Bullying Prevention

At TRES and in Frederick County Public Schools, we have a zero tolerance policy for bullying and harassment.  The following are definitions and strategies that can help students deal with problems that may occur.  PLEASE contact TRES if you have any concerns about your child.

DEFINITIONS: These definitions are taught in my 3rd grade physical safety lesson.

Bullying: When one or more people hurt you, your feelings (or is just plain mean to you) repeatedly AND on purpose.

• Although an isolated event does not constitute bullying, it may require adult intervention.

Target: The person the bully picks on.

Ally: One or more people who stand up to the bully or help the target.

Bystander: One or more people who watch the bullying happen, but do not do anything to help.

What can you do to keep your child safe?

• Monitor your child's Internet activity - Email, instant messaging, and chat rooms make it very easy for rumors to spread, and arguments and harsh words to be said.   Disagreements that may start face-to-face often escalate on the Internet, because it's much easier to say something cruel on the Internet than it is to say something cruel face-to-face.  Keep your child safe by by setting up rules for appropriate use, helping them create good passwords that they will not share with their friends to keep accounts such as email and Webkinz safe, and monitoring their time online.  You'd be surprised to learn how many kids use their names as passwords.  Additionally, kids also don't always want to just "log off" if someone says something mean, because that's often seen as admitting defeat.
• Pay attention to your child's behaviors - Changes in behavior and affect (headaches, nervousness, sleeplessness, etc.) could indicate a concern.  Let your child know that he/she can talk to you if someone is being mean to them.
• Build self-esteem - Children who have self-confidence and a good group of friends are less likely to become targets.  Help your child figure out his/her hobbies and interests; enroll your child in a club or after-school activity that he/she may enjoy (Scouts, sports, TRES clubs, etc.); arrange play dates for your child, so that he/she can spend time with friends outside of school.  I also run self-esteem groups at school.
• Teach coping skills - Teach your child to show confidence on the outside by walking tall, keeping his/her head up, using a firm voice to say "stop it" or "leave me alone", walking away from individuals that may be bothering them, ignoring little problems, and telling an adult when problems are too big.  Read Simon's Hook by Karen Gedig Burnett with your child and practice the coping skills discussed in the book, such as: not biting the hook and make a joke, agree with the teaser, and change the subject.
• Contact your child's teacher, me, or an administrator if you have concerns.  Sometimes problems occur, and we want to take care of them as soon as possible so that they don't escalate.  Your child's teacher is the first line of defense, but if you feel like you need additional support, contact me or an administrator.