Anti-Bullying Initiative

Bullying is repeated acts of physical, verbal, and/or relational (social/emotional) behavior that occur over time and are used to control, intimidate, hurt, frighten, and/or torment others.  Bullying may include but is not limited to the following:

• Physical - pushing, physical contact, bumping, blocking hallways
• Verbal - name calling, gossiping, spreading rumors, taunting
• Relational (social/emotional) - excluding or rejecting students from their peer group

• 60% of students identified as bullies have criminal convictions by age 24
• Bullies create a climate that supports intimidation and fear
• Bullies may be the reason for truancy of many of their victims (VAESP, 6/01)
• Stresses of being bullied can interfere with students' engagement and learning in school (NEA Today, 1999)
• Bullying occurs every seven minutes (Take Action Against Bullying)
• 33% of students in the U.S. reported bullying others
• 23% of students in the U.S. reported being bullied several times
• Bullying occurs in rural, suburban, and urban communities
• Bullying occurs in small and large schools
• Bullying occurs in high, middle, and low income communities
• Bullying occurs across racial and ethnic groups

Check out the following for additional information and resources on bullying issues:

Chesapeake Public School's
Anti-Bullying Initiative

http://www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/index.asp

www.wiredkids.org

www.westchestergov.com/cybernet

www.internetsuperheros.org

www.cyberbully.org

Oscar Smith Middle School has addressed the issue of bullying by following an anti-bullying initiative that began last year.  While bullying is not an issue unique to our school, it is an issue that occurs at all schools regardless of socioeconomic status, cultural boundaries, and geographic region.  An anti-bullying committee has been created at Smith Middle and has implemented a plan of action.  The committee's goal was to create a plan that would reduce the number of incidents of bullying.  The steps to reach the goal began with the school community.

The staff received training prior to the opening of the school year.  This training consisted of defining needs, presenting the anti-bullying initiative, showcasing the signs of bullying, and following specific procedures to address bullying behaviors.  Also, health and physical education teachers were provided with an in-service and lesson plans to that enabled them to teach every student how to have a bully-free environment.

Every student at Oscar Smith has received information about the causes and effects of bullying through their Health/P.E. class. The students have been given details on the consequences of bullying and each student took a survey to give feedback on bullying issues specific to our school.  Students were also encouraged to sign a pledge to be bully-free.

The students will be reminded throughout the year about the Anti-Bullying Initiative and updates will be given to parents.  Bullying behavior will be taken seriously and we will strive to reduce existing bully/victim problems among students.  Together we can work to take action against bullying and create a safe and positive learning environment for all of our students.