen’s Guide to Cyber Security – www.hotspotshield.com/resources/teens-guide-to-cyber-security/

Cyberbully 411http://www.cyberbully411.org/

Pacer Center Kids Against Bullyinghttp://www.pacerkidsagainstbullying.org/

Teens Against Bullying  – http://www.pacerteensagainstbullying.org/

Bullying from PBS http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/friends/bullies/index.html – for children.

Talks about bullying/cyber bullying, sign of bullying, effects of bullying with information that speaks to kids.  Has resources for kids, parents and teachers. http://www.qualityansweringservice.com/resources/call-stop-bullying

books

Asperger Syndrome and Bullying: Strategies and Solutions, by Nick Dubin and Michael Carley

Beyond Sticks and Stones: How to Help Your Child with a Disability Deal With Bullying, by the Pacer Center

Cyberbullying and Cyberthreats, by Nancy E. Willard

The Bully Free Classroom: Over 100 Tips and Strategies for Teachers K-8, by Allan Beane

The Bully, the Bullied, and the Bystander: From Preschool to High School

Bystander by James Preller, a fictional book about bullying

additional info on cyberbullying and safety on the internet

https://couponfollow.com/research/shop-safely-online – links to various articles

Internet Safety

KidsHealth for Parents: Internet Safety

Special Feature: Internet Safety

12 Tips for Safe Social Networking

Securing Key Accounts and Devices: Social Media

Social Networking Sites

Seven Steps to Stay Safe on Social Media

Ten Tips for Using Social Media Sites Safely

Cyberbullying and Cyberharassment

Prevent Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying

Dealing With Cyberbullies

Massachusetts law regarding bullying

On May 3, 2010 Governor Patrick signed an Act Relative to Bullying in Schools.  This new law prohibits bullying and retaliation in all public and private schools, and requires schools and school districts to take certain steps to addressing bullying incidents.  Relevant sections of the law (M.G.L. c. 71, § 37O) are described below.

These requirements will be included in the school’s Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan, which must be finalized no later than December 31, 2010.  The Plan will include the requirements of the new law, and also information about the policies and procedures that the school will follow to prevent bullying and retaliation, or to respond to it when it occurs.  In developing the Plan, Perkins School will consult with school and local community members, including staff, and parents and guardians.

Definitions

Aggressor is a student who engages in bullying, cyber bullying, or retaliation.

Bullying is the repeated use by one or more students of a written, verbal or electronic expression or a physical act or gesture or any combination thereof, directed at a target that: (i) causes physical or emotional harm to the target or damage to the target’s property; (ii) places the target in reasonable fear of harm to himself/herself or of damage to his/her property; (iii) creates a hostile environment at school for the target; (iv) infringes on the rights of the target at school; or (v) materially and substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of a school.   Bullying includes cyber bullying.

Cyber bullying is bullying through the use of technology or any electronic devices such as telephones, cell phones, computers, and the Internet.  It includes, but is not limited to, email, instant messages, text messages, and Internet postings.

Hostile environment is a situation in which bullying causes the school environment to be permeated with intimidation, ridicule or insult that is sufficiently severe or pervasive to alter the conditions of the student’s education.

Retaliation is any form of intimidation, reprisal, or harassment directed against a student who reports bullying, provides information during an investigation of bullying, or witnesses or has reliable information about bullying.

Target is a student against whom bullying, cyber bullying, or retaliation has been perpetrated.

Prohibition Against Bullying

Bullying is prohibited: (i) on school grounds, property immediately adjacent to school grounds, at a school-sponsored or school-related activity, function, or program whether on or off school grounds, at a school bus stop, on a school bus or other vehicle owned, leased, or used by a school district or school, or through the use of technology or an electronic device that is owed, leased, or used by a school district or school and (ii) at a location, activity, function, or program that is not school-related, or through the use of technology or an electronic device that is not owned, leased, or used by a school district or school, if the bullying creates a hostile environment at school for the target, infringes on the rights of the target at school or materially and substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of a school. Nothing contained herein shall require schools to staff any non-school related activities, functions, or programs.

Retaliation against a person who reports bullying, provides information during an investigation of bullying, or witnesses or has reliable information about bullying is prohibited.

Responsibility of Staff to Report Bullying

A member of a school staff is required to report immediately any instance of bullying or retaliation the staff member has witnessed or become aware of to the Education Director or to the school official identified in the Plan as responsible for receiving such reports or both.  Please report any incidences of bullying or retaliation to Pat McCall –Secondary Assistant Education Director- at 617-972-7230 for Secondary students, Kevin Hartigan, Lower School Residential Supervisor- at 617-972-7628 for Lower School students, or Karen Hern, Deafblind Residential Supervisor- at 617-972-7513.

Staff includes, but is not limited to, an educator, administrator, counselor, school nurse, cafeteria worker, custodian, bus driver, athletic coach, advisor to an extracurricular activity or paraprofessional,

Upon receipt of such a report, the Education Director or designee shall promptly conduct an investigation. If the Education Director or designee determines that bullying or retaliation has occurred, the Education Director or designee shall (i) notify the parents or guardians of the target, and to the extent consistent with state and federal law, notify them of the action taken to prevent any further acts of bullying or retaliation; (ii) notify the parents or guardians of a aggressor; (iii) take appropriate disciplinary action; and (iv) notify the local law enforcement agency if the Education Director or designee believes that criminal charges may be pursued against the aggressor.

Professional Development

Schools must provide ongoing professional development to increase the skills of all staff members to prevent, identify, and respond to bullying.

