Bullying, Harassment or Intimidation

Bullying- A pattern or behavior when a person repeatedly uses power in an intentional manner, including verbal, physical, or written conduct or intentional electronic communication against one or more students.

Cyberbullying- The use of electronic communication to harm or harass others in a deliberate, repeated, and hostile manner.

Harassment- Includes actual or perceived negative actions that offend, ridicule, or demean another individual with regard to race, national origin, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, ancestry, physical attributes, socioeconomic status, familial status, physical or mental ability, or disability.

Intimidation – Subjecting an individual to intentional action that seriously threatens and induces a sense of fear and/or inferiority.

Maryland State Department of Education in accordance with the Safe Schools Reporting Act 2005

Safe Schools Reporting Act of 2005Passed by the Maryland General Assembly

• The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) must:• Require all county boards to report incidents of harassment or intimidation

against students in public schools;

• Create and distribute a “Standard Victim of Harassment or Intimidation Report Form”, and submit a report to the Maryland General Assembly consisting of a summary of the information; and

• Develop a model anti-bullying policy in collaboration with school system representatives. This was created in 2009 and there have been several updates.

Bullying, Harassment, or Intimidation Report

• Each local school system must prepare and send a report to MSDE annually on data from the previous school year.

• The report includes data on:• Number of BHI incidents reported;

• Description of incidents;

• Age of victim(s) and offender(s);

• Days missed from school victim(s) and offender(s);

• Alleged motive for the behavior; and

• Corrective actions taken; and other information.

Statewide Data-Number of Reported Incidents

• 2015/16 4,713 MD 203 CCPS

• 2014/15 4,154 MD 182 CCPS

• 2013/14 4,587 MD 170 CCPS

• 2012/13 5,255 MD 224 CCPS

• CCPS 2016/17 217 Reported incidents

Statewide Trends• The majority of victims are between ages 9 and 15 with age 12 being

the most common age.

• The majority of offenders are between ages 10 and 15 with age 12 being the most common age.

• The most common motive for bullying is identified as “just to be mean”.

Charles County Data 2016/17• Highest number of victims by age

• Age 11 (43 victims) Age 12 (33 victims) Age 13 (24 victims)

• Highest number of offenders by age• Age 11 (45 offenders) Age 12 (49 offenders) Age 13 (40 offenders)

• Most common type of bullying reported-teasing, name calling

Procedures• BHI Reporting Form is available on our website (both downloadable

and electronic), in schools, and in the Code of Student Conduct

• When a BHI Reporting Form is received, the following must take place:• Notify parents• Begin an investigation within 48 hours or two school days• Complete the investigation and contact parents• Follow up conference with both victim and offender within 2 weeks after the

investigation is concluded• Follow up conference with victim 4 weeks after the initial follow up• Submit all information to the department of student services for submission

to MSDE

Three Tiered Approach to School Climate

• All Schools use the PBIS Framework to teach expected School-Wide Behaviors and create a positive school environment

• Tier 1 = Universal, for all students

• Tier 2 = Targeted, for small groups

• Tier 3 = Intensive, for individuals

Three Tiered Approach to Bullying Prevention and Education

• Tier 1: School-wide programs: Assemblies, guidance lessons, activities and pledges

• Tier 2: Small group activities: Mentoring groups for student at risk of bullying behaviors, Second Step Bullying remediation, Check In Check Out

• Tier 3: Individual: Counseling and specific training for victims and offenders

Elementary Bullying Prevention ProgramSecond Step Bullying Prevention Unit - Classroom Guidance

• Research-based curriculum

• The skills taught through the Second Step lessons provide the social –emotional learning foundation for Bullying Prevention

• The lessons focus on EMPATHY- Empathy makes students more likely to support their peers and less likely to bully others

• The lessons teach students how to recognize and respond effectively to bullying

Elementary Bullying Prevention Month- School-Wide Activities

• Stomp Out Bullying Unity Chains

• Wear Orange “Unity Day”

• Unity Day Parade/Picture

• Anti-Bullying Banner

• Anti-Bullying Poster contest

• Anti-Bullying Morning Announcements

• Bullying Prevention Bulletin Boards

• Mix it Up Day

• Unity Week of kindness

• Unity Spirit Week

• Bullying Awareness Play

• Empathy Week

• Anti-Bullying Assembly- Presenters

• Parent Bullying Prevention PTO Presentation

Middle School Bullying Prevention ProgramSecond Step – Student Success through Prevention- Classroom Guidance Lessons

• Research-based curriculum

• Provides school counselors with lessons, resources, ( such as handouts and follow-up homework activities) and integration with academic activities

• Bullying prevention units help students recognize bullying, define the role of bystanders, and teach how to apply empathic concern for others

Bullying Bystanders: You can make a Difference DVD

• The video offers the empowering message that the most effective way to deal with bullying is through the efforts of those who witness it

• On-screen experts advise teens how they can become proactive without putting themselves at risk

Middle School Bullying Prevention-Month School-Wide Activities

• Anti-Bullying T-shirt Contest

• Stomp Out Bullying Display by students

• Silent strength assembly

• Unity Day

• Unity Week Spirit Week

• Cyberbullying Presentations

• Mix it Up Day

• Restorative Circles

• Motivational Monday

• Bulldogs against Bullying Essay Contest

• Unity Day Chain

• Student Climate survey

High School Bullying Prevention Program

Teen Anger (DVD)• Teens identify common sources of anger at home and at school, what happens when anger

explodes into violence, and how to express anger constructively

Grade Level Presentations

High School Bullying Prevention Month- School-Wide Activities

• Unity Day Spirit Day-Wear Orange

• Morning Announcements (Anti-Bullying messages)

• Bullying presentations

• Bullying Prevention Month Posters

• Bullying Prevention Month Stickers

Community Based Bullying Prevention Programs

Stop the Bullying, Spread the Love at Waldorf West Library, Sponsored by Beyond the Classroom in Partnership with Women of Action Charles County

Public and Permanent Presentation in partnership with Children’s Aid Society

• 2000 7th graders

• 2 evening community presentations

Stop Bullying, Spread the Love Event

Public and Permanent Presentation