BULLYING
Bullying is a serious problem in homes, schools, and communities. Often dismissed as an adolescent "rite of passage," research clearly indicates bullying is learned behavior and detrimental to the academic, physical, social, and emotional development of all involved bullies, targets and the bystanders who witness it. Bullying is not only a problem of youth but is one that spans all ages. Despite volumes of research, countless "anti-bullying " programs and increased scrutiny by the media, bullying continues to pervade our culture and our schools. It is a complex social issue requiring determination, leadership and courage to address. Although it is a difficult challenge, it cannot be ignored . A wave of recent bullying incidents with tragic outcomes has shed a renewed light on the issue. The advent of technology allowing for impulsive, anonymous and rapid communication, has expanded the opportunities for bullying to a degree that necessitates more innovative and immediate responses than ever before. What is Bullying at school?. What are the symptoms?. Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Bullying includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose.
With the release of the film Bully and daily news reports about the devastating impact on students who have been relentlessly bullied, teachers find themselves on the front line in addressing bullying. It is time to move into action. Not In Our School offers solutions-based strategies and tools for change to a network of schools that are working to create safe, inclusive and accepting climates. The core ideas and actions of Not In Our School include. The entire school community unites to say Not in Our School. This could take many forms buttons, banners,...