The content of such professional development is to include, but not be limited to: (i) developmentally appropriate strategies to prevent bullying incidents; (ii) developmentally appropriate strategies for immediate, effective interventions to stop bullying incidents; (iii) information regarding the complex interaction and power differential that can take place between and among an aggressor, target, and witnesses to the bullying; (iv) research findings on bullying, including information about specific categories of students who have been shown to be particularly at risk for bullying in the school environment; (v) information on the incidence and nature of cyber bullying; and (vi) Internet safety issues as they relate to cyber bullying.

Bullying and Harassment

from the Berkshire D.A.’s office

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=berterminal&L=3&L0=Home&L1=Crime+Awareness+%26+Prevention&L2=Parents+%26+Youth&sid=Dber&b=terminalcontent&f=parents_youth_bullying&csid=Dber

Every day in our schools and communities children are teased, threatened or tormented by bullies. 160,000 students skip school each day because they are being bullied or harassed.  Research clearly indicates bullying behavior causes a harmful social, physical, psychological, and academic impact on targets, bystanders and bullies.  Studies show on-going exposure to this type of behavior can have lasting consequences.  Society as a whole has been impacted by bullying, including the bullies themselves.  Through their own actions and the inactions of others, bullies learn that antisocial behavior and exerting control over others is acceptable and that it works.  Bullying creates an atmosphere that is unhealthy for everyone, it interferes with learning and can lead to school violence.  Together, we must change social norms concerning bullying and create a climate in our schools, neighborhoods and communities that promotes diversity and acceptance.

What is Bullying?

By definition, a student is bullied or victimized when he or she is exposed, repeatedly and over time, to negative actions on the part of one or more other students…. [Bullying] is a negative action when someone intentionally inflicts, or attempts to inflict, injury or discomfort on another. (Olweus)

  1. Physical — hitting, kicking, shoving, spitting, hair pulling, strangling, etc.

  2. Verbal — taunting, teasing, name calling, threatening, hate speech

  3. Emotional — rejection or exclusion of others, rumors, gossip, forcing others to do things

  4. Sexual — unwanted hugs, pinches, slaps, or sexual jokes (Sexual bullying is sexual harassment and should not be confused with flirting)

  5. Cyberbullying — using internet, e-mails, IMs, text messages, social networking sites (Myspace, Facebook, Friendster, Xanga) to taunt, tease, harass, spread rumors or gossip

Cyberbullying has become a national problem of great concern.  New technologies offer many ways to communicate, and youth today have fully embraced these technologies.  They have become a major part of our children’s social environment.  Although these technologies provide unlimited means to learn and obtain information, they also provide powerful tools for bullying.

Warning Signs

The signs listed below that a child is being bullied or is engaging in bullying behavior are not exclusive.  A child may show some signs or many signs and a child may exhibit some of these signs and not be involved in bullying at all.

Warning Signs That a Child is Being Bullied

  1. Shows an abrupt lack of interest in school or refusal to go to school

  2. Takes an unusual route to school

  3. Suffers a drop in grades

  4. Has few or no friends

  5. Withdraws from family and school activities

  6. Is sad, sullen or angry after receiving a phone call or email

  7. Uses derogatory or demeaning language when talking about peers

  8. Stops talking about peers and everyday activities

  9. Has disheveled, torn or missing clothing

  10. Has physical injuries

  11. Has stomachaches, headaches, panic attacks

  12. Is unable to sleep, sleeps too much, or is exhausted

Warning Signs That a Child is Engaging in Bullying Behavior

  1. Lacks empathy

  2. Views violence more favorably than most students do

  3. Often aggressive toward adults, parents and teachers

  4. Often hot tempered, impulsive and intolerant of obstacles or delays

  5. Finds it difficult to fit in with rules

  6. Needs to dominate and suppress other students, assert himself/herself by means of force and threats, and get his/her own wa

What Parents Can Do

  1. Learn the school rules and sanctions regarding bullying

  2. Participate in training the school may offer regarding bullying

  3. Stay in touch with your child’s teachers

  4. As soon as you are aware of a bullying problem, report it to the school

  5. Accept help from the school with regard to bullying problems whether your child is the target, the  bully or a bystander

What The Target of Bullying Can Do

  1. Talk to your parents or an adult you trust such as a teacher, school counselor or principal

  2. Don’t blame yourself for what has happened

  3. Try to make friends with other students

  4. Avoid situations where bullying can happen

  5. Stay in a group

What Bystanders Can Do

Be a part of the solution.  Bystanders are a powerful majority at any school. They can use their social power and personal actions to promote respect.

  1. Speak up and offer support to the victim

  2. Walk away—bullies enjoy an audience

  3. Refuse to join in if someone is being bullied

  4. Report bullying to an adult

What Schools Can Do

Create a plan to prevent, identify and respond to bullying and harassment, including but not limited to the following:

1.     Form a Prevention Committee
2.     Train the Committee and all staff
3.     Assess perception and experiences of bullying among students
4.     Establish and enforce school rules against bullying
5.     Review and refine the supervisory system
6.     Involve parents
7.     Educate students

What The Community Can Do

As a community we need to stand together with parents and schools and reinforce the message that bullying will not be tolerated in our homes, schools or community.  We must teach our children self-respect and provide them with positive influences so they will grow to be happy, healthy adults.

  1. Talk about what bullying means

  2. Be a positive role model

  3. Take an interest in a child’s school work and activities

  4. Teach tolerance and empathy

  5. Reinforce positive behaviors

  6. Support local bullying prevention programs

  7. Spend time talking and listening to children

  8. Use your time and talents to help a child

  9. Be a mentor

Many thanks to the Quincy SEPAC for their wealth of information on this topic.

NOTE:  F-SEPAC is providing the information above for educational purposes as a public service.

References to any treatment, program, or professional are not endorsements.