Turning Bullies into Buddies

What is Bullying?
BULLY--verb          
1: to treat abusively
2: to affect by means of force or coercion

 Bullying is:
•  Deliberate
•  Repetitive
•  An imbalance of power

 Bullying is NOT:
A normal part of growing up

What do you call a group of bullies?
A GANG!           

How Can an Afterschool Program  
Make a Difference? 
•  Make everyone aware of what bullying is and why it occurs.
•  Make adults aware of the extent of  bullying at the site. Involve everyone in improving the situation.
•  Form strong social norms against bullying.
•  Provide support and protection for all  students.
•  Have students pledge not to bully other students, help students who are bullied and include students who are left out.  

Here’s  HELP!
Prime Time and the After School Reads program of the Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County are providing FREE training and materials for afterschool staff to help students with bullying concerns.  These tangible experiences are sure to make a difference in the lives of the children you serve.  

INTRODUCING
Turning Bullies into Buddies
The Turning Bullies into Buddies program involves ongoing activities to be presented initially a few times per week for approximately 3 months and once a month thereafter.

There are books for read-alouds. There are also activities to get kids moving and involved including music, songs, dance, arts and crafts...and even a few subject related cooking and science activities! 

Program Overview
UNIT I Education: What bullying is, where and why it happens and who is involved.
UNIT II Action: What you and your kids can do about bullying.
UNIT III Prevention: Bullying occurs when character weaknesses prevail.  Let’s do some character building.

UNIT IV Reinforcement: Ongoing efforts to make sure you are getting results and your kids are feeling safer.

“We’ve got to dispel the myth that bullying is just a normal rite of passage – that it’s some inevitable part of growing up. It’s not. We have an obligation to ensure…all of our kids are safe.”  
 President Barack Obama

“We’re talking about a call to action for students, parents, teachers, coaches, and school administrators, anyone who comes in contact with children [who] are subject to being bullied. We’ve got to keep our children safe….”
   Dr. Phil

“Will you be the rock that redirects the course of the river?”
   Claire Nuer, Conflict Resolution Expert

Effects of Bullying
On the Child Who is Bullied...

Physical
Stomach Aches
Drug & Alcohol Issues
Weight Loss/Gain
Physical Aggression
Headaches
Drop in Grades
Increases in Absentee Rate 

Emotional
Alienation   
Vengefulness
Low Self-Esteem
Anger
Insecurity
Aggression
Fear
Withdrawal
Depression
Homicidal Thoughts
Suicidal Thoughts

On the Child Who Bullies...
Studies show that children identified as bullies by age 8 are six times more likely to be convicted of a crime by age 24.
(Brewster & Railsback)

60% of kids characterized as bullies in 6th through 9th grades had at least one criminal conviction by age 24.  
(Brewster & Railsback)

Bullies are five times more likely to end up with a serious criminal record by age 30.   (National Association of School Psychologists)

On the Child Who Witnesses Bullying:
Children who are bystanders to bullying can feel:
Fearful:“Maybe I will be targeted next!”                
Guilty: “I should try to stop this, but I am afraid.”       
Distracted: ”I cannot focus on my school work.”   

In adherence to our mission of ensuring high quality afterschool programming, Prime Time Palm Beach County urges afterschool programs to establish safe & supportive environments which are non-conducive to bullying. Towards this goal, Prime Time encourages afterschool practitioners, youth and our community to treat each other with sensitivity, empathy, understanding & trust.

For more information, call the Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County at (561) 279-9103.