Kentucky Safe Schools Week

• Verbal bullying is saying or writing mean things. Verbal bullying includes things like teasing, name-calling, Inappropriate sexual comments or threatening
• Social bullying refers to as relational bullying which involves hurting someone’s reputation or relationships. Social bullying might be for example; leaving someone out of a group on purpose, spreading rumors about someone  or embarrassing someone in public
• Physical bullying involves hurting a person’s body or their possessions. Physical bullying includes such acts as; hitting, kicking, pinching, spitting, tripping, pushing, taking or breaking someone’s possessions.
• Cyber-bullying is bullying that takes place using electronic technology. Which includes devices and equipment such as cell phones, computers, and tablets as well as communication tools including social media sites, text messages, chat, and websites.

Safety Tipline, Online Prevention

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.

- 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 take ours and check it out 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)

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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

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.

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.

Committee for Children Curriculum - The researched based STEPS TO RESPECT program teaches elementary students to recognize, refuse, and report bullying, be assertive, and build friendships. In fact, a recent study found that the program led to a 31 percent decline in bullying and a 70 percent cut in destructive bystander behavior. This curriculum is one example of an evidence-based curriculum.

The Owning Up™ Lessons - Present a unique and comprehensive approach to preventing youth violence by targeting the root causes of bullying and other forms of social cruelty. It exposes the cultural expectations that teach young people to humiliate and dehumanize others as the way to achieve power and respect, then challenges them to transform this dynamic. A CD is included for a nominal fee.

Evidence-Based Programs and Curricula - Schools may choose to implement formal evidence-based programs or curricula. Many evaluated programs that address bullying are designed for use in elementary and middle schools. Fewer programs exist for high schools and non-school settings. There are many considerations in selecting a program, including the school’s demographics, capacity, and resources. The federal government has developed evidence-based program registries that can help schools select a program. Some federal departments prioritize funding based on use of these programs. (stopbullying.gov)

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)

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)

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.

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.

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.

Stop Bullying Now! - 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. Included: 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.

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.
PACER will release a video each week during National Bullying Prevention Month (October 2016). These videos will help foster student discussions and give them a greater understanding of how to be supportive of their peers.

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. 

McGruff-The Crime Dog - (National Crime Prevention Council) McGruff the Crime Dog and pal, Scruff, bring ideas about kids staying safe through safety puzzles, games, videos, and coloring pages. The interactive games, videos, advice and downloads can be used for the classroom, computer lab or an individual computer. Watch the video, “Samantha’s Choice” to find out how McGruff helps students know what to do to help stop bullying. There are games like "Stop the Bully" or "Stick Together" that also help students discover the right way to stop bullying in school.

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)

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.

The Ned Program school-wide character education program centers around a 45 minute assembly called The NED Show. NED is a loveable cartoon character whose name is an acronym for Never give up, Encourage others, and Do your best. Teachers love that NED is simple, relatable and kid-focused.

inspirED - born out of a partnership between Facebook and the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence—is an online community designed by educators, teens, and experts in social and emotional learning (SEL) to help high school students and educators work together to create the best possible learning communities.

Olweus Bullying Prevention Program The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program is designed to improve peer relations and make schools safer, more positive places for students to learn and develop.


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