A Bullying Program for Schools

By Derek Randel

One’s individual right to an education shouldn’t take away from the education of 25 classmates. The Compass Program gives solutions to the issue of bullying and school violence. Many public schools are limited in what options are open to them either legislatively or through the courts. The ACLU and many judges and lawyers need to take a closer look at the results of their actions when it comes to school violence. 

This is not a problem that can be solved overnight but it can be controlled. If parents, teachers, administrators, school staff, and the neighborhood community acknowledges it, and each does their part, then it can be reduced and prevented.

Violence is rarely an isolated incident. It is usually connected to relationships, mental health, the school climate, teacher’s attitudes, the bullies’ family, and his/her self-concept. To put an end to the school violence takes more than just trying to control the students and the security in the school. It will require an understanding of why these students act violently and then those causes must be addressed. We need to keep students safe emotionally and socially, not just physically.

There are two items that if not addressed will allow bullying to continue to thrive. The first is when bystanders avoid getting involved and the second is when authority ignores the problem.       There is no one single solution for every district or student. I hope this gives each of you some thoughts and ideas on what we should be doing to protect and teach our children.
      

This program can be implemented as is or what we recommend is for each school to personalize it for their needs. You may choose to use all of the suggestions or just a few. This is not a program designed to teach you what to do when an emergency happens. It is a program that helps schools address bullying and school violence before an emergency.

The Compass Program looks at the three items of the Olweus system and follows that by including suggestions for the community. The last section is dedicated to working with the parents. It looks closely at who, what, where, why, when and how. Silence only benefits the bully; and we need all adults to become part of the solution.

Action Steps – At The School Level

Many schools designate a committee (just what you wanted another committee) to address teachers concerns and questions. This committee relays information on changes, current situations, and concerns to the staff. Training a committee to teach others can be very cost efficient.

1. Give the students a survey on bullying. Every good program starts with a survey. This is a good way to find out what is really going on. Repeat the survey twice a year. All students should fill out the survey. If we want to really know where the trouble spots are, then the students are the one’s to ask.

2. We know schools are not here to raise the child and replace the parent. Unfortunately, many parents are not doing their job. We believe everyone needs to be held accountable for their actions including the students. Therefore, schools should create a supportive and inclusive atmosphere where bullying is not tolerated.  Teachers need to be trained at recognizing troubled students and to recognize exactly what is bullying. Many times teachers believe it is horseplay, teasing, or just fooling around. If there is a power difference, then it is bullying not horseplay. Ask students the difference between horseplay and bullying. Their answers are always right on and they usually talk about how one person isn’t smiling.

3. Any program must include the entire school staff. Awareness and involvement on the part of all adults including bus drivers, custodians, secretaries, etc. is needed. If everyone cannot meet together, then meet with the different departments separately. Accepting teachers who are ‘retired on the job’ isn’t acceptable. What a teacher permits, they promote.

Action Steps – At The Class Level

4. Often, bullying occurs without the knowledge of teachers and parents. A safe environment for students is essential. They must feel safe going to an adult. Bullying boxes can work wonders. These are boxes where students can report bullying incidents with or without identifying themselves. These boxes also work well for positive comments. If a student sees another student doing something good or bad, this is a nice way of informing the teacher. It helps the bystander get involved.

5. The school climate needs to be one of warmth and acceptance of all students. How teachers react to each bullying situation with regard to supervision and intervention depends on the teacher’s attitude. All teachers need to send the message that bullying is not acceptable. When a teacher bullies a student he is giving permission for everyone to bully that student.

6. Have class discussions about bullying frequently. Bring the topic out in the open. Listen respectfully to everyone’s bullying concerns.

Action Steps – At The Student Level

7. Teachers can help students develop positive behaviors. Without a vision, people will fail.  Students who think they’re going to college behave differently than students who do not think they’re going anywhere. Many times sending a positive message is as easy as how we talk to each student.

8. Good communication between teachers and parents is very important. If the teacher notices that a certain student never eats lunch, then his parents need to be told.

9. Students with more serious behavior problems benefit from the consistent use of reinforcement and consequences from home and the school settings. We need the schools and parents to work together. This can be a challenge when working with dysfunctional parents who won’t accept their child is doing something wrong, but it important for schools to make the attempt to communicate.

These are just nine out of 42 suggestions for the school. This program also covers community involvement and parent information. This program is also free. Any school can send an e-mail to Derek@stoppingschoolviolence.com requesting the Compass Program and it will be sent as a PDF file.

Derek is a parent coach and has customized programs for corporations, schools, and parent groups for putting the fun back into parenting and protecting your child/student from bullying. He can be reached at Parent Smart from the Heart, 1-866-89-SMART or 847-853-4308, or info@randelconsulting.com