Warning Signs of Bullying

Students who are bullied may:

Have damaged clothing, books, or other things

Have unexplained bruises, cuts, and scratches

Have little to no friends

Be afraid of going to school, riding the bus, or participating in organized activities

Have a sudden drop in interest to do school work or in grades

Appear sad or moody when they come home from school

Complain often of headaches, stomaches, or other physical problems

Have trouble sleeping

Appear anxious and have low self-esteem

Warning Signs of Bullying cont.

Students who bully others may:

Have a positive attitude towards violence

Have a strong need to dominate others to get their way

Be aggressive or easily angered

Lack empathy towards other students

Be defiant or aggressive toward adults

Be involved in activities such as vandalism, delinquency, or substance abuse

Be stronger than others

Be more likely to brag about owning a gun for risky reasons

Tips for Addressing Bullying (Teachers)

Develop, post, and discuss roles relating to bullying

Treat students and other teachers with warmth and respect

Establish yourself a clear and visible authority

Reward students for positive behavior

Take immediate action when bullying is observed

Listen to parents/students who report bullying in the classroom

Students need to see that teachers are in control and

that they care•Notify parents of all students involved when a bullying incident occurs

•Refer students affected by bullying to school counseling

•Have a safety plan to protect students who are bullied

•Hold class meetings where students can talk about bullying

•Provide information to parents about bullying behaviors and encourage their help in preventing it

Tips for Addressing Bullying(Administrators)

Focus on the social environment of the school

Assess bullying at your school

Garner parent and staff support for bullying prevention

Form a group to coordinate the school’s bullying prevention activities

Train your staff in bullying prevention

Establish and enforce school rules relating to bullying

Increase adult supervision in areas where bullying occurs more often

Intervene consistently and appropriately in situations where bullying occurs

Focus some class time on bullying prevention

Continue these efforts over time