Hot Topics

• Kentucky Safe Schools Week
  October 15-21, 2017
• 
• Kentucky Youth Bullying Prevention Task Force Report
  -- View the Report
  -- Link to Press Conference Video
• Addressing Bullying Incidents: A Principal's Perspective Report
  -- Full Report
  -- Media Advisory
• Sharing Ideas & Resources to Keep Our Nation's Schools Safe! Volume II
• SB 8/HB 354 Requirements
• --Guidance for SB 8/HB 354: EMP
• --CPTED KY Checklist
• Parental Behavior in Kentucky Schools
• Security in Schools
• Cyber Bullying
• Endorsement in School Safety
• Bureau of Justice School Crime and Safety Statistics
• Hotlines:
  National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
  Child Abuse Hot Line:
  1-877-597-2331
• Sexual Violence: Green Dot
  -- Video 1
  -- Video 2
• Gray area: Stopping cyberbullying can be tough call for educators
• Trying to stay ahead of students

Calendar

• Oct. 15-21, 2017 - KY Safe Schools Week
• Oct 19, 2017 - KCSS Board of Directors Meeting

   

Free Resources

  

• Internet Safety: What Can Parents Do?
• Bully Myths
• What is a Bully?
• Cyber Bullying Handouts
• KCSS Informational Brochure
• KCSS Mobile Website Directory
• More...

Popular Articles

• US Education Department releases Analysis of State Bullying Laws ...
• Should teachers and students be Facebook friends?

         

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      Resources to include in your lessons or planning for creating a safer environment in your school.

 
Resources for educators include: teacher resources, handouts, PowerPoints and videos, and administrator resources
 

KY Safe Schools Week Lessons & Web Ideas - Includes resources from: National Bullying Prevention Center, Be Internet Awesome, Common Sense Education - Lessons on “bullying”, KidsHealth in the Classroom, Stop Bullying Now, PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center, ReadWriteThink and NEA

Below are quick links to accompany the KY Safe Schools Week Lessons & Web Ideas

Digital Literacy and Citizenship Curriculum - This FREE, pioneering curriculum is designed to empower students to think critically and make informed choices about how they create, communicate, and treat others in our ever-evolving, 24/7 digital world. (commonsensemedia)

Bullying Lesson Plans - For many years, bullying was seen as a necessary evil -- an unpleasant, but unavoidable, rite of childhood. Ignore it, we thought, and eventually it will go away. The problem hasn't gone away, though, and educators can no longer afford to ignore it. Education World offers ten activities for teaching kids about empathy, anger management, and effective conflict resolution. Lessons include: Kids Bullying Kids, Coloring a Peaceful World, The Average Kid, Planet X, Reacting to Conflict, The Anger Suit, Bullying and Diversity Lesson: What's Your Name?, The Talking Stick, Bullying Reality Quiz

Stopbullying.gov-kids - Find facts, webisodes, and quizzes about bullying for kids. A federal government website managed by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services is interactive, attention getting and engaging. The four sections children can choose from on this site are: “the facts”, “what can I do”, “kid videos” and “games". This format allows for both classroom and individual use. Also, it is important to support all kids involved in a bullying situation. There are links that will help you -  Support the Kids Involved, Address Bullying Behavior  & Support Bystanders Who Witness Bullying

PACER's Site 4 Teens - PACER'S National Center for Bully Prevention  This site for middle and high school students includes interactive sections on defining bullying, feelings about bullying, how to respond to bullying and scenarios/ testimonials from students who have been bullied. Search the website by clicking on the headings across the top of page, “Identify”, “Respond”, “Listen” etc., to access useful and up-to-date information about how to approach and prevent bullying.

Kids Against Bullying Site - PACER'S National Center for Bully Prevention This site has many creative resources to educate elementary students about bullying. It includes an animated cast of characters, information, celebrity videos, Webisodes, interactive games, animation, contests, and other activities.
---Music Video “Keep Your Eyes Open”
(created by an elementary school) is very insightful and might be a good starting point for a classroom discussion about bullying. The school principal discusses bullying after the student’s perform a song about how others should stop and keep their eyes open to be a part of the bullying solution. For more resources for students: ---Click on the colorful words “Spot”, “Stop”, “Share”, etc. to access the videos, posters, webisodes, etc.   

--How Can You Help - Bullying doesn’t affect just those who are bullied and those who bully, it has a huge impact on those who see the behavior! Learn more about how you can get involved and be a positive influence on others. (PACER'S National Center for Bully Prevention)

Thinkfinity- High Interest Novel for Struggling Readers - 6-90 minute sessions for 9-12 graders. In many of today’s schools, bullying and violence are prevalent. After completing this lesson, students will have a more in-depth understanding of these problems. Using a realistic, high- interest novel (The Bully by Paul Langan) and interactive reading strategies, students discuss many issues that surround bullying and consider what they themselves can do to prevent bullying.

