Rio Rancho Public Schools - Bullying Prevention Resources Overview

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What works to counteract bullying?
What is the role of parents and the community?
What new solutions or programs could help prevent bullying?

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Tips for Principals, Teachers, Parents to Help Prevent Bullying

Five Tips to Help Principals Prevent Bullying

Practice What You Preach
Don't use your status as the school leader as the lever for change; instead, "listen before talking and reflect before acting" to ensure your staff feel valued.
Assess the Extent of the Problem
Survey students, staff and parents to find out how much and what type of bullying is going, as well as where and when, to target prevention efforts.
Develop a School-wide Code of Conduct
One that reinforces school values and clearly defines unacceptable behavior and consequences. Empower bystanders -- teachers and especially students -- to help enforce it by training them to identify and respond to inappropriate behavior.
Increase Adult Supervision
Most bullying happens when adults are not present, so make sure they are "visible and vigilant" in hallways, stairwells, cafeterias and locker rooms.
Conduct Bullying Prevention Activities
Such as all-school assemblies, communications campaigns or creative arts contests highlighting school values to bring the community together and reinforce the message that bullying is wrong.

(These tips were adapted from articles by James Dillon from Principal magazine, Sept/Oct 2010 and Ted Feinberg from Principal Leadership, Sept. 2003.)

Five Tips to Help Teachers Prevent Bullying

Know Your School and District Policies on Bullying
Do your part to implement them effectively.
Treat Students and Others with Warmth and Respect
Let students know that you are available to listen and help them.
Conduct Classroom Activities around Bullying
Help your class identify bullying in books, TV shows and movies, and discuss the impact of that bullying and how it was/could be resolved. Hold class meetings in which students can talk about bullying and peer relations.
Discuss Bullying with Colleagues
As a group, you will be better able to monitor the school environment. Discuss both bullying in general and concerns regarding specific students.
Take Immediate Action
Failure to act provides tacit approval of the behavior and can cause it to spread.

(These tips were adapted from NEA's Bully Free: It Starts With Me and AFT's See A Bully, Stop A Bully campaign resources.)

Five Tips to Help Parents Prevent Bullying

Parents and guardians are among a school's best allies in bullying prevention:

Talk with and Listen to Your Children Everyday
Ask questions about their school day, including experiences on the way to and from school, lunch, and recess. Ask about their peers.
Spend time at School and Recess
Schools can lack the resources to provide all students individualized attention during "free" time like recess. Volunteer at your child's school during these times.
Be a Good Example
When you get angry at waiters, other drivers or others, model effective communication techniques. As Education.com puts it, "Any time you speak to another person in a mean or abusive way, you're teaching your child that bullying is ok."
Create Healthy Anti-Bullying Habits
Starting as young as possible, coach your children on both what not to do (push, tease, and be mean to others) as well as what to do (be kind, empathize, and take turns). Also coach your child on what to do if someone is mean to him or to another (get an adult, tell the bully to stop, walk away-ignore the bully).
Make Sure Your Child Understands Bullying
Explain what it is and that it's not normal or tolerable for them to bully, be bullied, or stand by and watch other kids be bullied.

(These tips were adapted from materials by the National PTA and Education.com.)

Rachel's Challenge Supports Anti-Bullying Message in RRPS:

Rachel Scott's acts of kindness and compassion have become the foundation for one of the most life-changing school programs in America. The program has been presented at all RRPS secondary schools and to staff district wide.
The Five Challenges:
#1 Eliminate prejudice – look for the best in others

#2 Dare to dream – set goals and keep a journal

#3 Choose positive influences – input determines output

#4 Kind words – little acts of kindness

#5 START A CHAIN REACTION!

For more information about Rachel’s Challenge visit:
www.rachelschallenge.org/

Other RRPS initiatives and programs used to enforce our anti-bullying stance include: Positive Behavior Support, Love and Logic, Second Step, Why Try?, Protecting You, Protecting Me.

Anti-Bullying Documents