Anti-bullying Campaign at MHHS                               August 2004  What is bullying? Children understand bullying as repeated negative acts by one or more persons against another.  These acts can be verbal or physical in nature such as taunting, name-calling, hitting, or shoving. Bullying can also include indirect actions, such as deliberately excluding children from an activity, manipulating friendships, or writing anonymous cruel notes.  In a bullying situation, there is an imbalance in real or perceived power between the bully and the victim.   Why is it a problem? Schoolyard bullying is a significant problem involving many schoolchildren. 90% of 4th through 8th graders reported being bullied at some point in school. Unless an adult intervenes, the bullying will not stop. The bully also needs help.  Without some intervention, bullies can experience a life filled with destructive behavior.  Bullies have a l in 4 chance of having a criminal record by the age of 30. To comply with the  Connecticut Public Act No. 02-119, an act concerning bullying behavior in schools, the staff at MHHS has done the following: Grade level assemblies are held each year to explain the act to the students Students are allowed to anonymously report acts of bullying.  A box is provided in the main office for such reports. Each year a letter is written to parents of all MHHS students explaining this important legislation.  Parents of students who are subject to bullying are encouraged to report acts of suspected bullying. Staff is required to report any acts of bullying to school administrators. Administrative staff fully investigates any written acts or anonymous reports of bullying. Our Conduct Code specifically states that bullying is not tolerated at MHHS and lists the minimum to maximum consequences. At the present time, staff members give disciplinary referrals to students who commit a bullying act. A log of the referrals is kept in the main office.( See attached log) Parents or guardians of students who commit any verified acts of bullying will be notified.  Parents or guardians of students against whom such acts are directed will be notified.  (See attached letters) A list of the number of verified acts of bullying will be kept and will be available for public inspection. On August 26, 2003, the Staff Development Day, members from the Health and Physical Education departments worked together on playground rules and the consequences for not following them.  Those staff members held grade level assemblies to acquaint students and staff of the program and to answer any questions.  All staff members who have recess duties were also informed of the changes.  It is our hope that if we are “all on the same page,” supervision will be more consistent.  ( See attached rules and consequences ) As you are aware, MHHS has been focusing on being a bully-proof school over the last three years.  This law enacted by the legislation will help us to further explain the seriousness of bullying to all our students. Policy/Procedures to Stop Bullying Behavior at Meeting House Hill School:  Meeting House Hill School's Prevention Methods include: Staff created a Code of Conduct on the first day of school. Entire school staff provides appropriate modeling responses for conflict management Each class created “Caring Beings” and created their own Code of Conduct, which they are expected to follow. As a class students created their set of Class Rules. School psychologist and social worker have gone into a large number of classrooms to model a Class Meeting.  Class meetings are held on a regular basis. Character Education Program focuses on Caring, Responsibility, Respect, Fairness, and Trustworthiness. Students are awarded bookmarks, pencils, etc. for exemplary behavior/acts of special character School policy: Elementary Conduct Code includes zero tolerance for bullying behavior Student Council members created anti-bullying signs throughout the school Student programs for conflict management such as “Everybody Wins” with Jim Vetter, the “Don't Laugh at Me”, Judy Buch anti-bullying programs, etc. Parent and Staff Workshops are held to understand problem and solutions A Peer Mediation Program will be started this year to help students learn conflict management strategies. If an act of bullying is reported to the office, the following procedures are usually followed: Interviewing the bully and the victim separately by either the principal/assistant principal or support personnel ( school social worker, psychologist, or nurse ) and/or classroom teacher to assess the situation Interviewing any witnesses when necessary Communicating to all parents of children involved in the negative acts Communicating by school personnel to the bully desired behaviors for dealing with conflict, and administering discipline for negative acts, such as letters of apology, recess or after school detention, etc. Provide support for bullying targets and their parents, and suggest assertive ways for handling the aggressor without escalating the conflict Refer bully for repeat offenses to Child Study Team to provide additional support from other school personnel   Helpful Websites www.education.unisa.edu.au/bullying/ www.nasbe.org/Educational_Issues/Policy_Updates/11_10.html