Teens - There’s a lot to deal with on the Internet - Cyberbullies, privacy settings, gossip, … These resources can help teens navigate the Internet while guarding their reputation.  (netsmartz.org)

YouTube Animated Story of Spookley - Elementary Lesson Plan
Spookley the Square Pumpkin by Pacer is a square pumpkin who lives in a round pumpkin patch world. In The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin, a perennial fall favorite children’s story, Spookley helps you understand that the things that make you different are what make you special. There is a teacher toolkit  (pre-school, K-3) to accompany The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin from PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center.

A Frill a Minute - In this Dinosaur Train episode, the Pteranodon kids and Tank Triceratops play games at Big Pond, where they discuss the purpose of Tank's frill, and outsmart a bully. They learn that Tank's frill is a defense mechanism which makes the Triceratops look threatening to potential predators. (Stream Only)

Helping Drew - In this episode of NJEA’s Classroom Close-up, pre-K and kindergarten students at Teaneck‘s Bryant Elementary School get an early anti-bullying lesson from a teacher-produced puppet show called "Helping Drew". Elementary school educator, Alex Ishkanian, combines his passion for the performing arts and his education background to create engaging, dramatic programs for elementary-school-aged students. (Stream, Download and Share)

Counselors & Media Specialists Bullying Book Discussion Guide - (Random House Inc) Includes Connections to Common Core State Standards @ RHTeachersLibrarians.com. School Counselor, Laura Barbour has taught and counseled children from preschool through high school and presently works as an elementary professional school counselor at Stafford Primary School in West Linn, Oregon.

Olweus Bullying Prevention Program If your schools are looking for a research-based school-wide bullying prevention program the Kentucky Department of Education is offering to train your school in the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program. The Kentucky Department of Education chose Olweus because it is the oldest and most renowned bullying prevention program out there, and appears to be one of the best, as it is evidence-based and research-based.  More than just a quick “fix-it” program, Olweus focuses on schoolwide, classroom, individual, community, and parent components to provide a true framework approach to preventing bullying. Sherri Clusky and Victoria Fields are the leads for this program at KDE and for the state of Kentucky.

KDE leads for this initiative: Sherry Clusky, sherri.clusky@education.ky.gov  Victoria Fields, victoria.fields@education.ky.gov   phone (502) 564-4772, ext. 4015

FREE RESOURCE: Operation Respect - Operation Respect is a non-profit organization working to assure each child and youth a respectful, safe and compassionate climate of learning where their academic, social and emotional development can flourish. Founded by Peter Yarrow of the folk group Peter, Paul & Mary, the organization disseminates educational resources that are designed to establish a climate that reduces the emotional and physical cruelty some children inflict up on each other by behaviours such as ridicule, bullying and-in extreme cases-violence.

KCSS Bullying Website Page - Resources include Kentucky’s New Definition of Bullying, teacher resources, handouts, PowerPoints and videos, administrator resources and more.

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Myths of Bullying Handout - (KCSS 2-Sided Flyer) - Topics on this handout include: “Shattering the Myths of Bullying”, “You Can Help”, “Who’s the Bully… Not My Child!”, and “Why don’t kids ask for help?"
What is Bullying? Handout - (KCSS 2-Sided Flyer) - Topics on this handout include: “Characteristics of those who bully”, “Alarming Stats”, “Characteristics of Victims”, and “Long-Term Effects of Bullying”
Student Bullying Handout - (KCSS 2-Sided Flyer) - Topics on this handout include: “What is Bullying?”, Are you bullying others?”, “Students: What’s with those who bully?”, “Tell it or Spell it”, “Watch Out Online!”, and “Students: What you can do”
Parents’ Bullying Handout - (KCSS 2-Sided Flyer) - Topics on this handout include: “What is Bullying?”, “Have they been guilty of bullying someone else?”, “Parents: How to talk about bullying”, “What’s up with all the bullying behavior?”, “5 Tips for parents to prevent bullying”, and “Parents: Watch OUT online!”
Bullying: Suggestions For Educators - (KCSS) Educate the school staff and students on the real definition of bullying. Be consistent when enforcing policies and codes of conduct (after these have been revised and work for your school). Use an existing committee or form a school climate or safety committee to review data and ask guided questions about bullying in your school. Use surveys and the data from these surveys. These and many other suggestions are available on this handout.
Conflict vs. Bullying and Telling vs. Tattling - (KCSS) When talking with your students use these handouts. Everyone needs to know the difference in conflict and bullying, and telling and tattling. Review these in classrooms and place on the wall to refer to every now and then.
Bullying Prevention Checklist - (KCSS) Jon Akers, Executive Director of KCSS, offers suggestions for principals to consider when establishing bullying/harassment standards within their respective schools. This is not an all-inclusive list…but it is a good start for principals to reflect and act accordingly.
KCSS Mean Girl Bullying Handout - Parent Tips Suggestions include: Involve girls in activities outside of school so they are exposed to different types of people, and, encourage relationships with adults and other children who appreciate them for who they are.
From PACER - Talk to Your Child About Bullying
Parents can prepare themselves to talk with their children by considering how they are going to handle their child’s questions and emotions. They can also decide what information they would like to give their child about bullying
English Handout
Spanish Handout

