Acts of Kindness

What is bullying?

Bullying, it can take many forms - physical, verbal or social. While there is no set definition for bullying in general, all these forms have a similar characteristic: they can cause extreme distress.

What is the difference between bullying and harassment?

 

How common is bullying?

Measuring bullying is a difficult science. Through observation, interviews and questionnaires are key to often determining the severity of bullying in schools. However, these can sometimes produce conflicting reports on the scale of bullying. Even with confidential questionnaires, it can be difficult for young people involved in bullying to admit to themselves the truth of what is happening, let alone to admit this to others.

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What are the warning signs of bullying?

Being Bullied

• Reluctant to go to school or certain places.

• Silent about what is happening at school.

• Frequent lost or damaged possessions.

• Academic problems.

• Difficulty concentrating.

• Low self-esteem.

• Social isolation.

• Quiet, depressed, irritable, or anxious.

Bullying Others

• Gets into physical or verbal fights with others.

• Enjoys putting others down.

• Has extra money or new belongings that cannot be explained.

• Disrespects authority and disregards rules.

• Has an attitude of superiority.

• Quick to blame others.

• Needs to have power or control over others.

• Enjoys violence.

 

Are some children more likely to get bullied than others?

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While there are studies that show a general picture  for bullies. A typical bully has low self-esteem. In those regards, Bullying can happen to anyone, at any time in their school career. Ethnicity, disabilities and religious beliefs often are factors. Some research suggests social skills and certain characteristics can also be linked to being bullied, however an individuals low self-esteem or anxiousness do not always indicate they will or have been bullied.

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Where does bullying take place?

Bullying most commonly occurs on school playgrounds. It can also occur in classroom settings.

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Are schools required to educate students on bullying?

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The School Bullying Prevention Act, became effective November 1, 2002, and requires the school board of each district to adopt a policy for the control and discipline of all children attending public school in that district by specifically prohibiting harassment, intimidation, and bullying by students at school and to address prevention of and education about such behavior. In developing this policy, the local Boards of Education are asked to involve the teachers, parents, and students affected. Students, parents, and teachers shall be notified by the district’s Board of Education of its adoption of the policy.

In addition, schools that receive federal funding are required by federal law to address discrimination on a number of different personal characteristics. The statutes the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) enforces include:

• Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin;

• Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex;

• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504); and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (Title II). Section 504 and Title II prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability.

 

Are there differences in school locations?

Studies show that school size, religious orientation, the ethnicity of its pupils, whether it is privately or publicly funded, or the social class or wealth of the parents of the children at the school has unknown correlation on the level of bullying.

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How to raise bullying awareness in schools?

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A one time program often does little to change the bullying climate in schools. Psyhologists and school counselors often suggest a multi-tiered approach where attention is focused on creating and school-wide, classroom, and individual awareness. With the help of Acts of Kindness campaigns, schools can become well informed and educated on bullying, and anti-bullying steps. The addition of the following can also help schools become more involved:

• Social media campaigns

• School pledges

• Banner pledges

• Anti-bullying week (State week is 1st week in October)

• Assembly

• Student presented/student developed presentations

• Student Surveys

• Prevention incorporated into curriculum

• PSA assignments

• Anti-bullying art contest

• Community campaigns 

• Poster contests

• Morning announcements

• Anonymous reporting box/random acts of kindness box

• “Mix-it-up” lunch or class seating

 

How do I get involved?

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Schools can get gain access to Acts of Kindness programs by signing up valid contact and school information for free. Teachers will then gain access to educational materials and Acts of Kindness intranet for further content to help eliminate bullying in their school.

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What if my child is not involved in a public school?

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Parents and communities can also join Acts of Kindness for free by signing up on the community sign up link. All educational content will be made available to help educate bullying to your children or community.

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What will Russell be featured in?

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Russell the Robin is Acts of Kindness spokesbird, featured in many promotional items, website and educational content. He is featured in the new video series “What’s the Bird’ where he works through bullying scenarios students can follow along with.

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What do the educational videos teach?

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Each 12 minute educational video discusses different bullying scenarios, from witnessing bullying, bullying others and being a victim of bullying. Students will learn how to see the warning signs and proper ways to handle each situation. All videos come with additional education materials for students and teachers to utilize before, during and after each video.

Grades 1-4

• Identify and define bullying behaviors.

• Practice skills to diffuse and avoid a “bully.”

• Understand how to report bullying behaviors.

• Identify forms of harassing behaviors.

• Recognize the difference between teasing and bullying behaviors.

Grades 5-8

• Identify and demonstrate violence prevention skills.

• Identify ways to resolve problems and prevent violence.