Bullies
and
School Safety |
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The Kids on the Block Program on Bullies & School Safety has been developed to educate children about what constitutes bullying, promote sensitivity toward peers, provide specific strategies to make schools a safer place, and help children avoid or cope with bad situations. |
EXPERTS SPEAK OUT! "Bullying behavior may seem rather insignificant compared to kids bringing guns to school and getting involved with drugs. Bullying is often dismissed as part of growing up. But it's actually an early form of aggressive violent behavior. Statistics show that one in four children who bully will have a criminal record before the age of 30." ~National Crime Prevention Council |
63% state that bullying and teasing of students at school is highly important as a cause of recent school shootings. More than half polled believe that it is likely a school shooting could happen in their community. About 1/5 parents admit that their school-aged children expressed worry about feeling unsafe at school. 49% feel that government and society can take action that will be effective in preventing school shootings from happening again. ~Information taken from the Gallup Organization's Gallup Poll Service |
This program contains three scripts which focus on different aspects of bullying and school safety. The Script, You're Not the Boss of Me!, examines a bullying situation and explores ways the child being bullied can address the problem. Safe at School explores school safety plans and how kids may be involved in the development and implementation of such a plan. The final script, Rescue or Report, addresses ways in which children who witness teasing or bullying behavior can respond to help diffuse the situation. |
"We all have to watch
out for each other. As long as bullies think it's ok to pick on other
kids, they'll keep doing it. If I look the other way when somebody
else is getting teased or picked on, then I might be the bully's next target!
Helping to stop the bully situation is a lot better than standing around
watching! And if everyone in the whole school is standing up to the
bullies, what're they gonna do... pick on everybody?"
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"Schools are really
glad we're offering the program. It's a positive program that's been
well-received. People are looking for something to address this issue.
They're glad to have this available."
"It's a really good
program, especially for the time. It's going over really well.
The kids even clap when Clare gets on her soapbox."
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