Bullying Prevention

Dear NEAAAT Family, 

NEAAAT is dedicated to ensuring a bully-free environment in our school. To meet our goal, we will begin implementation of an anti-bullying program. The purpose of our Bullying Prevention Program is to improve the school climate, educate students and parents, and ensure the safety of our students. Preventing bullying is possible; however, it takes all of us working together to make it happen. The coaches at NEAAAT understand the program and their role in this program. All students at NEAAAT have been made aware of the program so they know what to expect. We also need you, as a parent/guardian, to help by discussing the issue of bullying with your student and encouraging them to make positive choices. Details of this program are included below.

Behavior Intervention Steps

The following steps address bullying behavior occurring at Level I per the Northeast Academy for Aerospace and Advanced Technologies team handbook. These behaviors include, but are not limited to, teasing, name-calling, spreading rumors; exclusion; gossiping; and other forms of put-downs.

1st Bullying Report:

• Any report made to a staff member will be documented in the discipline reporting system as a minor incident.
• The reporting student will receive instruction on completing the online bullying report by the coach who received the complaint.
• The offending student will receive individual education about bullying by the coach who received the complaint.
• The parent/guardian will be notified by telephone or other methods of communication that education at this level took place.

2nd Bullying Report:

• A second report made to a staff member will be documented in the discipline reporting system as a minor referral.
• The reporting student will be instructed by the staff member to complete an online bullying report.
• The school counselor will meet with the reporting student and notify their parent of the incident.
• The offending student will be required to participate in the In-School Bullying Prevention Program with a school counselor. (Note: participation in this program is mandatory and consequences will occur at the administration level for failure to attend).
• The school counselor will notify the parent/guardian by telephone and follow-up with a letter.
• The parent/guardian will also receive an informational pamphlet about bullying.

3rd Bullying Report:

• The offending student will receive a referral to the Administrative team.
• At this level, an investigation will occur and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken.

Bullying Facts For Students

What is Bullying?

Bullying is any hurtful or aggressive act toward a person or group of people that is done on purpose and is done over and over again. Bullying is cruel, disrespectful and not allowed at the school. Some acts of bullying break the laws when they become extortion, battery, and sexual abuse or hate behaviors.

What do bullies do to others?

An individual or group can bully using actions or words. They might:

• Punch, hit, pinch, shove, choke, trip or bite.
• Corner a person, ruin their belongings or take their money.
• Give dirty looks, ignore a person or leave them out.
• Call names, use put-downs, or threaten people.
• Write nasty notes or start rumors.
• Make fun of a person’s looks, religion, family, or problems.
• Use email, text messages, websites or the Internet to bully others.

How does bullying hurt students or a school?

Targets:

• Are emotionally or physically hurt.
• Feel afraid, lonely, embarrassed or humiliated.
• Sometimes avoid school.
• May decide to get even and bully back.

Bullies:

• May grow up to be adult bullies.
• May miss out on learning.
• May become involved in criminal activity.

Parent Tips on Bullying

The first step to keeping your student safe, whether in-person or online, is to ensure they know the facts.

• Educate your student about bullying. Once they know what bullying is, they will be able to identify it more easily, whether it is happening to them or someone else.
• Talk openly and frequently to your student. The more you talk to your student about bullying, the more comfortable they will be telling you if they see or experience it. Check in with your student daily and ask about their time at school and their activities online, inquiring, not only about their classes and activities, but also about their feelings.
• Help your student be a positive role model. There are three parties to bullying: the victim, the perpetrator, and the bystander. Even if students are not victims of bullying, they can prevent bullying by being inclusive, respectful and kind to their peers. If they witness bullying, they can stick up for the victim, offer support, and/or question bullying behaviors.
• Help build your student’s self confidence. Encourage your student to enroll in classes or join activities they love in your community. This will also help build confidence as well as a group of friends with shared interests.
• Be a role model. Show your student how to treat other children and adults with kindness and respect by doing the same to the people around you, including speaking up when others are being mistreated. Children look to their parents/guardians as examples of how to behave, including what to post online.
• Be part of their online experience. Familiarize yourself with the platforms your student uses, explain to your student how the online and the offline world are connected, and warn them about the different risks they’ll face online.

Signs Your Student Is Being Bullied

Look closely. Observe student’s emotional state, as they may not express their concerns verbally. Signs to look out for include:

• Physical marks such as unexplained bruises, scratches, broken bones and healing wounds
• Fear of going to school or joining school events
• Being anxious, nervous or very vigilant
• Having few friends in school or outside of school
• Losing friends suddenly or avoiding social situations
• Clothing, electronics or other personal belongings being lost or destroyed
• Often asking for money
• Low academic performance
• Absenteeism, or calling from school asking to go home
• Trying to stay near adults
• Not sleeping well and may be having nightmares
• Complaining of headaches, stomach aches, or other physical ailments
• Regularly distressed after spending time online or on their phone (without a reasonable explanation)
• Becomes unusually secretive, especially when it comes to online activities
• Being aggressive or having angry outbursts

Talk openly. Talk to your students about what they think is good and bad behavior in school, in the community, and online. It is important to have open communication so that your student will feel comfortable telling you about what is happening in their lives.