What is bullying?

            Bullying is repeated incidents involving:

§                one child on another child , or

§                a group of children on a single child, or

§                a group of children on another group of children.

These might be:

§                Verbal: the child is called names, put down, threatened.

§                Physical: the child is hit, poked, tripped, or belongings are stolen or damaged.

§                Social: the child is left out, ignored, or rumours are spread.

§                Psychological: the child is stalked or given dirty looks.

 

Bullying is different from ordinary teasing, rough-and-tumble or schoolyard fights. What makes it different is that the incidents are ongoing.

§         To ensure that each child feels safe in all environments within the school and that they have a clear definition of bullying. In line with the document The Framework for Student Support at Glen Devon Primary School we aim to foster the well being and resiliency of all members of our school community with a major focus on primary prevention and early intervention strategies.

What is expected of/from the children?

Victim:

§                to tell someone, eg. teacher, peer, buddy, parent, friend (intervention)

§                for the children to develop interpersonal skills to cope with and identify bullying (prevention). This will be taught through the Kool Kids Program.

 

Bully:

§                to recognize and discontinue with bullying behaviour (intervention)

§                to be aware of the consequences of continuing with this behaviour (intervention)

§                to actively participate in  support programs that will modify this behaviour (intervention)

Students witnessing bullying behaviour:

§                will intervene if they are able to (not physically)

§                will immediately seek teacher/staff assistance

What is expected from the staff?

§                they act on all reports of bullying

§                to implement pre determined /logical consequences which are:
*student welfare coordinator to speak to bullies re:  their behaviour
*if bullying continues, contact parents
*if bullying still continues, child and parent must accept counselling from school based psychologist.

§                to be consistent

§                to follow up and communicate with appropriate staff including student welfare coordinator, assistant principal, principal and/or psychologist for follow up with victims of bullying and bullies to educate and empower children through Kool Kids Program

§                to provide follow up support to victims of bullying and inform them of what has been done

What is expected of/from parents?

§                to be aware of and reinforce school policy and Kool Kids Program (early intervention)

§                support decisions and take necessary action for consistency (intervention)

§                to communicate three ways – child/teacher/parent (early intervention)

§                to accept counseling strategies to help their children (intervention/postvention)

Primary Prevention

§                provide professional development for all staff

§                convey information to parents through newsletter

§                whole school Kool Kids Program

§                Bullying Survey conducted school wide

 

Early Intervention

§                small group program for children that are beginning to display aggressive and/or domineering behaviour.

§                application of  clear and consistent procedures for handling bullying incidents, including tracking bullies in the playground and classroom -  (Bully Register)

Intervention

§                clinical treatment program, conducted by psychologist. Program will include parents, student welfare coordinator and other agencies if needed.

§                small group program for victim conducted by psychologist and student welfare coordinator.

Postvention

§                ongoing support and monitoring by all staff at a school level of both victims and bullies.