A recent CNN News study of 558 Midwestern middle school students revealed that more than 80 percent of students surveyed admitted they act like bullies at least once a month.
The students said their bullying behavior included physical aggression, social ridicule, teasing, name-calling, and threats, according to the CNN report.
Oxford Middle School Assistant Principal Jeff Beane is not going to let it happen here anymore.
‘We are trying to teach kids to care about each other and create a caring community,? Beane said.
Last spring, Beane tested a pilot anti-bullying program at the middle school that was developed by a committee of parents, staff and school administrators.
Using existing programs as a model, the team patterned its program to specifically fit the OMS climate, Beane said. ‘Last year, our sixth graders were taught the program and they really got excited,? said Beane.
Based on the positive results from the pilot program, the team is refining its elements to fit into the sixth and seventh grade curriculum by December. Next year, the program will be included in the eighth grade as well.
Beane said the program has a multidisciplinary approach to bully-proofing the school which involves school administrators, teachers, and parents.
Each class will be guided by two trained facilitators who oversee group activities, written lessons, and focused discussions.Topics of the classes include how students and staff should handle and avoid bullying situations ranging from gossip to physical aggression.
The course includes lessons to create a more caring culture within the school; presentations, resource materials and warning signs for parents; and finally lessons explaining the consequences of specific behaviors.
Beane said a successful program must have school staff taking responsibility and becoming involved in the entire process from intervention to administering consequences for unacceptable behavior The scope of consequences ranges from education to verbal intervention to reflecting on the situation.
‘We will look at the type of offence, or patterns first,? Beane said. ‘If there is a communication system to report the incident then the team can identify a pattern. We’re looking for patterns to stop it, not to label it.?
The idea of the program is to create a more caring community where staff and students have a higher conscious level within the building.
So far, Beane said it’s working.
‘We are already seeing results without the consequence plans (in place) yet,? said Beane. ‘We have seen less student-to-student (conflict) issues than we did last year.?