“Kindness Counts” bookmarks - Everyday, let's enjoy reading and show kindness, helping make our schools a great place to learn and grow.

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Safe Schools Week 2017 PowerPoint Presentation - Use this PowerPoint as an overview for KY Safe Schools Week.
Download PDF Version

 

Bullying PowerPoint Presentation - Bullying: This powerpoint explains what bullying is and how to deal with situations if you feel like a victim.
Download PDF Version



CyberBullying PowerPoint Presentation - CyberBullying: This downloadable powerpoint is a brief overview of cyber bullying and includes a definition, statistics and communication.
Download PDF Version
 

Sexting PowerPoint Presentation - Cell Phones and Sexting: This powerpoint is an overview of sexting which includes a definition, the consequences and the ramifications if caught with sexting photos.
Download PDF Version


Suicide Prevention PowerPoint Presentation - Suicide Prevention: Roll of a Teen. This downloadable powerpoint is a brief overview of suicide prevention which includes facts, risks and roles.
Download PDF Version


Mean Girls, Beware the Pack is Back!!! - As school begins we need to be aware that "The Pack is Back." Mean girls will be in your halls in full force. In this presentation we will identify "The Mean Girl Pack" and do soul searching to identify who we are and how to become a better person a "Super Hero." Mean girls use relational aggression which is a kind of social torment (bullying) that often exists without parents and teachers even noticing. 

Bullying 101 Powerpoint from Bullying Symposium - Understanding the Who, When and Why of Bullying, and What we Can do to Stop it. Bullying has long been excused as “part of growing up,” but research increasingly indicates that it is a pervasive problem with severe impacts on student academic performance. Former Assistant Deputy Secretary of Education Kevin Jennings, explains the phenomenon of bullying and outline steps both institutions and individuals can take to reduce the incidence of bullying in their schools.


Wheel of Bullying - This interactive question and answer Powerpoint covering bullying prevention has a "Wheel of Fortune" format. As the game is played students are quizzed on types of bullying and cyber-bullying activities. This Powerpoint is good for upper-elementary to high school students.

Billy Bully Lesson - (By Ana Galan) Check out your library for a copy of this school-yard counting book. It describes the good and bad behaviors in class. While reading the book aloud to your preschool through second grade students, use Powerpoint of visual aids to reinforce good behavior, counting and sequence. Click here for Powerpoint


Bullying Prevention Powerpoint: Project Respect - Thousands of students stay home every day because they fear harassment or bullying at school. More than one-third of Kentucky high school students say that they have been bullied. Learn how to combat bullying and create a safer learning environment with a positive message the whole school can rally around: RESPECT!

Bullying Prevention Powerpoint - To be used with school administrators when dealing with bullying problems in their schools. It can accompany the Bully Prevention Checklist below by Jon Akers, executive director of the Ky Center for School Safety. Bullying Prevention Checklist


The Foundation for a Better Life creates public service campaigns to communicate positive values. “Locker” - In this motivational commercial a boy is accosted by bullies at school, but pleasantly surprised when he is helped by another student. This models a positive example of reaching out to someone else in need. “Cafeteria” – Girls are sometimes more verbally aggressive and this commercial shows how a new student is mistreated, just because she is new. On a positive note, she is rescued by a student doing the right thing by making a choice to treat her with respect.

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Safety Tipline, Online Prevention - (KCSS) S.T.O.P.! Tipline is an "online" reporting/prevention tool. If students, parents or community members know of an unsafe situation in school (bullying, weapons, drugs or alcohol, etc.), they can anonymously pass on that information to school personnel by using this basic email format. Approximately 60 school districts have partnered with KCSS and are providing this prevention tool to their school community. It is free of charge to schools in Kentucky.

Bullying Prevention Checklist: - Jon Akers, Executive Director of KCSS, offer suggestions for principals to consider when establishing bullying/harassment standards within their respective schools.  This is not an all-inclusive list…but it is a good start for principals to reflect and act accordingly.

