Anti-Bullying Policy
Bullying is an unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Bullying includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose.
What to Do If you’re bullied.
There are things you can do if you are being bullied:
– Look at the kid bullying you and tell him or her to stop in a calm, clear voice. You can also try to laugh it off. This works best if joking is easy for you. It could catch the kid bullying you off guard.
– If speaking up seems too hard or not safe, walk away and stay away. Don’t fight back. Find an adult to stop the bullying on the spot.
There are things you can do to stay safe in the future, too.
– Don’t keep your feelings inside. Telling someone can help you feel less alone. They can help you make a plan to stop the bullying.
– Stay away from places where bullying happens.
– Stay near adults and other kids. Most bullying happens when adults aren’t around.
– Remember, report bullying of yourself or other students to your teacher, coach, principal and/or parent.
Stand Up for Others.
When you see bullying, there are safe things you can do to make it stop.
– Talk to a parent, teacher, or another adult you trust. Adults need to know when bad things happen so they can help.
– Be kind to the kid being bullied. Show them that you care by trying to include them.
– Sit with them at lunch or on the bus, talk to them at school, or invite them to do something. Just hanging out with them will help them know they aren’t alone.
Not saying anything could make it worse for everyone. The kid who is bullying will think it is ok to keep treating others that way.
Possible warning signs that a child is being bullied include:
– Comes home with torn, damaged, or missing pieces of clothing, books, or other belongings
– Has unexplained cuts, bruises, and scratches
– Has few, if any friends, with whom he or she spends time
– Seems afraid of going to school, walking to and from school, riding the school bus, or taking part in organized activities with peers (such as clubs)
– Takes a long, “illogical” route when walking to or from school
– Has lost interest in schoolwork or suddenly begins to do poorly in school
– Appears sad, moody, teary, or depressed when he or she comes home
– Complains frequently of headaches, stomachaches, or other physical ailments
– Has trouble sleeping or has frequent bad dreams
– Experiences a loss of appetite
– Appears anxious and suffers from low self-esteem
School and Teachers Responsibilities:
– Teachers in our school take all forms of bullying seriously and intervene to prevent incidents from taking place. They keep their own records of all incidents that happen in their class and that they are aware of in the school.
– If teachers witness an act of bullying, they do all they can to support the child who is being bullied. If a child is being bullied over a period of time, then, after consultation with the Principal, the teacher informs the child’s parents.
– They also refer the case to the school counselor.
– We spend time talking to the child who has bullied: we explain why the action of the child was wrong and we endeavour to help the child change their behaviour in future. If a child is repeatedly involved in bullying other children, we inform the Principal and the counselor. We then invite the child’s parents into the school to discuss the situation.
– Teachers attempt to support all children in their class and to establish a climate of trust and respect for all. By praising, rewarding and celebrating the success of all children, we aim to prevent incidents of bullying.
Parents can play a central role in preventing bullying and stopping it when it happens.
Here are a few things you can do.
- Teach kids to solve problems without using violence and praise them when they do.
- Give children positive feedback when they behave well to help their build self-esteem. Help give them the self-confidence to stand up for what they believe in.
- Ask your children about their day and listen to them talk about school, social events, their classmates, and any problems they have.
- Take bullying seriously. Many kids are embarrassed to say they have been bullied. You may only have one chance to step in and help.
- If you see any bullying, stop it right away, even if your child is the one doing the bullying.
- Encourage your child to help others who need it.
- Don’t bully your children or bully others in front of them. Many times kids who are bullied at home react by bullying other kids. If your children see you hit, ridicule, or gossip about someone else, they are also more likely to do so themselves.
Support bully prevention programs in your child’s school. If your school doesn’t have one, consider starting one with other parents, teachers, and concerned adults.