Bullying in Schools (No. 12) - Perhaps more than any other school safety problem, bullying affects students’ sense of security. The most effective ways to prevent or lessen bullying require school administrators’ commitment and intensive effort; police interested in increasing school safety can use their influence to encourage schools to address the problem. This guide provides police with information about bullying in schools, its extent and its causes, and enables police to steer schools away from common remedies that have proven ineffective elsewhere, and to develop ones. (Department of Justice – COPS)

Community Action Plan Materials - The Bullying Prevention Materials are research-based resources that can help you lead bullying prevention efforts in your communities. Bullying can be prevented, especially when the power of a community is brought together. Community-wide strategies can help identify and support children who are bullied, redirect the behavior of children who bully, and change the attitudes of adults and youth who tolerate bullying behaviors in peer groups, schools, and communities.

FREE Hotline: What You Can Do to Help End Bullying - (National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) While bullying doesn’t cause suicide, a stressful environment and persistent, emotional victimization can increase a person’s risk of suicide. Together, we can create awareness about the dangers of bullying and give emotional support to those who may be contemplating suicide. If you or someone you know is in an emotional distress or suicidal crisis, please call the Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

OnGuardOnline.gov - (The Federal Trade Commission) OnGuardOnline.gov is a partner in the Stop. Think. Connect. campaign, led by the Department of Homeland Security, and part of the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education, led by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. It has many free downloads and videos available for schools and communities.

From SAMHSA - Get Know Bullying, the free app from SAMHSA that can prevent bullying. Research shows that parents and caregivers who spend at least 15 minutes a day talking with their child can build the foundation for a strong relationship and help prevent bullying.

Bullying Surveys
Here are a few survey samples

• Basic Elementary and High School Bullying Climate Survey  (Character Counts)
• Community Survey about Bullying (Bullying.org)
• School Wide Bullying Survey (KSDE.org)
• Cyber-Bullying Survey (stopcyberbullying.org)
• Create a survey on Survey Monkey for free or use the KCSS Bullying Survey Click here to take survey

Incident Reporting Forms
Incident Report forms are here for planning purposes from various resources and other states.

• Bullying Reporting Form - for internal administrative tracking – (KSBA)
• Sample Incident Report - track bullying incidents and follow up with parents and students (Character Counts)
• Bully Buster incident reporting form, created by students at Prosperity Elementary School, Buhler, Kansas (Character Counts)
• Sample Bullying Prevention and Intervention Incident Reporting Form (Massachusetts Dept of Ed)
• Sample Incident Report Form (Oklahoma Dept of Ed)

Kentucky Bullying Law and Guidance, Sample Policies
Kentucky House Bill 91 "Bullying Bill" AN ACT relating to the safety, learning, and well-being of students. Amend KRS 158.440 to identify the Golden Rule as the model for improving attitude and the rule for conduct for all public school students; require school districts to have plans, policies, and procedures dealing with measures for assisting students who are engaging in disruptive and disorderly behavior... Text Summary  (Kentucky Legislature)
KDE Guidelines to Assist Districts in Implementing HB91
-KASC Sample Policies for School Councils

State Educational Agency Model Anti-Bullying Policies… Kentucky’s anti-bullying legislation (KRS 158.156) was codified in 2008 after the passage of House Bill 91. This legislation requires the Kentucky Department of Education to provide guidance to local school districts to assist with the implementation of the law at the local level. Additionally, the legislation requires that “model policies” (bullying, code of conduct, and supervision of students) be provided to school districts. 

Map of State Bullying Policies & Laws
State and local lawmakers have taken action to prevent bullying and protect children. Through laws (in their state education codes and elsewhere) and model policies (that provide guidance to districts and schools), each state addresses bullying differently. Each state refers to bullying in its laws and what they require on part of schools and districts. By clicking the link above you can access a map with each state’s information. (stopbullying.gov) 

Kentucky Anti-Bullying Laws & Policies – stopbullying.gov – lists key components in Kentucky anti-bullying laws and policies.

 US Education Department Releases Analysis of State Bullying Laws ...
 - The U.S. Department of Education released … Analysis of State Bullying Laws and Policies, a new report summarizing current approaches in the 46 states with anti-bullying laws and the 41 states that have created anti-bullying policies as models for schools.

Reports from the National Center for Education Statistics, in the Institute of Education Sciences, use data collected in the School Crime Supplement to the National Crime Victimization Survey. Three Data Points look at trends in reports of bullying, use of hate-related words, etc. in the nation's schools.  (1) Trends in Bullying at School Among Students Ages 12 to 18  (2) Trends in Hate-Related Words at School Among Students Ages 12 to 18  (3)  Reports of Bullying and Other Unfavorable Conditions at School  (July, 2016)

KET Health Three60 Video Program: "When Children Are Cruel" - Bullying has become a serious concern in school districts across the state and in the nation. Host Renee Shaw and guests explore the impact of bullying on students today, the role of bystander intervention, and how schools are implementing anti-bullying programs.

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